Smoothies

My Favorite Pumpkin Smoothie to Make During Fall Smoothies are a quick and easy breakfast that is perfect no matter the season. Swap out your go-to smoothie for this fall-inspired pumpkin smoothie that’s packed with filling protein.  Fall has arrived and pumpkin spiced foods are everywhere and I’m here for it! As a self-proclaimed pumpkin lover, I look forward to leaning into all the fall flavors as the season changes – and that includes my morning smoothie. This high protein pumpkin smoothie made with canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and protein powder is a go-to all season long.  What’s more, this smoothie is a great way to use up leftover pumpkin from other recipes since so many call for less than a full can. Not to mention, pumpkin is a nutrient-dense veggie that offers plenty of health benefits. For example, it’s rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are important for keeping your immune system running in tip top shape (a must for cold and flu season).  I enjoy a smoothie almost every day! Check out even more of my great healthy smoothie recipes designed for weight loss! Why You’ll Love It Texture: this makes for an extra thick smoothie (my favorite!), which means you can either sip or use a spoon to eat this one. Topping it with a bit of granola is the way to go. High Protein: for a smoothie that will actually fill you up and provide the protein you need post-workout, this smoothie has a scoop of protein powder and Greek yogurt added. (Cottage cheese also works well in place of the yogurt.) Customizable: use this recipe as a starting point and feel free to make the smoothie your own! See below for some of our favorite add-ins.  Ingredients You’ll Need Use these simple and fresh ingredients packed with nutritional value to make this delicious high protein pumpkin spice smoothie recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card for the exact amounts of each ingredient you’ll need.  Ice cubes: adding a handful of ice cubes gives this smoothie an extra thick consistency. If that’s not your thing, you can skip them.  Frozen Banana: using frozen banana makes a thicker smoothie but you can use fresh banana too.  Greek Yogurt: use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for this smoothie. You can also substitute with the same amount of cottage cheese. Either one adds creaminess and boosts the protein in the finished smoothie. Check out even more protein-packed cottage cheese recipes you’ll enjoy! Sweetener: add a little sweetness with a sugar free sweetener like monk fruit or Stevia.  Protein Powder: Use your favorite brand of vanilla protein powder for this smoothie. I typically reach for a vanilla whey one. See all of my favorite protein powders with reviews! Pumpkin: you’ll want to use canned or homemade pumpkin that is unsweetened.  Cinnamon: the perfect spice to complement the pumpkin – it’s also a good source of antioxidants too. You can also substitute it with pumpkin spice if you’ve got it.  Almond milk: add a splash of milk to help blend this smoothie together. I like to use homemade almond milk (I use the Almond Cow machine and it takes less than a few minutes!), but you can swap with your milk of choice.  Variations There are a variety of ways that you can swap ingredients for this smoothie to make it your own. Here are a few of our favorite additions:  Almond butter: adds delicious flavor that complements the pumpkin while providing heart healthy fats. Seeds: ground flaxseeds and chia seeds are great additions to smoothies like this one since you’ll boost the filling fiber and get in some plant-based omega 3 fatty acids.  Add superfoods: you can up the antioxidant power of this smoothie by adding some fresh ginger root or turmeric powder to the blender before pureeing.  Make it vegan or dairy free: use a dairy free yogurt and a plant-based protein powder to make a vegan version of this recipe.  How to Make a Pumpkin Smoothie This healthy pumpkin smoothie recipe is simple to put together in a few steps.  Blend: Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until completely blended. Adjust the consistency by adding more ice if it’s too thin or adding an extra splash of milk if it’s too thick.  Serve: Pour this healthy smoothie into glasses and enjoy.  nutribullet Pro+ 1200 Watt Personal Blender Check Price We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Storage This smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in a lidded jar or other airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.  You can also freeze this smoothie in an ice cube tray and then transfer the smoothie ice cubes to a freezer bag. Frozen smoothie cubes can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. Print Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie A creamy, high-protein pumpkin smoothie with cinnamon and protein powder—nourishing, immune-boosting, and perfect for fall. Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Total Time 5 minutes minutes Servings 1 smoothie Calories 255kcal Ingredients Ice cubes ½ frozen banana ½ cup Greek yogurt or sub cottage cheese 1 packet monk fruit or Stevia 1 scoop of protein powder such as vanilla whey 1/3 cup of pumpkin purée 1 dash ground cinnamon to taste ⅓ cup plain unsweetened almond milk Instructions Add all of your ingredients to a blender cup and puree until smooth. Nutrition Serving: 1smoothie | Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g Smoothies are a quick and easy breakfast that is perfect no matter the season. Swap out your go-to smoothie for… Chris Freytag, CPT{authorlink}https://gethealthyu.com/pumpkin-smoothie-recipe/Get Healthy U | Chris Freytag Realistic workouts and healthy aging for the middle-aged woman. https://gethealthyu.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/favicon-96×96.png

