About Robyn
Robyn Openshaw is the author or editor of 10 titles, including the bestselling book
The Green Smoothies Diet, the children's book,
The Adventures of Junk Food Dude, and the course
12 Steps to Whole Foods. She’s passionate about overthrowing the Standard American Diet by teaching people to eat more whole foods easily, inexpensively, and deliciously. She’s the mom of 4 competitive athletes as well as a runner, cyclist, skier, and competitive tennis player. She travels all over the world speaking to sold-out audiences and studying non-toxic cancer treatment for her next project.
Seriously? If you are still counting calories then maybe this program isn’t for you. Or maybe it hasn’t sunk in all the way yet. If you do some research you’ll find that eating healthy isn’t about counting calories. Its about eating food that doesn’t all come in cardboard and plastic. Its about growing your own food.
Obviously the caloric count would depend on what was in the green smoothie. But everything in it is usually so good for you, that if you are counting it against your diet then you really aren’t thinking clearly!
I actually have, and promptly forgot! It just wasn’t that interesting…
Using the following amounts:
3/4 lb spinach
1 small avocado
2 small bananas
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups filtered water
——————————————
Total amounts For 1 Serving
Calories 630
Calories from Fat 262
% of Daily value for 2000 kcal
Total Fat 29 g 120 %
Saturated Fat 4 g 200 %
Cholesterol 0 mg 0 %
Sodium 295 mg 59 %
Total Carbohydrate 94 g 110 %
Dietary Fiber 27 g 108 %
Sugars 41 g
Protein 16 g 18 %
Vitamin A 648 % Vitamin C 238 %
Calcium 39 % Iron 61 %
Mine are 210. I don’t use any oil.
I know mine has 420. I just added up all the stuff I throw in mine and divided it by the containers I put mine in. I was wondering too! My containers are 20oz.
I think it depends on what is in them-try using a calorie counter for you favorite one and see what you come up with–mine have varied from 200 to 450 calories usually.
I think it would be hard to determine a caloric count as the green smoothies concoctions vary so much in content. Do you keep track of calories? As a raw foodist, it doesn’t even cross my mind to count…
Somewhere I stumbled on your quiz, but I cannot find the proper post for telling you my score. I scored a 99. And yes, I have been a vegetarian for 14 years…the last 3 of which I have been a raw food vegan. In addition, green smoothies have been part of my life for 1 1/2 years now. A dear raw food friend introduced me to the pond sludge (my term of endearment) drinks. My now 5-year old son even drinks them daily — has been since day one too.
My focus is simple eating and drinking. I think it is the best route for achieving success and maintaining great health. By the way, I try not to lurk from the (green) bushes…I have commented several times before!
Blessings.
Robyn, how long does fresh coconut water last? what would be the best way to store it? I have like 8 coconuts that I need to get the meat out of since I think they are getting bad–can i just keep the coconut water in a pitcher for a week or so or does it go bad? (thanks!)
I used DietPower to do so, and it’s 400 calories in a quart.
A little off the subject but I have not been able to drink/eat more than 1 pint of the greensmoothie at one meal. I am sooo full…how can you drink more? I am new here and am still using our Bosch blender…perhaps it is too coarse and not “smooth” enough?
Wow, why is counting calories justification for such harshness?
Wow some of you can be so rude!
I think people ought to feel welcome and that it’s okay to ask questions, even if the question seems redundant, unimportant, or not on the same wavelength of thinking as others. We’re all here to learn, grow, and share. So, if someone feels the need to ask a question about calories, let them. I too think health comes from not overthinking or counting calories, but that’s my opinion and I’m aware others have their own as well, as dictated by their life experiences and understanding. Thanks.
I think there are times that watching your calories has justification—I think sometimes eating this way you can get too LITTLE calories (under certain circumstanced) I am nursing and wasn’t able to get enough calories – and only when I had an idea of what things were and really tried hard to get more-was when I stopped gaining weight. (my body was in starvation) I’m sure everyone else would lose weight in that circumstance I just think it’s good to habe an idea of how much things are. –then I know if I have a lower calorie lunch or breakfast I need to have more than a salad for dinner, etc. I think that having a general idea is good really. i’ve had to really concentrate on getting my hubby enough calories too–since he can’t eat like me and thrive.
Considering that not everyone is a raw foodist that reads this blog and may just be getting the hang of the program, I don’t think it’s an absurd question to ask about calorie content. I know from my own personal experience, I tracked calories for a couple of months to make sure I was getting enough. I was training for my first 5K and exercising 6 days a week. I get so full eating raw that I discovered I wasn’t eating nearly enough calories to sustain a healthy lifestyle. So really, I think it’s a bit harsh to criticize anyone for how they choose to track what they eat. Some count calories for awhile, some journal, some do nothing. It doesn’t make anyone a better raw foodist, vegan, vegetarian, or whatever label you choose to use. Kudos to everyone who is making a change for the better.
