Help keep common colds and flu at bay with this sweet and tart Immunity Boosting Smoothie. Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, this healthy smoothie acts as medicine but tastes like dessert!
AN EASY IMMUNITY BOOSTING SMOOTHIE
Smoothies are on my weekly meal plan, even in cold weather. For me, they always feel more like a sweet treat than like the healthy meal they actually are. Bonus – my kids love them, too! And, they have no idea how many super foods I’m hiding right there in plain sight.
Of course, a cold refreshing, fruit smoothie tastes great on a warm day – but don’t count them out in the cold months. This immunity boosting smoothie is great to serve your family during cold and flu season.
What Makes this Smoothie Healthy?
This healthy smoothie is not just any old smoothie. It’s an immunity boosting smoothie. Sure, there are loads of delicious smoothie recipes out there, but many are designed simply to taste good.
The ingredients in this smoothie were each chosen specifically for their immunity boosting properties.
Let’s take a look at them:
1. Turmeric – Turmeric has crazy powerful medicinal properties and has become a staple in my kitchen. It’s an incredibly strong antioxidant and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Ginger – Ginger is actually closely related to turmeric. It’s used to help digestion, reduce nausea and fight the flu and common cold. Additionally, Gingerol, the active substance in fresh ginger, helps to lower your risk of infection.
3. Citrus – This smoothie has two citrus fruits, orange (clementine) and lemon. Citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C which is known to boost your immune system. They are also a great source of fiber.
4. Cinnamon – Cinnamon is also loaded with medicinal benefits and antioxidants. It can even help to fight bacterial and fungal infections.
SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS
The best part about a smoothie is how easy it is to swap in different ingredients. I prefer to use the ingredients on this list, but I’ll definitely still make myself a great smoothie even if I’m missing a few.
To make this healthy immunity boosting smoothie, you’ll need:
- a carrot
- a banana
- a clementine
- ginger
- orange juice
- lemon juice
- turmeric
- cinnamon
- plain yogurt
- ice
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth (hands up, anyone else?) you can add an optional sweetener. More on that later.
How to Make a Smoothie
1. Load: Add all of your ingredients to a high powered blender in the order they are listed above.
2. Blend: Process everything until it’s completely blended.
3. Test: Give it a little taste to test for sweetness. Adjust accordingly. If you’re looking for a thicker smoothie, blend in more ice to make it thicker.
4. Serve: Pour your immunity boosting smoothie into your favorite glass or tumbler, insert a steel straw and garnish with fresh orange wedges. Enjoy!
Optional Smoothie Sweeteners
Depending on what you’re craving, your taste buds, and the fruit you use – this smoothie may be plenty sweet enough for you as is. If it’s not, you can add a natural sweetener into the mix.
If you decide to use a sweetener, I recommend using a local, organic, raw honey. Honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties help improve the digestive system and boost immunity. If your honey is local, it will also help your body to fight against local allergens.
Depending on where you live, you could also opt for local pure maple syrup or agave. I like maple syrup because it’s a great source of zinc and manganese which both work to strengthen your immune system.
If you choose to use honey, or any sweetener, simply blend it in with the rest of the ingredients.
How to Meal Prep Healthy Smoothies
Smoothies are a meal prep star! It’s so easy to measure out and chop your ingredients, then place them in a zip top freezer bag. Pop the bag into the freezer and then pull it out the morning you want to use it, dump directly into the blender and get it combined. You’ll be enjoying your smoothie in no time at all. I love that this avoids lugging out my cutting board and chopping all the fruit on a busy weekday morning. Before I load up my freezer bag, I label it and include the steps, too.
If you’ve already made your smoothie but you have leftovers – you can pour the leftover smoothie into ice cube trays and put it into the freezer. Then simply pop your cubes out and lightly blend before serving.
More Smoothie Recipes
ENJOY!
Tools Used In This Recipe
Immunity Boosting Smoothie Recipe
Help keep common colds and flu at bay with this sweet and tart Immunity Boosting Smoothie. Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, this smoothie acts as medicine but tastes like dessert!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 serves
Calories: 151 kcal
:
Ingredients
- 1 carrot, washed, peeled, and chopped into about 5 pieces
- 1 banana, peeled and chopped
- 1 whole clementine, peeled, segmented
- 1 inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 6 to 8 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup ice
- sweetener, optional
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender in order listed (sweetener is optional); process until completely blended.
Taste for sweetness and adjust accordingly.
Recipe Notes
- If using a sweetener, I recommend using honey because honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties help improve the digestive system and boost immunity. If using honey, blend it with the rest of the ingredients.
- If you’re looking for a thicker smoothie, blend in more ice to make it thicker.
WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 3
Nutrition Facts
Immunity Boosting Smoothie Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 61mg3%
Potassium 649mg19%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 5303IU106%
Vitamin C 73mg88%
Calcium 112mg11%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
