You have probably heard of superfoods, these are nutrient-dense foods that are praised for giving concentrated amounts of minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimizing health.
They are a great addition to any smoothie as they bulk up the nutritional content and at the same time deliver exquisite flavor.
However, if you are new to smoothies, superfoods… Or both, you may not know what you should put in your smoothie to reap the best benefits. That is why we are here to deliver all the info you need to know on superfood smoothies.
So, check out our list of the 17 best superfoods to add to your smoothies! Give them all a try and let us know which was your favorite!
Best Superfoods For Smoothies
Today we will check out 17 of the best superfoods to add to your smoothies, but, know there are more than just 17 superfoods, and if you do not find yourself adoring any of these, there are still plenty more options out there, so be sure to try them, who knows, maybe one of these will end up being your new favorite smoothie ingredient!
#1. Acai
Acai berries have got to be at the top of our list of the best superfoods you can put in your smoothies.
Coming from the Amazon rainforest they are jam-packed with antioxidants, and have one of the world’s highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) scores, which means they can be effectively used by the body to prevent oxidation and fight disease-causing free radicals.
They are amazing for smoothies, and they go well with cacao for an antioxidant-potent blend, or add a banana for some protein and some cashews for a dash of healthy fats.
#2. Matcha
Matcha is full of powerful antioxidants, but it also happens to pack a punch as a metabolism booster too! It is also well known for having mood-enhancing properties as well.
If you want a superfood that supports the immune system, calms the mind, and detoxifies the body, then this is the choice for you.
Matcha has a fairly sweet flavor, so it is very versatile as an ingredient in smoothies. It has an energizing kick that works well in green smoothies and pairs well with complementary superfoods such as nuts, seeds, or ginger!
#3. Cacao
Cacao is a powerhouse of antioxidants, but awesomely, it is also one of the highest plant-based sources of iron.
It is the rawest and purest form of chocolate you will ever find as well, so it tastes delicious too! Sadly, most of its antioxidants are lost in cocoa processing, so we don’t get that goodness in a bar of chocolate, but in its pure form, we can!
Plant-based iron from cacao needs to be combined with vitamin C to absorb the best, due to the iron being a non-heme iron.
For this reason, you may want to add goji berries, acai, camu camu, or just some oranges or berries to introduce that vitamin C source so you get all that goodness from the cacao!
#4. Camu Camu
If you need a bit of extra vitamin C in your diet, then you want camu camu, it is the world’s richest source of vitamin C, with 60 times more than you would get in an orange.
The cherry-type cherries in the camu camu shrub are found in the Amazon and are something of a new superstar in the superfood world.
Maybe they’ll take over acai in popularity thanks to their many health benefits.
Camu camu goes well in wintry smoothies, as it has a lot of vitamin C, which helps to protect your immune system against winter bugs.
#5. Maca
Maca is found in South America and is praised for giving your energy levels a boost, helping mental clarity, and giving your libido a boost. It is seen as being an adaptogen, as it can help your body to adapt to stressful scenarios such as demanding jobs and busy schedules.
Maca powder blends well in a smoothie that contains other South American superfoods such as acai and cacao. Otherwise, just add a teaspoon to breakfast smoothies for a yummy superfood booster that tastes awesome!
#6. Goji Berry
Goji berries are an awesome source of vitamins A and C, which are very important for maintaining a healthy immune system.
These awesome little berries are also loaded with beta-carotene pigment to help promote healthy skin as well.
In a smoothie, try adding goji berries and oranges and blending them with a sprinkle of coconut for a yummy breakfast with some vitamin C. Or, if you wanted to be a bit more artistic, why not make your favorite smoothie and top it off with a Goji flower? Anything goes!
#7. Lacuma
Lacuma is a super fruit that is nutrient dense and is found in Peru. It is jam-packed with vitamin C, iron, calcium, zinc, protein, and vitamin B3. It is well known as the “Gold of the Incas” and is praised for the immune-boosting health benefits it has, and how quickly it can speed up the natural healing process of the body.
Its flavor is similar to caramel, or maple, but it has a low GI index, which makes it a fantastic superfood to help create nutritious salted-caramel-tasting smoothies!
Try blending Lacuma with bananas, vanilla, cinnamon, and perhaps some nuts!
#8. Almonds
You may not think it, but almonds are a superfood, as they are one of the best sources in the world of vitamin E, which helps to protect our cells against free radicals and helps to slow down aging.
Enjoying almonds has also been scientifically linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol and a reduction in the risk of heart disease.
Almonds go well in any smoothie, but they work well with cacao and dates, or if you want some potassium, add a banana.
#9. Cashews
Cashews seem like humble little nuts, but they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Eating these nuts is linked to effective weight management and good heart health.
They are also high in magnesium to help support nerve function and healthy muscles.
Try blending chews and carob and you will get a nutty, sweet flavor, that is nutrient packed.
With a smoothie like this, you would also get plenty of magnesium and calcium, helping to regulate your blood pressure and maintain a normal heartbeat.
#10. Maqui Berry
Maqui berries pack one hell of a punch, all due to anthocyanins.
This is the plant compounds that are found in purple food types that act as antioxidants aiding in fighting free radicals.
With a delicate sweetness and a little tartness, these berries are not so different from blackberries, however, they can only be sourced from Patagonia in Southern Chile, so they’re not easy to get.