Truly, eating healthy is not just a health issue for some….
Unfortunatly, as Robin mentioned earlier this month about those of us who struggle CONSTANTLY with T3 and T4 blood levels, weight gain can be an issue even on green smoothies. Many should feel blessed they do not struggle with these issues. For those of us who do, we have to watch every calorie or we will not be able to tell when we just enjoyed something even a little too much or if the medications are out of whack, which can happen quite fast. It is not unusual for me to gain as much as 7-10lbs in a week leaving me with a real challenge to get it off!
Regularly, I ONLY have my green smoothies made with only as little fruit as necessary and bulk greens and a little Stevia, making my daily caloric intake well under the 900/day mark when my blood levels are awry. I just split it into three containers and enjoy when I am hungry. Yes they can be quite filling when you get used to eating smaller quantities.
When I walk (my usual 5mi/d) or ride (28mi on occassion) and gain weight, every calorie is important. I do eat 90-95% raw (I need some legumes/lentils to satisfy my cravings for warm food) and still struggle with calories and weight.
I would say that if calories are important for you than watch the amount of fruits and extras you add to make sure you aren’t carried away by their marvelous tastes. If you like a little sweeter, Stevia is always an option other than agave.
Thank all of you with kind words and suggestions! I got alot of positive feedback. That was what I was looking for.
Thanks for the support.
Robyn –
I decided to add up calories today and was very surprised to find out that 1 date has 66 calories. 1/4 cup of dates would be about 4 dates then, I think. Is that right?
Granted, 1/4 cup M&M’s has about the same calories as 1/4 cup dates. Of course I have NO problem eating the 1/4 cup M&M’s
hee hee
I guess when you put it in that light, dates seem like a really good choice, since they do have nutritional value, unlike M&M’s
I am just surprised to find out they are a calorically dense food. I would have guessed otherwise.
I am very curious what Brenna puts in her smoothie to keep it at 210?? Also, thanks Robyn for recommending Vitamineral. I just got it a couple days ago and already I notice a difference in my energy! Wow – talk about pond sludge – but it really doesn’t taste bad. My dog even likes it in a little chicken broth.
I think that getting enough calories is equaly important on any diet, longterm. Undereating in calories in my oppinion will lead to the supplementation in diet and eventualy back to the coocked food. Ultimately, body needs, what it needs.
As noted before, I don’t count calories, ever. But I had a friend who DOES plug all my standard ingredients into DietPower to get 400. About 450-500 if you add fat (1 Tbsp. flax oil, for instance).
The more greens, and the less fruit and high-fat items like flax oil and avocado, the lower the calories. But avocado and flax oil are still good foods. (I don’t like putting avocado in my GS because then it disappears where I don’t even notice it, and I love avocado in any form, especially guacamole!) Also just use stevia as a sweetener. I recently bought 1 lb. bags of unrefined stevia leaf. It’s probably not for everyone–unrefined, which is great, but has an “herby” taste in addition to the sweetness.
Max, I don’t know because I eat rather voraciously and can EASILY drink a whole quart of GS in one sitting, especially if I have no other foods. This may be because this time of year, I am playing sports 2-3 hours a day, but whatever–I eat a ton!! Thanks goodness most of the foods I eat are low in calories.
VitaMineral Green for dogs–awesome!
Raw Food Mamma, 99 on the quiz–you’re an inspiration!!
I wanted to ask you all if you thought cashews are an ok snack? I hear there are good nuts and bad nuts. I am aware of walnuts and almonds being healthy but not sure what other nuts. Help!!!!
Cashews are a good whole food. However, they are never truly raw, and they are acidic. So avoid them if you’re trying to make your food as alkaline as possible, and don’t consider them as highly nutritious as, for instance, truly raw and sprouted almonds.
I appreciated this question because I have a problem of not getting enough calories in my diet, therefore I am not losing weight. This definitely helps me in my weight-loss goal.
Laura
Robyn, given what you wrote here about cashews (acidic, not highly nutritious), I’m wondering why your Hot Pink Breakfast Smoothie calls for cashews. Wouldn’t it better with almonds, then, if almonds are a superior nut?
I know that all nuts are not created equal, (like peanuts). What are the nuts that you recommend for the best nutritional value? Brazil, almonds, pumpkin, sunflower, walnuts. Any other suggestions?