There’s no question that smoothies are an amazing way to pack in tons of nutrition!

And when done right, smoothies can leave you satiated and feeling awesome until it’s time for lunch.

Today I’m going to tell you about some simple additions that you can incorporate that can make your smoothie even more beneficial. 

First lets break down the key components to a bomb ass smoothie

Basic Smoothie Anatomy

Greens, Fruit, Fat, Protein, Fiber, Raw Milk or Homemade Nut Milk, & Spices

 Greens

Any green in the world will do.  My personal faves are kale, chard, collard greens, spinach, mustard greens, and dandelion greens.

Fruit

Again – any fruit that you find delicious is perfect.  Aim for high antioxidant fruits like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, tart cherries, pomegranate, cranberries and kiwi.  Bananas are fine, but they are higher in sugar content than other fruits. 

Fat

Avocado, coconut oil, MCT oil, grassfed butter, egg yolks, nut butter, or a handful of raw nuts.

Protein

Collagen peptides by Vital Proteins are my favorite.  They take on the taste of anything they are paired with.  My favorite vegan option is Arbonne’s vanilla protein.

Fiber

Flax seeds or chia seeds are the most nutritious and flavorful to incorporate.  They also are one of the only plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids which combat body-wide inflammation and free radical damage.

Raw milk or Homemade Nut Milk

One cup of any non-dairy milk will do.  I switch it up constantly between flax milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk.  Then I fill the rest of the smoothie cup with filtered water once I have added all my ingredients.

Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, clove, pumpkin spice, turmeric. Cinnamon prevents blood sugar spikes and is helpful to people with insulin resistance.  Plus a little spice gives your smoothie a little bite, which is always fun!

Now that you’ve got the basics down, lets dive into some amazing add-ons that will elevate your smoothie game (as well as your nutritional badassary)

Smoothie Boosters

BAOBAB POWDER

Prebiotic (food for your gut bugs), check. Antioxidants, check. Immune booster, check. What more could you want?? The baobab tree is native to Madagascar, mainland Africa and Australia.  It has been treasured by communities for centuries, and is considered “the tree of life”. Baobab is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.  Baobab contains vitamin C, calcium (twice as much as milk!), potassium (6x as much as bananas!), antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2 and B6, iron, fiber, and magnesium.  It is rich in amino acids and essential fatty acids.  Baobab is also powerful at regulating blood sugar. Add 1 tsp to your smoothie.

AMLA BERRY POWDER

Also known as Indian Gooseberry, amla berry is insaaaaanely high in vitamin C. It is naturally quite tart and has a nice citrus taste to it. It is grown and cultivated in India and is used in traditional ayurvedic medicine as a gentle everyday cleansing tonic. Amla berry is a good source of fiber as well. It promotes liver health, decreases inflammation, and is cancer protective. Amla berry has been shown to help prevent blood sugar spikes as effectively as some leading diabetes medications. It also reduces serum triglyceride levels, and helps to improve the ratio of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL). Add one tsp to your smoothie. 

BEE POLLEN

Bee pollen is one of the most nutritionally dense foods in nature.  It is a complete protein source which means it contains 22 amino acids that are essential for the production of new cells. It also has vitamins C, E, and B complex vitamins. It contains very important trace minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium. Bee pollen contains enzymes, flavonoids and carotenoids. Bee pollen protects against liver toxicity, improves blood supply to our nervous tissues and helps strengthen our nervous systems. Notably, bee pollen helps increase energy levels (on account of the B vitamins), improve allergies, and provide powerful antioxidant support. Bee pollen tastes slightly sweet to me, but otherwise does not create an unusual taste profile in my smoothies. Add one tsp to your smoothie.

**If you’ve never tried it before, you may want to start with a couple of granules and see if you have a reaction.  And of course, if you are allergic to bees or pollen, do not take bee pollen.  As always consult with your physician before starting any new supplement**

ACAI BERRY

Pronounced (ah-si-ee), this Amazonian superfood is one of the most powerful nutritional powerhouses on the planet. Acai berries are rich in anthocyanins (phytonutrients that mitigate the effects of free radicals floating around the body that ultimately cause damage to our cells). They are packed with antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, E and A, manganese, and is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. They have a rich and earthy taste.  Look for freeze dried acai berry powder.  Add one tsp to your smoothie

BROCCOLI SPROUT POWDER

If you want to boost your body’s anticancer abilities, then add some broccoli sprout powder to your smoothie! Broccoli sprouts contain pharmacologically active amounts of sulforaphane (which is in the family of glucosinolates, which are cancer fighting as well as cancer preventative). Sulforaphane also enhances liver detoxification, reduces inflammation, and helps the body produce the motherload antioxidant in the body – glutathione.  Add one tsp to your smoothie

Try out one or all of these awesome additions and see how you elevate everything from your energy levels to your skin health to your body’s detoxification abilities.

One final tip! 

If you find that the above powders make your smoothie too tart, add a pitted date to bring a bit more sweetness. Just make sure to blend it up thoroughly, otherwise you’ll have chunks of dates just hanging out at the bottom 😉

What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?  I love getting inspired by you guys!  Leave me a comment and let me know if you liked any of these superfoods!

(This is not medical advice. Please do your own research, consult your physician, and do what is best for you and your body.)

Happy Smoothie Making!

Xoxo

Emily 😊