Delicious Hormone Balancing Smoothie Start your day off right and support your hormone health at the same time by blending up this hormone balancing smoothie. Made with nutrient-dense ingredients like berries, maca powder, and Greek yogurt to help you feel your best.  Hormones like estrogen and cortisol are small chemical messengers that impact nearly every aspect of our health from our sleep to mood to weight and reproduction. Even small irregularities in your hormone levels can create a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Not to mention, the hormone changes that occur with perimenopause and menopause. One of the best ways to support both your well-being and hormone health is by following a balanced diet that incorporates nutrient-dense foods every day. This hormone balancing smoothie is packed with a variety of foods that can support hormone production. Plus, it’s also delicious!  If you’re feeling sluggish or need to switch up your morning routine, this hormone balancing smoothie might be just the thing for you. It’s packed with antioxidants and protein-rich to keep your energy levels from crashing mid-morning.  Check out my other healthy smoothie recipes for even more nutritious ideas! Ingredients You’ll Need Use these simple and fresh ingredients packed with nutritional value to make this delicious hormone balancing smoothie recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card for the exact amounts of each ingredient you’ll need.  Frozen Wild Blueberries: we drink a lot of smoothies, so I like to keep the freezer stocked with plenty of superfoods like frozen fruit. These days, I keep a bag of frozen wild blueberries on hand for smoothies because they have more flavor and richer color and research has found they are higher in antioxidants than regular blueberries. You can also use frozen mixed berries if that’s what you have on hand. Milk: use your milk of choice for this healthy smoothie – I usually opt for skim milk or unsweetened almond milk. Other great options for non-dairy milk include coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk. Yogurt: I recommend using either plain Greek yogurt or vanilla Greek yogurt since it is higher in protein than regular yogurt. Yogurt is also packed with gut-friendly probiotics and a healthy gut supports better hormone health. Cauliflower Rice: cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower are rich in antioxidants which are important for taming inflammation; a key factor in hormone balance.  Protein Powder: use your favorite protein powder to add filling protein to this smoothie and give it staying power and balance blood sugar levels. You can also use collagen powder if you’d like.   Ground Flax Seed: I love adding ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds to smoothies. It’s a simple way to add more fiber and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, healthy fats like omega-3s have been found to help alleviate symptoms of menopause. The extra fiber supports gut health which is closely related to hormone balance. Maca Powder: maca is a root vegetable with a mild nutty flavor that has been associated with improvement in the symptoms associated with hormone imbalances. Some research has found that it can alleviate hot flashes and irregular sleep during menopause.  Smoothie Variations Add some greens: make it a green smoothie by adding a handful of spinach or kale to your smoothie to sneak in another serving of vegetables. Sweeten it up: depending on the protein powder you use, this easy high protein smoothie isn’t super sweet. If you like a sweeter smoothie you may want to add a medjool date or a tablespoon of maple syrup, honey, agave nectar or other sweetener or choice. You could also use fruit juice (like orange juice or apple juice) instead of milk or toss in ½ of a ripe banana for a sweeter smoothie.  Add turmeric: want to add more anti-inflammatory benefits to this smoothie? Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper (to help with absorption). Ginger is also a delicious addition with inflammation-fighting superpowers that support healthy hormones.  How to Make this Hormone Balancing Smoothie This healthy smoothie recipe is simple to put together in a few steps.  Prep: Add all of your ingredients (blueberries, milk, cauliflower rice, yogurt, protein powder, flax seed, and maca) to a high powered blender.  Blend: Start on low speed and gradually increase to high speed as the ingredients start to mix. Puree until smooth.  Enjoy: Pour into a glass and enjoy! Are Smoothies Healthy? Yes! Depending on the ingredients you use, you can make a healthy berry smoothie at home. It’s a great way to get in a couple servings of fruit in the morning and start your day with a balanced breakfast. (They are also great for refueling pre or post workout.) Berries are a naturally lower sugar fruit that is especially high in fiber and antioxidants; which is why we love using them in our healthy morning smoothies. Antioxidants are compounds in food that prevent damage caused by free radicals. Although free radicals occur naturally if left unchecked they can lead to chronic inflammation which can throw off hormone levels. Paired with the probiotic-rich yogurt, cauliflower, and maca powder, this smoothie offers a winning combination of ingredients that support better hormone health.  Print Delicious Hormone Balancing Smoothie Start your day off right and support your hormone health at the same time by blending up this hormone balancing smoothie. Made with nutrient-dense ingredients like berries, maca powder, and Greek yogurt to help you feel your best. Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Total Time 5 minutes minutes Servings 1 smoothie Calories 350kcal Equipment High Speed Blender Ingredients 1 cup frozen wild blueberries or mixed berries ¾ – 1 cup unsweetened almond milk ½ cup frozen cauliflower rice ⅓ cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt 1 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder 2 tablespoons ground flax seed 2 teaspoons maca powder Instructions Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Nutrition Serving: 1g | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 8g

