How to Make the Best Detox Smoothie

Today I’m sharing my foolproof system for making delicious detox smoothies.

You can prepare a smoothie in less than 10 minutes. And the best part is, you don’t even have to turn on the oven!

My criteria for a great detox smoothie

When I make a smoothie, it has to meet three basic criteria:

1. It has to look stunning: We eat with our eyes first, and no one wants to drink anything that looks like swamp water!

2. It has to be devastatingly delicious: Life is too short to eat food that is not tasty.

3. It has to be nutrient dense and with great ingredients.

I start every day with a smoothie and I think they can be enjoyed every day. However, I recommend alternating your ingredients with a variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and veggies, herbs, and spices so you don’t overdo it with one ingredient. Mix things up!

Fruits and vegetables begin to oxidize as soon as you cut them open, so it’s always best to enjoy them the moment they’re made to minimize nutrient breakdown and get the most bang for your buck.

However, we are all busy and it is not always possible to drink your smoothie right away. If you’re making a smoothie in the morning to drink later in the day (or the night before to drink it in the morning), you’re still getting a lot of good out of your ingredients. Close the smoothie in a jar immediately after preparation, keep it in the fridge and shake it again before enjoying.

My Favorite Ingredients for Detox Smoothies (And Why)

coconut water: After simply filtered water, coconut water is my top choice for smoothies. Low in calories and carbohydrates and almost entirely fat-free, coconut water pairs well with most fruits and vegetables. It’s also a natural energy drink rich in electrolytes that help keep you hydrated.

Spinach: Fortified with iron and other minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, protein, antioxidants, fiber and anti-inflammatory power, this leafy legend is a cleansing champ that boosts the immune system. With a mild flavor that’s easily masked by fruits and veggies, spinach is my top choice for introductory green smoothies. You can add 1 to 2 cups to any mixture without really changing the flavor.

beets: Rich in dietary iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, fiber and nitrates, beets build mineral-rich blood to boost detoxification. Grate raw beets with conventional blenders for the smoothest texture, or lightly steam them to make them tastier.

apples: Pectin is a soluble fiber found in apples that helps cleanse the colon for healthy digestion. Apple pectin lowers the body’s insulin requirements and keeps the glycemic index of apples low. Many of the nutrients and fiber in apples are concentrated in the skin, so make sure to take the skins with you too!

strawberries: Strawberries are relatively low in sugar and still offer a lot of taste. Rich in phytonutrients, vitamin C, mineral buffers and omega-3 fatty acids, these righteous red berries are brimming with antioxidants to fight inflammation in the eyes, muscles and blood. Strawberries are high in fiber and are great for digestion and detoxification. Strawberries add sweetness to smoothies; Throw them in fresh or frozen.

Pineapple: Bromelain, the protein-digesting enzyme in pineapple, amplifies the power of its vitamin C content to clear respiratory congestion, suppress coughs, loosen phlegm, flush out toxins, reduce swelling and bloating, and stimulate circulation for deep detoxification. Use pineapples fresh or frozen.

Lemon: Low in sugar and full of nutrients, lemons are detox divas. Lemons are fortified with antioxidant vitamin C, antibiotic phytonutrients and B vitamins. The citric acid in lemons aids in digestion, while ascorbic acid fights free radicals.

Lemon peels are particularly rich in antioxidants, so add some punch to your shakes for an extra boost of nutrients and flavor.

Cayenne pepper: I take every opportunity to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to smoothies. It adds a crazy-amazing taste and healing potential. One of the most powerful detox foods, cayenne pepper warms the body to sweat out toxins. Antibiotic and antifungal in nature, cayenne pepper is also a powerful immune booster.

Broccoli: Broccoli is one of the richest sources of glucosinolates – some of the most potent toxins found in food. Armed with an arsenal of antioxidants, minerals, flavonoids, carotenoids, omega-3s, and fiber, these fierce buds fight inflammation, oxygenate the blood, and banish bad bacteria for better digestion.

I fortify most smoothies with 1/4 to 1/2 cup raw frozen broccoli. Because our taste buds are temperature sensitive, we can’t taste the full dimension of flavors in extremely cold temperatures, so you can slip frozen florets into smoothies unnoticed.

Now it is your turn!

Below are my basic steps for spectacular smoothies, with suggestions for including the best detox foods. Feel free to swap out or add other ingredients you like! Just select your ingredients, mix and enjoy!

1. Choose a base liquid: You can use 1 to 2 cups of filtered water, raw coconut water, unsweetened almond milk or hemp milk, fresh apple or orange juice, herbal tea, green tea, unsweetened kefir, or kombucha.
2. Choose your basic ingredients: Add 2 cups of fresh or frozen fruit or vegetables, such as apple, orange, kiwi, cantaloupe, berries, beets, cucumber, pineapple, mango, or peaches.
3. Add some creaminess: Banana, avocado, coconut meat, unsweetened plain yogurt, blanched almonds or almond butter add richness and creaminess to smoothies.
4. Add some green: Next, add 1 to 2 cups of spinach, romaine lettuce, or radish; 1 cup kale, bok choy, chard, cabbage, beet greens; or 1/4 cup arugula or dandelion greens.
5. Boost the nutrients: Choose one or more of the following: 1 tablespoon chia, hemp or flax seeds; 1 tablespoon coconut, flax, or hemp oil; 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon superfood powders like açaí, pomegranate, camu, maqui, goji, wheatgrass, or broccoli sprouts; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon spirulina or chlorella; or add 1/4 cup frozen raw broccoli or cauliflower.
6. Add some magic: Stimulate the taste fever with spices! Add a pinch to 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, turmeric, or curry powder, or 1/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or fresh ginger. Or try fresh (not dried) herbs like 1 1/2 teaspoons rosemary or 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup parsley, cilantro, basil or mint. Lift the spiciness of earthy root or leafy greens with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon lemon or lime zest.
7. Mixture! Place all the ingredients in your blender and blow on high for 30-60 seconds until smooth and creamy.

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