We recommend mixing in maqui berry power with chia seeds, acai, and maybe even a dash of cinnamon. It pairs well with a protein source and other superfood powders.
#11. Chia Seeds
Don’t underestimate these little super-powered seeds. they are high in omega-3 fatty acids, helping your brain and heart stay healthy.
They are also a rich source of protein, which can be ideal for vegans who want a protein source that can give them a boost without needing to rely on meats.
They have a subtle nutty flavor, and give smoothies a nutritional boost, all the while not overpowering other ingredients.
Blend them with ginger or cinnamon for a helpful anti-inflammatory dose. You can add chia seeds to green smoothies to help fill out your smoothies and get that desirable thick texture.
#12. Carob
Carob is a great superfood, but it is also the only one that can rival the taste that chocolate has, however, it is also naturally sweet, so it can help to calm down those ravenous sugar cravings too! If you love a chocolate milkshake, why not blend up a smoothie with some carob, dates, a banana, and some cashews?
Trust us, you won’t regret it!
#13. Coconut
We don’t tend to view coconuts as a superfood, but they are indeed superfoods. They are rich in fiber, nutrient-dense fats, and antioxidants.
They are nutritional powerhouses that can help to support your immune system. However, what we love is that they can also support digestive health as well.
Coconuts are packed with nutrient-dense fats that help to promote a slower release of energy.
They also contain lauric acid, which helps in supporting healthy immune function and digestive health. They also contain antimicrobial properties that benefit gut health.
#14. Sunflower Seeds
Here is another seed we are crazy about. Sunflower seeds are jam-packed with folate and vitamin E, making them very good at supporting a healthy heart.
These seeds are also a great source of selenium, which works alongside vitamin E to help protect your cells from any damage.
Magnesium and copper in sunflower seeds work together to help your bone health too, they can ease any arthritic pains and inflammation, all thanks to how packed they are with awesome antioxidants.
If you want to pop some sunflower seeds in your smoothies, you should consider something super creamy! Blend sunflower seeds and cashews, and enjoy the benefits of a healthy dose of copper.
Add a banana in for good luck and some potassium while you’re at it!
#15. Linseeds
Linseeds, are a seed you are probably not all that familiar with. These seeds are the richest plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are nutrients that help you to maintain a healthy brain and heart.
Research has also linked consuming linseeds to an improvement in digestive health, lower cholesterol, clearer skin, and a reduction in sugar cravings.
They are also an awesome source of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps to support digestive health and manage weight.
The antioxidant they are potent in that excites us the most is lignin, which helps to slow down the aging process. Who wouldn’t want that?!
For an awesome linseed-based smoothie, combine the healing properties you get with ginger, with the yumminess of flaxseeds and the awesomeness of the omega-3 fatty acids.
This is a smoothie that will give you the health boost you always wanted!
#16. Blackcurrants
Blackcurrants are a natural source of vitamin C, however, they gained their status as a superfood due to having powerful properties as antioxidants.
However, not only this, but they also contain anthocyanins, which can boost health, all thanks to the compound that gives super berries like this their notorious purple color.
You may not believe it, but blackcurrants contain 4 times more vitamin C than you would get in oranges, and they have 2 times as many antioxidants as blueberries do!
Research also states that blackcurrants can help in improving eyesight, exercise recovery, blood circulation, and mental clarity!
Try using organic blackcurrant powder instead of blueberries in smoothies, and mix it into banana smoothies.
You could also combine them with other purple superfoods such as the maqui berry or acai!
#17. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin is awesome anyway, but pumpkin seeds are a superfood.
They are packed with many minerals, including manganese, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and more. However, they are also high in protein too, which makes them awesome for vegans and vegetarians.
Pumpkin seeds also come with a lot of healthy fats and more antioxidants such as vitamin E, to help in protecting you against disease, while also working to reduce any inflammation.
They are a great source of protein, help to protect your body, and support bone health while managing blood pressure too.
If you have some pumpkin seeds on hand, blend them with cacao to get a good magnesium dose to boost your bones and give your immune system a wake-up call.
Around Halloween, grab some pumpkins, and save the seeds to add to your smoothies.
And if you have a pet cat, they can benefit too, as cats can eat the flesh of a pumpkin, and it will help their digestive tract as well, easing any constipation or diarrhea.
It is good for both you and the family pet! All the more reason to celebrate the spooky season!
Overall
Honestly, we could go on forever about all the amazing superfoods you can put into a smoothie, so instead, we will leave some honorable mentions right here.
Ginger, Mesquite, Hazelnuts, Psyllium, Cinnamon, Brazil Nuts, Vanilla, Tumeric.
All of these delicious foods can give you a boost, and all go well in smoothies, just make sure you pair them well.
We have some awesome recipes that will give you a good health boost, so check out some of our recipes, or make a concoction of your own and tell us about it, especially if it includes cinnamon, bananas, or seeds!
Do not be afraid to get creative and mix and match ingredients to get the superfood benefits you need from your smoothies!
Superfood Maca Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender We used this one
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ medium-sized ripe banana peeled and diced
- ½ teaspoon maca powder
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2-3 cubes of Ice
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to your blender jug.
- Process until compltely smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Additionally, she spent a few years working for Smoothie King, where she gained extensive knowledge about making smoothies.
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