Simple 6-Ingredient Superfood Smoothie Start your day off right with this antioxidant-rich superfood smoothie made with just 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.  When you are trying to eat healthier to achieve your wellness goals like weight loss or lower cholesterol, healthy smoothie recipes provide an easy and convenient option for making sure you’re getting the essential nutrients you need.  For example, this simple 6-ingredient superfood smoothie is loaded with fiber, protein, and antioxidants to not only fuel your body but help you feel your best.  Many of us aren’t eating enough vegetables on a daily basis so adding a green smoothie to your regular routine can help you reach the 2-3 cups of veggies daily that is recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  I always have some spinach stashed in the fridge or freezer for smoothies like this one since it blends well and doesn’t add any flavor to the finished smoothie.  Read on to find out how to make this delicious smoothie and be sure to check out our other smoothie recipes like this immunity boosting smoothie or this green protein smoothie.  Ingredients for this Superfood Smoothie Use these simple and fresh ingredients packed with nutritional value to make this delicious superfood smoothie recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card for the exact amounts of each ingredient you’ll need.  Spinach: use fresh baby spinach if you can find it since the leaves are more tender and blend better. Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrition since it is packed with fiber and other essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, K, iron, and magnesium.  Pineapple: this tropical fruit likely isn’t at the top of your list when you think of foods that can boost your immune system, but it should be! Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and is packed with antioxidants. The vitamin C in the pineapple also helps you better absorb the iron in the spinach in this breakfast smoothie.  Greek Yogurt: packed with protein and gut-friendly probiotics – it’s no surprise that Greek yogurt is in this superfood smoothie. Reach for plain or unsweetened, vanilla Greek yogurt. You can also make this with kefir instead of Greek yogurt.  Milk: I like to use unsweetened, vanilla almond milk in smoothies, but you can substitute with your milk of choice.  Chia Seeds: these little seeds are one of my favorite superfoods – check out the amazing benefits of chia seeds! They are packed with fiber, plant protein, and are also one of the few plant-based foods that provide the heart-healthy fatty acids called omega-3s. You can substitute with ground flax seeds or hemp seeds if you don’t have chia seeds. They also provide healthy fats. Ginger: use fresh ginger for the most intense flavor, but you can use 1 teaspoon ground ginger in a pinch. Ginger has long been associated with health benefits thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.  Smoothie Variations Swap spinach for kale: if you don’t have any spinach on hand, you can also use kale in this smoothie. However, keep in mind that kale does have a stronger flavor so you may want to use a bit less to avoid a bitter smoothie.  Sweeten it up: this easy smoothie isn’t super sweet, so if you like a sweeter smoothie you may want to add a medjool date or a tablespoon of maple syrup, honey, agave nectar or other sweetener or choice. You could also use fruit juice (like orange juice or apple juice) instead of milk or toss in ½ of a ripe banana for a sweeter smoothie.  Add more protein: add a couple scoops of your go-to protein powder to this simple superfood smoothie to make it more filling.  Make it vegan: use non-dairy milk and a dairy-free yogurt.  Add Turmeric: ginger and turmeric are a natural pairing. You can double up on the potential benefits provided by this smoothie by adding 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric. Check out the amazing health benefits of turmeric! How to Make this Superfood Smoothie This healthy immunity boosting smoothie recipe is simple to put together in a few steps.  Blend: Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender. To make sure that some of the tougher ingredients (spinach, fresh ginger) get blended smoothly, add them first so they’re closest to the blades. Process until completely blended.  Serve: Pour this healthy smoothie into glasses and enjoy. Tools You’ll Need High-Powered Blender Measuring cups Storage This smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 days.  You can also freeze this smoothie in an ice cube tray and then transfer the smoothie ice cubes to a freezer bag. Frozen smoothie cubes can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. Print 6-Ingredient Superfood Smoothie Start your day off right with this antioxidant-rich superfood smoothie made with just 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Prep Time 5 minutes minutes Total Time 5 minutes minutes Servings 2 smoothies Calories 150kcal Equipment High-Powered Blender Measuring cups Ingredients 1 cup fresh baby spinach 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup frozen pineapple 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 in piece fresh peeled ginger Instructions Add all of your ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Nutrition Serving: 1smoothie | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g nutribullet Pro+ 1200 Watt Personal Blender Check Price We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Start your day off right with this antioxidant-rich superfood smoothie made with just 6 simple ingredients that you probably already… Deborah Murphy, MS, RD, LDN{authorlink}https://gethealthyu.com/superfood-smoothie/Get Healthy U | Chris Freytaghttps://gethealthyu.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/favicon-96×96.png