Being backed up stinks, for lack of a better word. But these smoothie and drink recipes are here to help.
These recipes are loaded with avocado and chia seeds to make your gut happy.
With 6 or more grams of fiber per serving, they can help get you regular and back to thinking about things other than digestion.
- Orange-Mango Smoothie
The vitamin C from the oranges helps support immune health, making this smoothie a great staple during cold and flu season. Plus, it tastes just like a creamsicle. If you don’t have almond milk, any other dairy or nondairy milk will work.
RECIPE;
Combine 2 chopped oranges, ½ cup almond milk, ⅓ cup sliced banana and ⅓ cup mango in a blender. Puree on High until smooth, about 1 minute.
2. Healthy Gut Tonic with Chia
When you’re feeling backed-up, this high-fiber chia concoction can help make your bathroom routine smoother. The chia seeds form a gel-like consistency to help move digestion along easily, and the kick of cayenne pepper acts as an intestinal stimulant.
RECIPE:
Combine chia seeds, lemon juice and cayenne in a mug or glass; add water. Stir continuously until the chia seeds gel and become suspended throughout the water, 30 seconds.
3. Mango-Turmeric Smoothie
Kick-start your mornings with this speedy smoothie packed with tropical fruit flavors. Its lively yellow hue is boosted by anti-inflammatory turmeric. Ginger provides a zesty kick, but feel free to omit it for a milder flavor.
RECIPE:
Place mango, banana, coconut milk, yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, cardamom and ginger (if using) in a blender. Process until smooth, about 20 seconds. Pour into a glass; garnish with coconut and ground turmeric, if desired.
4. Avocado & Banana Smoothie
If you love a creamy smoothie, this one’s for you. The fiber-rich banana increases the creaminess, especially when blended with the coconut or almond milk. Honey adds a touch of sweetness, and ice cubes make it as thick as you want.
RECIPE:
Add 1 banana, 1/2 avocado, 2 teaspoons honey, 5 or 6 ice cubes and 2/3 cup coconut milk (or almond milk) to a blender. Blend on medium-low speed, using the tamper as necessary, until well combined.
5. Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie
Blend almond milk, strawberry and pineapple for a smoothie that’s so easy you can make it on busy mornings. A bit of almond butter adds richness and filling protein.
RECIPE:
Combine strawberries, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter in a blender. Process until smooth, adding more almond milk, if needed, for desired consistency. Serve immediately.
6. Kale & Apple Smoothie
Apple slices and nut butter are a favorite after-school snack, and they taste just as satisfying in this smoothie. Pick your favorite nut butter: cashew for a less-prominent nutty flavor, or almond or peanut butter for a stronger taste.
RECIPE:
Add kale, apple, cashew butter (or other nut butter), honey, ice cubes and almond milk (or other milk) to a blender. Blend on medium-low speed, using the tamper as necessary, until well combined.
7. Grape Smoothie
Calling all grape lovers! This grape smoothie features plenty of frozen sweet red grapes that combine with banana and vanilla Greek-style yogurt, which both add creaminess, while berries add color and fruity flavor to complement the grapes.
RECIPE:
Step 1; Wash grapes and dry well with paper towels. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until completely firm, about 4 hours.
Step 2;
Place the frozen grapes, strawberries, blueberries, banana, yogurt, water and salt in a blender; process until completely smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the sides and stir the mixture as necessary. Pour into 2 large glasses. Garnish each smoothie with 3 grapes threaded onto a wooden pick, if desired. Serve immediately.
8. Aloe Smoothie
Many people swear by aloe for glowing skin, and this smoothie is a delicious way to get it into your diet. Some people don’t love the flavor of aloe, so this recipe has plenty of fruit to help balance the flavors.
RECIPE:
Place pineapple, mango, kale, coconut milk beverage, aloe and ginger in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Serve sprinkled with chia seeds, if desired.
9. Ultimate Healthy Breakfast Smoothie
This healthy breakfast smoothie recipe is packed with protein, fiber, unsaturated fats and essential vitamins and minerals. Follow our simple formula, memorize the ingredient amounts, then customize to your liking. Even better, our supercharged breakfast smoothie tastes great and keeps you full until lunchtime. We keep a running stock of frozen bananas to give our smoothies a thicker consistency, but a handful of ice achieves a similar effect.
RECIPE:
Slice the banana and either slice or chop other large fruit into smaller pieces. Small bits of fruit make it easier for your blender to blend to an even consistency.
10. Gut-Friendly Green Wellness Shot
This wellness shot recipe for the gut sets the stage for a healthy microbiome with plenty of prebiotic foods like kiwis, apples and spinach. This naturally sweet and well-balanced shot can keep in the fridge for up to one week to reinvigorate your gut anytime you need it.
RECIPE:
Step 1;
Combine kiwis, apple, 1 cup each spinach, pineapple and coconut water, ½ cup mango, ¼ cup each lemon juice and celery juice, 1 tablespoon chia seeds and 2 teaspoons ginger in a high-speed blender; process until smooth, about 1 minute. (Alternatively, process in a regular blender until smooth, about 3 minutes.)
Step 2;
Divide the mixture among 4 (6-ounce) bottles. Cover and refrigerate the shots until chilled, about 15 minutes.