Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients, both of which have powerful health benefits. These include the ability to reduce the signs of aging, can improve heart health, help control blood pressure and diabetes, and can even reduce the risk of cancer. Preparing a blueberry smoothie first thing in the morning is a gift for your health. Review the 12 recipes that we present below so that you can choose your best option for the morning or afternoon.
Benefits of blueberries
Considered by many to be a superfood, blueberries can also help improve brain health, promote weight loss, and calm inflammation.
Blueberries are rich in nutrients, low in calories, and high in fiber. They are a rich source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, copper, potassium, and manganese. They are low in carbohydrates and sodium and high in water content.
They are also rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, responsible for their deep blue color and powerful health benefits. Blueberries, compared to many of the other foods, have one of the highest amounts of antioxidants.
Blueberries are rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K; These nutrients, along with exercise and a healthy diet in general, are key to bone health, skin, cholesterol balance, protects heart health, is excellent for diabetics, prevents cancer, helps brain health , excellent in weight loss diets, lowers inflammation, and many more benefits.
Blueberries cannot be missing from your diet.
How to make a blueberry smoothie
There are actually many ways to make a blueberry smoothie .
Blueberry smoothies generally start from frozen blueberries that are available year-round at the grocery store, so you can mix up some blueberry smoothies any time of the year.
But if you’re going to harvest blueberries in the summer, be sure to pick out a few extra blueberries and freeze them so you can whip up these healthy breakfast or snack recipes right away or within a few months.
You can create so many flavor combinations. Pair your blueberries with other fruits like peaches or watermelon or kiwi or even other berries. Make your blueberry smoothie a little richer by adding almond butter or avocado. You can even make a blueberry smoothie recipe that contains your best powdered protein supplement to give your body a boost.
Basic ingredients in a blueberry smoothie
Generally, you want to add the ingredients to your blender in the following order:
- Liquid: dairy or non-dairy milk, juice, etc.
- Powders and other dry ingredients: protein powder, flax or chia seeds or hemp, powdered sweeteners, collagen powder
- Greens: spinach, kale, or other dark leafy vegetables, if using
- Soft ingredients: yogurt, nut butter
- Fresh fruit
- Frozen fruit and ice
- Then just blend until smooth.
What to add to thicken blueberry smoothies
- Using frozen fruit versus fresh fruit makes your smoothies thicker, especially frozen banana
- Chia seeds
- Avocado
- Certain protein powders
- Ice, although this can dilute it, so you may consider using frozen milk or juice cubes
12 recipes for the best blueberry smoothies
For all the above and more, the idea of making a blueberry smoothie is to take advantage of all the benefits of this super food that is also very delicious.
Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
- A couple of handfuls of spinach (optional)
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 / cup unsweetened Greek yogurt (you can add a tablespoon of agave or bee honey and a teaspoon of vanilla to your yogurt for added flavor)
- 1 cup almond milk (or your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk)
- small pinch of salt
- 3-5 ice cubes
- Optional Crushed Healthy Cookies for Garnish
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to the blender jar in the order listed.
- Turn on the blender and blend until smooth.
- Sprinkle crushed healthy cookies of your choice on top, if desired.
Blueberry Almond Smoothie
- 8 almond milk ice cubes
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Using a blender add almond milk.
- Then add the yogurt, honey, and blueberries.
- Ice cubes
- Blend until everything is completely mixed and you don’t have any more ice chunks in the mixture.
- Garnish with ground almonds on top of the smoothie
Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- 1/2 frozen median banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds for topping, if desired
Instructions
Place all the ingredients (except for the chia seeds) in the blender and blend until smooth. Add more almond milk if the shake is too thick. Pour into a chilled glass, sprinkle with chia seeds and blueberries as additional ingredients.
Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen blueberries (you can also use fresh ones)
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup of whole oats
- 1 cup of almond or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon agave, honey, or maple syrup
Instructions
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until well combined.
Kiwi smoothie with blueberries
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup of orange juice
Instructions
- Place the frozen berries in the blender and allow them to thaw for about 10 minutes.
- Add the kiwi and orange juice and mix on high speed until smooth.
- Top with more kiwi or berries if desired.
Blueberry flaxseed smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds, ground
- Handful of spinach
- 1/4 cup full fat unsweetened Greek yogurt (add vanilla)
- 1 cup of coconut milk or any type of milk that is organic
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Blueberry Raspberry Watermelon Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups of watermelon in cubes
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup of ice
Instructions
Add all ingredients to high speed blender in order listed and blend until smooth.
Blueberry smoothie with green tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups of iced green tea
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 3 tablespoons of protein powder of your choice
Instructions
Combine everything in a blender and pulse until smooth.
Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
- ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ avocado, pitted and sliced
- ½ large banana, sliced and frozen
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale
- 1 teaspoon agave or honey
- ½ cup of water
- ½ cup ice (if needed)
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in the blender. Cover and blend until smooth, stopping frequently to push down anything that is sticking to the sides. Pour into a glass and enjoy. Makes a portion.
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup kale, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup of plain low-fat yogurt
- 1 scoop of protein powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed (ground flax seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 handfuls of ice or more to taste
- 1/4 cup of water
Instructions
Place all the ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.
Cinnamon Blueberry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup dairy-free yogurt alternative or Greek yogurt as an unsweetened alternative
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 4 small ice cubes or more for a thicker smoothie
Instructions
Add all ingredients except ice to blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice and mix to achieve desired consistency.
Blueberry and cocoa smoothie
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of blueberries
- 3 tablespoons of hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon of organic cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon of pure honey or coconut nectar
- 1 cup of ice
- 2 cups of water or coconut water or non-dairy milk of your choice
Instructions
Place all the ingredients in your blender and blend until you get a delicious smoothie. Now you just have to try it and enjoy the properties of blueberry.