Superfood Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies are a breakfast and snack staple for a reason. They’re quick, tasty, and pack a nutritious punch. This superfood smoothie, in particular, is filled with — you guessed it — superfoods.

Ingredients like kale, chia seeds, ginger, apple, and mango give you plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while added protein powder helps fill you up and supports muscle growth and weight loss.

Here’s how to make the best healthy smoothie you’ve tried in a while — even if we do say so ourselves.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this superfood smoothie. These ingredients make two servings:

• 1 ½ cup filtered water

• 1 ½ cup kale, chopped

• 1 small red apple (or ½ large), cubed

• 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger root

• 1 cup frozen ripe mango

• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

• ¼ cup fresh lime juice

• 4 scoops unflavored protein powder (equivalent to about 40 grams of protein)

• 1 cup ice cubes

Optional for more sweetness:

• ½ Tbsp. raw honey

Swaps and Substitution Ideas 

Don’t like apples? Got fresh strawberries to use up? Want to try a different recipe for healthy smoothies each week? No sweat. There are plenty of healthy smoothie ingredients you can sub into this recipe.

For example, you can swap in other fruits, like:

• Banana 

• Blueberries

• Strawberries  

• Pineapple  

• Raspberries 

• Goji berries

• Açaí berries

• Blackberries 

For veggies, consider: 

• Baby spinach 

• Carrot 

• Avocados 

• Celery

• Beets

Look out for which fruits and veggies are in season and consider adding them, too.

You can also add nuts, seeds, or Greek yogurt for extra protein and herbs and spices for a kick of flavor. Try: 

• Peanut butter

• Almond milk

• Coconut milk

• Coconut water

• Greek yogurt

• Almonds

• Hemp seeds

• Flax seeds

• Turmeric

• Cinnamon

• Mint

• Cacao powder

• Oats

As you can see, you’re not short on choice. The healthiest smoothies combine a mixture of fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and protein.

Now, back to the superfood smoothie recipe at hand.

The toughest part about making a smoothie is choosing your ingredients. The prep time is minimal — we’re talking mere minutes — and there are really only two steps.  

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

Instructions:

1. Chop up your kale and apple. Grate your ginger.

2. Using a high-powered blender, blend all ingredients for about one minute.

And you’re done! Serve and enjoy. 

Here are the nutritional facts for one serving of our superfood smoothie: 

Calories: 193

Total fat: 4 grams

Saturated fat: 2 grams

Trans fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 62 milligrams

Total carbohydrates: 19 grams

Dietary fiber: 5 grams

Total sugars: 7 grams

Added sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 22 grams

There are so many reasons to love this superfood smoothie recipe. Here are just a few.

It’s Super Healthy 

The clue’s kinda in the name with superfoods.There’s no official scientific definition of superfoods, but they’re called this because they’re incredibly nutrient-dense. The term “superfood” actually goes back to the 1990s, when it was used to describe a category of food with superior nutritional benefits.

This super smoothie is high in:

• Fiber. You can get fiber from the leafy greens (kale), apple, mango, and chia seeds. Fiber slows digestion, helping you feel full and satisfied for longer. It can also aid weight loss and insulin sensitivity (how well the body's cells respond to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar) while keeping you regular in the bowel department.

• Vitamins and minerals. Fruits and veggies are high in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. This recipe provides vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, and calcium for strong bones, healthy bodily functioning, and a robust immune system.

• Protein. With the added protein powder, you’ll be getting 22 grams of protein per smoothie. Protein is kind of a supernutrient. It can reduce appetite and food cravings, increase satiety (feelings of fullness), and aid muscle growth and repair. If you’re on a weight loss journey, a high-protein diet can help you retain muscle mass as you’re losing fat and reduce your chances of regaining weight after you’ve lost it.

• Healthy fats. Chia seeds are an excellent source of healthy fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids. Some research shows that people who consume more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids may have a lower odds of health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. And research shows chia seeds may help reduce waist circumference and blood pressure.

It Can Be Made Into a Fuller Meal 

You can drink this delicious smoothie out of a glass or bulk it up with Greek yogurt for probiotics and serve it as a smoothie bowl. Top your bowl with a sprinkling of granola and some whole fruits — like sliced banana or blueberries — to make it into a more filling, nutrient-rich breakfast.

It’s Endlessly Customizable 

As mentioned above, there are so many different combinations of fruits, veggies, spices, protein sources, nuts, and seeds you can add to superfood smoothies to mix up the nutrient profile and taste. You can cater it to your diet, too — plant-based, vegan, paleo, etc.

As much as there’s no wrong way to make a smoothie, you don’t necessarily want to throw everything in a blender and hope for the best. 

Some flavor pairings to try include: 

• Banana, peanut butter, and cinnamon smoothie 

• Beets, mixed berries, hemp seeds, and spinach smoothie 

• Cucumber, avocado, almond milk, and mint green smoothie 

When going off-script and choosing the best smoothie ingredients for you, try to include fruit and veggies, a source of healthy fats (like nuts, seeds, or avocado), and a protein source (like Greek yogurt, nuts, seeds, or protein powder). These healthy smoothie ingredients will ensure your creation is nutritionally balanced and filling.

That’s everything you need to know to make this superfood smoothie. Enjoy it as a quick and easy nutrient-rich breakfast, post-workout snack, or even dessert. And don’t forget to mix up the ingredients to stay inspired to reach your health and weight loss goals.