Plain Greek yogurt is probably dense enough to be a good subtitute. I love it in my own smoothies!

Chia seeds would work well - either soak them in water for 10 or so minutes before you add them to your blender, or grind them up and add the powder -then drink your smoothie right away so that the chia seed powder doesn't turn the whole thing into a gelatinous blob :)

Pineapple, mango, or cantaloupe might be good, although you don't absolutely need to substitute anything in place of bananas. Just use more of the other ingredients. Bananas help make smoothies a bit thicker but a drink won't be ruined by leaving them out. It also helps the consistency to freeze the fruits you're using, especially those that have a lot of juice that might loosen up the smoothie more than you want. Blend them first and slowly add in whatever liquids you're using - milk, juice, or water - until you get the consistency you want. (I worked at a smoothie shop for 6 years. Trust me, I'm a professional!)

Silken tofu works very well in smoothies!

I just leave them out. I really dislike them. I don't miss them.

Avocados are delicious in smoothies

I never use bananas. I use frozen blueberries, strawberries or mangos. I also use low fat Greek yogurt. Using frozen fruit and Greek yogurt makes the smoothie a little thicker. Sometimes I toss in a couple of ice cubes if I want it to stay colder longer.

Yep, what ALLEZ said!

Like others have said you don't really need anything. If you want the creamy texture avocado or yogurt both work well, but they will not be as sweet.

Avocados are great for that thick and smooth texture in smoothies. The flavor is very subtle too, but oh so good!

Second the avocado comment. I've been very surprised at how much body and creaminess it adds without making your smoothie taste like guacamole at all.

Silken tofu! I'm partial to the almond flavour.

love this post--I detest bananas. totally trying an avocado in mine this morning. and i also second the oatmeal, it's my new favorite ingredient!

I think banana is mostly good for texture, but as others have said, you don't have to use them. Whole Living has a ton of smoothie recipes, many of which don't use bananas: http://www.wholeliving.com/135929/smoothie-recipes/@center/155850/healthy-breakfasts#/155837

Also, I like to use frozen pumpkin puree, a couple dashes of pumpkin pie spice, almond milk and ice for a nice change.

A few soaked cashews or a bit of almond meal will also make it creamy.

I used dry rolled oats, 1/4 to add whole grains and extra bulk.

Also, unsweetened shredded coconut is delicious, about 2-3 T for one large smoothie.

Also, pears will add the same creamy texture as a banana. Freeze chunks of pear on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Use instead of ice cubes to add LOTS of flavor and fiber without watering down you smoothie.

I also use sweet black seedless grapes the same way and they work beautifully since they have a high water content. Freeze like the pears, add a handful or two along with berries and it's REALLY delicious!

If you are lucky enough to live in an area with fresh dates they add delicious sweetness and tons of fiber and vitamins. You can still buy them not so fresh and soak in just enough water to cover when tightly packed to plump up. Toss the soaking water into the smoothie along with the dates.

One tip I have for those who don't like bananas. I used to HATE bananas in smoothies, but I freeze them in chunks when they are not fully ripe, while there is still a bit of green on the skin. They haven't developed that strong banana flavor yet so they get masked in a smoothie by the berries or other fruits you'll use if you only add 3-5 chunks (about 1" chunks) to the blender. It still allows for some creamy texture at a CHEAPER price than avocados or pears. I was able to develop more of a taste for them this way.

If you're looking for something that replaces the creaminess rather than the sweetness, I also recommend a couple dollops of your favorite nut butter.

I almost always use frozen fruit for creaminess. Or, if you have a very high quality blender (e.g. Vitamix), a couple of ice cubes will do the trick.

I hate bananas in smoothies. Apples are great for adding general "bulk" if that's what you're looking to replace in the smoothie recipe. (I admit I'm a little mystified why you'd use a recipe - throw in favorite fruits and veggies, bam, done.. :P )

No sugar added apple sauce is an even easier way to add thickness to a smoothie if you don't feel like chopping up an apple.

Just lower the liquid amounts as well as ice, if you use it. If he's allergic to bananas he probably also would have issues with avocados (they both contain a latex like protein which causes allergic reactions).

I actually love bananas, but my body does not. I've had a sensitivity to them for years now, and I've been adding all sorts of things to my smoothies to bulk them up, like peanut butter, oatmeal, and coconut milk (my favorite - so tropical!). I don't mind smoothies without the thicker texture, but sometimes I'm looking for them to fill me up. When I don't add these thicker ingredients, I just add more fruit (pineapple and berries) to balance out the greens I had to mine.

Thank you so much for this post. While I LOVE bananas, I'm now a dialysis patient and had to give them up because of the amount of potassium it has.

Discovered this in a homemade baby food book - avocado and frozen mango with fresh lime juice. To die for.

Ah, yes...I spent several years banana-free and smoothie-heavy thanks to major food sensitivities, and therefore did a lot of experimenting! Pears, as was already mentioned, are the best substitute, or frozen mango; both have the same sweetness and thickening ability as bananas. Add some avocado for creaminess. Protein powders or ground flax or chia lend more "body" to the smoothie, especially if you let it sit for a few minutes.

i love adding apples to smoothies. they definitely make smoothies more filling, and add the same natural sweetness that a banana does. oranges also are good for sweetening smoothies, as are dates. i use almond milk to add creaminess.

this morning, i made this smoothie: 3 large carrots, 4 oranges, 1 inch nob ginger, 1 c almond milk-- made two huge smoothies.

we also make this one often: 2 leaves kale, 1 mango, 2-3 oranges, 1 c almond milk. sooooo good

Instead of bananas, I suggest mangoes, melons, papaya and avocados. If you can get your hands on some unripe green mangoes, they're great too. Just remember that they're quite sour. You can also use berries or even apples and pears.

You can actually just use any fruit or vegetable for your smoothie. My dad sometimes makes smoothies with so many types of fruits that I can't remember what he placed in them. And, my mom accidentally discovered that tomatoes are great in fruit smoothies too. (After all, it is a fruit, right?)

I'm not sure if your husband's banana allergy is associated with a latex allergy. If it is, you might need to be cautious subbing in certain ingredients if they are something he doesn't eat often or has not eaten lately (avocados, pineapple, chestnut, kiwi, mango, passionfruit, strawberry, figs, cashews, apples, melons and soy). They have a similar protein that can cross react in allergic individuals. Food allergies are the pits. Good luck with the smoothie experimenting!

You can blend in tofu to make smoothies thicker

rice milk (or soya or normal milk), blueberries, oats, flaxseed and crushed pumpkin seed nuts. Add strawberries if you like.

laura x
www.coffeetoastandlondon.com

I never use bananas, avocados, tofu, or yogurt in my green smoothies. I do add ground flax/chia seeds, but that's for the nutrition, not for the texture/flavor. Greens Veg Fruit is my blog where I write about green smoothies (and other things) with recipes and tips.

Just as a side note to all who suggested avocadoes. Generally banana allergies are linked to avocado allergies, so if you have one you have the other. I should know, I have both and I have to be careful that nothing I consume has come in contact with either because my throat swells and breathing is difficult. But I use oatmeal and quinoa as well as greek yogurt.