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5 Healthy Plant-Based Smoothies You Will Love

Smoothies gained popularity with the invention of the electric blender decades ago and only keep getting better and more creative as time goes by. These thick and tasty beverages, ideal for slurping, are loaded with fruits, veggies, and other healthy ingredients. They also provide the perfect opportunity to add your own favorite supplements such as vegan protein powder, spirulina, maca, wheatgrass, hemp, acai, or powdered vitamins and minerals.

Not only are nourishing plant-based smoothies good for you and delicious, but eating more vegan foods aligns with Plant Based Treaty’s mission to promote a shift towards a plant-based food system to enable us to live safely within our planetary boundaries.

To learn more about this approach to the food system, read The Safe and Just report that raises awareness on the disturbing impacts of animal agriculture on our earth.

Smoothies come in all colors of the rainbow, here are five to get you started.

 1. Green

If you are looking for the best vegan green smoothie look no further than this healthy recipe by Nora Cooks that’s perfect for breakfast. Using a high-powered blender helps break down the greens so everything is smooth and creamy. If you aren’t a salad lover but still want the benefits of spinach, kale, or mixed super greens this is the perfect option that’s also ideal for an afternoon snack. Kale is an excellent source of vitamin C and contains calcium too, and spinach has iron and potassium. This green powerhouse contains banana, mango or pineapple, and a date for extra sweetness and is also loaded with hemp seeds, a perfect source of plant protein and a highly nutritious food that contains all nine essential amino acids.

WebMD explains the benefits of hemp seeds, “They’re over 30% fat and are rich in two essential fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6), which help reduce the risk of heart disease.”

 2. Purple

This wild blueberry and almond butter smoothie from Eating by Elaine is ideal for people that don’t want bananas. The frozen wild blueberries give the smoothie a beautiful purple color. Studies have shown that blueberries contain high antioxidant levels, help lower cholesterol levels, contain fiber to help digestion, and “are rich in vitamin K, which helps promote heart health. The vitamin is also important in bone health and blood clotting”, as outlined by WebMD.

This smoothie uses raw creamy almond butter that is high protein, healthy fats, magnesium, and a good source of fiber. It also contains dates, slivered almonds, and the option to add in hemp or chia seeds, and a sprinkle of granola on top. Or try this mouth-watering purple acai smoothie by The Simple Veganista. 

3. Orange

Start your day with an orange smoothie by Planted in the Kitchen. With winter around the corner it’s the best time to load up on oranges as they are high in vitamins C and E and help boost your immune system. This recipe contains oranges, bananas, and pineapples, for a refreshing tropical flavor that’s packed with plant-based nutrients. It calls for almond milk but is also delicious with oat or coconut milk for a creamier version.

Pumpkin lovers can check out this flavourful pumpkin smoothie by Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an American non-profit organization made up of over 17,000 physicians, dietitians, and scientists, and endorsers of the Plant Based Treaty. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, and a perfect seasonal vegetable.

4. Pink

This beautiful pink power detox smoothie is a work of art by Oh She Glows and completely loaded with vegan goodness. The pretty in pink color comes from beets that help cleanse the liver, purify the blood, and provide a source of iron; and strawberries that are high in antioxidants and rich in vitamin C. It also contains avocado which helps lower blood pressure and is high in healthy fats; celery that is rich in B vitamins and fiber; and lemon to detox and alkalize.

WebMD explains other benefits of beets. “Beets are naturally high in nitrates, which are turned into nitric oxide in the body. This compound lowers blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to relax and widen…Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps cells grow and function. Folate plays a key role in controlling damage to blood vessels, which can lower your chances of heart disease and stroke.”

Another pink smoothie is this simple and quick fantastic fruit smoothie by PCRM that’s loaded with antioxidant rich foods and is kid friendly.

5. Yellow

Wake up to a yellow ray of sunshine with a pineapple ginger smoothie by Forks Over Knives. This delectable treat is halfway between a golden milk latte and a tiki drink as it’s infused with ginger and turmeric. Turmeric has been used in India as a culinary seasoning for over 4,000 years and arrived in Europe during the Middle Ages. 

Forks Over Knives explains; “Recent scientific studies have pinpointed curcumin, a potent antioxidant compound in turmeric, as the source of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Curcumin has been linked to potential health benefits that include improving brain function, alleviating pain, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.”

This fun yellow smoothie also contains banana, pineapple, fresh ginger for antioxidants, and healthy oats for extra fiber. 

If you haven’t yet seen the iconic Forks Over Knives documentary that helped spark an entire movement, now is the perfect film to watch it as you drink your smoothie. 

Don’t forget to take the vegan pledge and download the free plant-based starter guide to learn more about delicious plant-based food options including healthy protein options.

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