These smoothies come from a fall detox designed by two local health coaches to “nip the winter weight gain pattern in the bud.” They make good use of blood- and cell-detoxifying cruciferous veggies, anti-inflammatory fruits, and naturally detoxifying and warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Incorporate the smoothies into your daily routine to start the holiday season off on the right foot, or even try the full detox for a change-of-seasons health overhaul.
Apple Pie Smoothie
This tastes like apple pie in a glass, but saves you several hundred calories.
Nutrition (using applesauce, almond milk, and flaxseed): 225 calories, 7.1 grams fat, 39.5 grams carbohydrates, 7.9 grams fiber, 31.6 grams sugar, and 4.4 grams protein.
Ingredients:
1 apple, chopped, or 1 cup unsweetened organic applesauce (depending on whether you have a high-speed blender)
1 cup unsweetened almond, rice, or coconut milk
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Very thin slice of fresh ginger (the equivalent of a “pinch”)
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of Celtic sea salt
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or chia seeds
Blend all ingredients until smooth; add ice if desired.
Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie
Get your Starbucks fix at home with infinitely more nutritional value.
Nutrition (using flaxseeds and almond milk): 163 calories, 8 grams fat, 20.9 grams carbohydrates, 10.3 grams fiber, 6.1 grams sugar, and 6 grams protein.
Ingredients:
¾ cup puréed pumpkin (from a can is fine)
1 cup unsweetened coconut, hemp, almond, or rice milk
A few drops of stevia (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or chia seeds
¼ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend all ingredients until smooth; add ice if desired.
Kale and Orange Creamsicle
This one is packed with vitamins A and C. Don’t let the green color scare you—it’s actually tasty, we promise.
Nutrition (using 1 cup almond milk, ½ cup kale, and chia seeds): 205 calories, 4.9 grams fat, 34.3 grams carbohydrates, 13.7 grams fiber, 18.2 grams sugar, and 8 grams protein.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped kale (start with ½ cup if you don’t have a high-speed blender)
1 orange, peeled
½ to 1 cup unsweetened coconut, almond, hemp, or rice milk
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or chia seeds
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
A few drops of stevia (optional)
Blend all ingredients until smooth; add ice if desired.
Holistic health coaches Jaime Bakoss and Colleen DiPietro created the seven-day fall detox plan, which favors nourishing whole foods over the comforting sweets that often dominate the season.
Are you a nutrition expert with a delicious and nutritious recipe? Share it with us at wellbeing@washingtonian.com, and we may feature it on Well+Being!
For more healthy dishes, visit Well+Being’s Healthy Recipes page.
