This healthy smoothie is not only delicious–it also boosts your daily dose of anti-inflammatory foods. It starts with a base of creamy gut-friendly kefir and includes cherries, which can lower the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Heart-healthy fats in avocado, almond butter and chia seeds deliver additional anti-inflammatory compounds to the body, while spinach offers a mix of antioxidants that sweep up harmful free radicals. Fresh ginger adds zing, plus a compound called gingerol, which preliminary studies suggest may improve inflammatory markers of heart disease if consumed daily.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Yield: 1 3/4 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Anti-Inflammatory High-Calcium Soy-Free Vegetarian High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup plain low-fat kefir
1 cup frozen cherries
½ cup baby spinach leaves
¼ cup mashed ripe avocado
1 tablespoon salted almond butter
1 (1/2 inch) piece peeled ginger
1 teaspoon chia seeds, plus more for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Place kefir in a blender.
Add cherries, spinach, avocado, almond butter, ginger and chia seeds; puree until smooth.
Pour into a glass; garnish with more chia seeds, if desired.
Nutritional Info:
Serving Size 1 3/4 cups
Servings: calories 410 total carbohydrate 47g dietary fiber 10g total sugars 33g protein 17g total fat 20g saturated fat 4g cholesterol 13mg vitamin a 3532iu vitamin c 25mg folate 92mcg sodium 169mg calcium 479mg iron 3mg magnesium 141mg potassium 1163mg