Best Superfood Smoothie Recipes: Weight Loss, Protein, Detox

[toc]Sure they’re convenient, all you do is flip a switch, pour the contents in a cup, and off you go! But that’s only the second best benefit of blending/juicing. The number one reason?

It’s nutrient absorption.

Animal cells don’t have walls, but plant cells do. You can eat a piece of steak without chewing and your body will fully digest it. Not so with raw kale.

The same can’t be said about a stalk of raw celery – if you don’t chew it thoroughly, your body won’t be able to fully extract the nutrients since our stomach acid alone doesn’t fully breakdown the cell walls of some fibrous plant parts.

That’s why the father of the macrobiotic diet, Michio Kushi, said you should “chew around 50 times or more per mouthful” (1). That advice is scientifically supported, but who has time for that?!

Thorough blending solves that conundrum – no chewing necessary! If you have digestive problems, trying a more liquid diet for a while may not be a bad idea.

Here are some easy and high nutrition superfood smoothie recipes for men or women, ripped athletes (scroll to #5) or those trying to lose weight (#4), those needing an energy-boost or a detox after a late night (#3).

We discuss simple tweaks for different preferences. By modifying an ingredient they can be vegan, raw, or Paleo diet friendly.

With the exception of #5 (for post workout) only low glycemic sweeteners are used, if any. For diabetics, there are refined sugar-free options.

1st Recipe: Morning Energy Jolt

Chances are, you’re not a morning person. If you want a nutritional jolt to start your day, try this meal replacement smoothie recipe to get you energized.

What’s special about this smoothie?

Without added sugar, it’s only 296 calories! Great for weight loss and diabetic friendly.

If you use coconut palm sugar, its glycemic index is much lower than regular sugar. Official GI testing is not done on sweeteners, but some sources claim coconut sugar is 35 (2).

26 grams of protein is great for post-workout.

The ORAC value of wild blueberries is over 2x higher than regular blueberries. You can pick up a bag for $3.99 in the frozen section at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

75% of the red pigments (carotenoids) in goji berries are zeaxanthin and beta-carotene (vitamin A) which support eye health. Plus, they’re high in protein at 1 gram per tablespoon.

2nd Recipe: Choco Chia Acai

Or start your day with this smoothie. Chocolate lovers will appreciate the rich taste. Everyone will appreciate that its rich in omega 3’s and only 301 calories. You can easily make it a high protein smoothie by adding a scoop or two of powder.

You can buy these – either Sambazon or another brand like Acai Roots – at many grocery stores in the same place you will find the frozen fruit. You can’t call them cheap, but at $6 for a 4-pack, you’re paying $1.50 per serving which isn’t horrible. With no added sugar, these are great for diabetes. But be warned, pure acai has zero sweetness!

What’s special about this smoothie?

At 102,700 the acai fruit’s ORAC value is high – over 20x higher than blueberries.

At only 301 calories and no added sugar, this is a perfect low glycemic dessert for weight loss, diabetics, and everyone else!

The sweetener we recommend has zero calories and its rich chocolate-raspberry taste complements the other flavors. Stevia is known for having a bitter aftertaste, but we don’t experience that with this brand, especially when blended.

Raw chia seeds an excellent vegan source of protein and they contain more omega 3’s than salmon when you compare equal weights of each.

It may not be for bodybuilders, but it does have over 10 grams of protein. If you’re an athlete, you could easily turn this into a recipe for high protein superfood smoothies by adding a scoop or two of powder.

3rd Recipe: Weight Loss Rx

All of our recipes are calorically-friendly, but with this one is meant to be a meal replacement shake. With protein and high fiber, you should feel fuller for longer. That can help you eat less throughout the day and lose weight as a result.

To keep you energized, we’re including slow-digesting carbs (oatmeal) so if you have it for lunch, you can hopefully make it to dinner without snacking.

This is thick and satisfying, so you may want to eat it with a spoon.

What’s special about this smoothie?

Containing at least 12.5 grams, it’s 50% of your recommended daily intake for fiber. You’re getting 22 grams of protein. All that nutrition packed into just 297 calories.

Oatmeal has been shown to reduce appetite, when compared to other carbs like cereals made with refined grains (2).

Studies have suggested that green tea has a positive effect, albeit small, on both weight loss and weight management (3). Please note the half-life of caffeine in healthy adults is 3 to 7 hours. Therefore, use decaf green tea in this superfood smoothie mix if you’re having it later.

With an ORAC value that’s 40% higher than acai, baobab is a fiber-rich superfruit that’s ideal for your diet recipes.

4th Recipe: Hardcore Detox Delight

Whether you had a late night working or a late night partying, consider this superfood detox smoothie recipe the next day.

What’s special about this smoothie?

The coconut water base helps you replenish electrolytes.

Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar that is alkaline forming. Most others (e.g. balsamic, white, red wine) are acid forming. That, along with the lemon’s alkalizing qualities help bring your body’s pH into balance.

Purple cabbage is like nature’s multi-vitamin. It also triggers a specific reaction in the body, causing the liver to produce more healthy enzymes.

Beets can be a useful food to support cleansing of the body as they stimulate liver function, which helps to eliminate toxins.

299 calories with 10 grams of protein.

5th Recipe: High-Protein Powerhouse

Last on our list is a recipe specifically for serious fitness buffs. The average Joe or Jane won’t need all these amino acids and extra calories. But bodybuilders and endurance athletes like runners can benefit from this, especially post workout.

After an intense training session, yes your body needs protein, but it also needs simple carbs because you’re severely depleted of glucose and glycogen. That’s exactly why we’re not using stevia and instead, including superfoods that provide you with the healthy carbs your body needs.

What’s special about this smoothie?

Coming in at 532 calories, this is not for those on a diet. Nor is it diabetic friendly. But if you’re a healthy hardcore athlete, you’re getting 47 grams of clean protein (including lots of Branched Chain Amino Acids), simple sugars (fruits) to help with depleted glucose and glycogen, and sustaining energy from almonds and other ingredients.

The high dosage of antioxidants help fight free radicals and inflammation… 2 things your body is surely battling after strenuous exercise!