This quick, delicious and satisfying blueberry detox smoothie is packed with healthy fats from avocado and nuts, as well as protein, antioxidants and fiber. A perfectly easy, healthy smoothie to fill you up and last you through the morning.
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Why we love this recipe
This is a great, plant-based smoothie to whip up for breakfast. It’s high in healthy fiber from the nuts, contains antioxidants from the wild berries and lemon, and won’t spike your blood sugar. The avocado and nuts contain healthy fats.
A friend gave me a printed copy of this recipe nearly 8 years ago and it became a regular part of my breakfast rotation, especially if I need a breakfast on the go. As long as you keep some lemons and avocados around, everything else is either a freezer or pantry ingredient. No need to heat a burner, and the smoothie keeps me satisfied for the morning. It’s easy to clean up.
This easy blueberry smoothie is one of the recipes that I treasure for keeping my blood sugar low. You can find it in Dr. Hyman's book, The Blood Sugar Solution, and even on a feature by Dr. Oz.
Note: this is not your sweet, Jamba Juice smoothie. Wild blueberries give the smoothie just enough sweetness to overcome the natural bitterness of the nuts and the tartness of the cranberries, lemon and peel. Think of this more as a savory breakfast than a fruity treat.
TIP: to avoid needing ice for your smoothie, add all the berries frozen, and the lemon and avocado chilled.
What you will need for this Smoothie - and why
- Frozen wild blueberries. These are available in 3-pound bags at most health food stores and some supermarkets. They are more expensive than the larger cultivated blueberries, but they make up for the extra cost by being antioxidant-rich.
- Frozen cranberries. Also an excellent source of antioxidants. Cranberries contain Vitamin C and quercetin among other healthy ingredients.
- Lemon with rind. I always include the rind, and look for organic lemons to reduce the amount of pesticides. Including the Vitamin C in the lemon, the benefit of the peel is that it contains immune-boosting bioflavonoids and has antibacterial properties (Healthline)
- Almond butter. Nut butters are good sources of proteins and fats, which contribute to feeling full after eating. Nuts are a component of all Blue Zones diets and are vegan. Sensitive or allergic to nuts? Sunflower butter is a good substitute.
- Pumpkin seeds. These little green seeds are full of healthy fats, magnesium and zinc. They are also known as pepitas.
- Chia seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats and dietary fiber.
- Hemp seeds have a mild, nutty flavor. In addition to the healthy fats (linoleic acid, an omega-6, and alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3) they are more than 25 % protein.
- Walnuts. High in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants - good for your brain!
- Brazil nuts. Full of healthy fats, good for your thyroid gland, and contain selenium, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Keep your brazil nuts in the freezer to keep them from going rancid.
- Avocados contain healthy fats and many vitamins.
- Coconut butter contributes healthy oils and fiber. Learn how to make your own in this recipe.
Steps in making this Detox smoothie
- Soak the pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, and brazil nuts in the almond milk for at least 30 minutes. This will activate the enzymes for easier digestion. I usually do this step when I first wake in the morning.
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
- Add enough water so that the smoothie is drinkable.
- Or, leave it thicker, pour it into a bowl and eat with a spoon.
Blueberry Smoothie Variations and substitutions
To make this recipe nut-free:
Substitute sunflower butter for the almond butter, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds for the nuts. Instead of almond milk, use hemp, coconut, or oat milk according to what you tolerate.
To make the recipe Gluten-free.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written, but if you sub oat milk to avoid the nuts, make sure that it is gluten-free.
Dairy-free and Vegan.
There is no dairy in this recipe, and it is vegan as written.
Blueberry Detox Smoothie FAQ
For the best nutrition and flavor, enjoy this smoothie right after making it. You could keep it refrigerated for up to an hour but after that, you'll notice some bitter flavors, and the smoothie may start to separate.
Yes, by omitting the nuts, increasing the pumpkin and chia seeds, and sunbutter and hemp milk rather than almond products.
I have not tried to freeze this, but if I did, I'd try doubling the recipe and placing half in the freezer right away, to be eaten within the week.
The high-speed blender is necessary to be sure that no chunks of the nuts and lemon peel remain. I haven’t tried it in another type of blender, so I can’t comment specifically on that.
Of course, but most other fruits will increase the amounts of sugars the smoothie contains, and increase the risk of a blood sugar spike. In his book, Dr. Hyman explains the rationale about the ingredients he considers healthy in great detail.
I shared this smoothie recipe with host Angie at Fiesta Friday #417. It was featured at Fiesta Friday #418, thank you!
This smoothie was also featured as one of a delicious roundup of smoothie recipes at Eighty Recipes.
If you make this recipe or just enjoyed the post, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #amealinmind on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Blueberry Detox Smoothie - Dr. Hyman's
Equipment
- Vitamix High-Speed Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen wild blueberries
- ¼ cup frozen cranberries
- ¼ lemon with rind rind is optional but recommended
- 1 tablespoon almond butter or seed butter see post
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 walnuts
- 2 Brazil nuts
- ¼ avocado peeled
- ½ tablespoon coconut butter see note
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or hemp milk
- ½ cup water optional, or extra almond milk
Instructions
- Soak the pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, and brazil nuts in the almond milk for at least 30 minutes. This will activate the enzymes for easier digestion. I usually do this step when I first wake in the morning.
- Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
- You can leave it thicker, pour into a bowl and eat with a spoon as shown.
- Or, add enough water, or additional almond milk, so that the smoothie is drinkable to your taste.
Deborah
This blueberry smoothie looks really good. I'm sure it tastes really good with all those yummy fruits and nuts in it.
Beth
The smoothie is wonderfully dense and full of great flavors, thanks.
Jacqueline Debono
What a pretty and super healthy smoothie. I love blueberries and use them often in smoothies. Definitely want to try this version!
Beth
This is my go-to smoothie when I want a nutrition boost. I hope you enjoy it!
jenny D
I needed an early grab-and-go breakfast yesterday, so I mixed this up the night before, kept it thick, then stirred a little water into it. Delicious! Thanks for the tip that cranberries contain quercetin. I didn't know that!
Beth
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the smoothie - I appreciate knowing that it was good when made the night before, too!