To coincide with the kickoff of our 7-Day Step-by-Step Detox Guide articles that start posting on Monday, January 5th, I thought I’d share some great detox smoothie recipes. Pretty timely, right? I’m sure you will enjoy each of them not only during your detox, but also long afterwards as part of a healthier lifestyle!
Many people ask me why detox smoothies always contain greens. Well, that is not always the case, but greens are often used because they contain so many valuable nutrients; the darker the leaf, the more nutrition it has. If you refer back to our infographic in this 7-Day Detox Guide, you’ll see the key nutrients that support phase I and phase II detoxification are Vitamin A, Vitamin C , B Vitamins, folate and calcium. Some popular greens (chock full with those key nutrients) used in smoothies include:
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- Kale (vitamins A, B6, C and K, calcium, iron, folate, dietary fiber, potassium and more)
- Swiss chard (vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, riboflavin, oxalates and more)
- Spinach (vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, dietary fiber, protein, folate, iron, thiamin and more)
- Romaine lettuce (vitamins A, C and K, dietary fiber, thiamin, folate, iron and more)
- Turnip greens (vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, dietary fiber, folate, calcium, magnesium and more)
- Collards (vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, dietary fiber, riboflavin, folate, calcium and more)
Smoothies without greens often use delicious fruits, which are the ultimate cleansing food. They are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients.
So, as promised, here are a nice mix of detox smoothies, three of which use greens and one that doesn’t.
1. The Glowing Green Smoothie
Kimberly’s Glowing Green Smoothie really packs a punch each serving contains over 3 cups of dark leafy green vegetables! In only a few minutes, you can have this nutrient-packed detox smoothie prepared and ready to enjoy.
I love the great tips she shares with her readers:
Your splendid concoction will keep in your refrigerator, if covered, for around two and a half days. (I would encourage you to drink it all though the same day for the highest nutritional value)
Start out with a 16-ounce glass and work your way up to a 24-ounce glass.
Freeze a glass or two and thaw one out the night before, when you’re in a bind. Super idea for the busy person!
Find this recipe on Kimberly Snyder’s blog
2. The 5-Ingredient Detox Smoothie
This brilliant smoothie combines two wonderful superfood fruits for a healthy and delicious base: blueberries and blackberries. As Dana points out in her post, both are easy to find frozen during the off-season, so you can enjoy this detox smoothie any time of year.
Yes, sometimes these berries can be expensive, but your health is worth it, isn’t it?
Current research is ongoing regarding the potential health benefits of blueberries in the areas of brain health, immune support, blood sugar support and heart health. Plus, both blueberries and blackberries are low calorie, low fat and low on the glycemic index.
A UW-Michigan Cardiovascular study suggests that blueberries may even help reduce belly fat. That is reason enough to load up!
A frozen banana adds to the smooth texture and will make you forget there are just a few leaves of raw spinach in it. This simple smoothie is vegan and contains fiber, antioxidants, omega-3, vitamin C, folic acid, phytonutrients and more!
Throwing all ingredients in a Vitamix is going to make this smoothie ultra-smooth though a blender would work too.
Find this recipe on the Minimalist Baker’s blog
3. Kale-Ginger Detox Smoothie
If you are a fan of almond milk and raw honey, you’ll be all over this wonderful kale-ginger detox smoothie. Julia, who enjoys experimenting with smoothies, calls it her go-to.
Raw honey tastes so much better than pasteurized honey that you should definitely try it if you haven’t already. My favorite raw honey is Manuka honey – especially known for it healing benefits.
Honey give this tasty, vitamin-packed smoothie a sweet, warm taste. Readers commented that it has a comforting, pleasant flavor. That warmth coming thru is definitely from the ginger!
Ginger also has so many well-known therapeutic health benefits that to add it as part of your daily regime, could only be helpful for supporting health and wellness! The World’s Healthiest Foods has a good listing of ginger’s benefits – check it out here.
Add a frozen banana for great texture, extra fiber, Vitamin C and potassium, and you’ve got a smoothie nearly anyone will love.
Find this recipe on the oh my veggies blog
4. Pineapple Detox Smoothie
This simple and delicious smoothie is wonderful not only for detox, but also for increased energy and immunity. Susan says this recipe is low in calories and high in fiber, and contains powerful antioxidants, live enzymes and vitamins.
It features pineapple, vanilla soy milk, mint leaves, flaxseeds and ginger.
I would substitute the soy milk with almond or rice milk. Soy is an endocrine disruptor and is on the common allergen list. Â It is best to avoid the usual allergens when detoxing to give your body as much healing power as possible.
Ginger is well-known for helping with nausea and settling the stomach; probably why Susan includes it in this after New Years Eve detox smoothie. Mint leaves and ginger seem like a wonderful combination to me. I haven’t personally tried this smoothie but after finding Susan’s recipe, it’s next on my list.
Find this recipe on Susan Ciminelli’s blog
I hope you find these four recipes handy over the course of your cleanse program and beyond. Enjoy!
Check out our online store if you’re ever looking for quality ingredients like chia and flax seed, greens, fiber, wheat or barley grass, spirulina, chlorella and powdered clay.
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