4 Health-Focused Smoothies That Will Brighten Your Day And Your Socials
If you’re constantly going non-stop, finding easy nutrient-packed foods that make you feel good is clutch. Enter, collagen-packed smoothies.
“Collagen is a type of protein in the body that is widely distributed in the tissues, like muscle and skin, in the blood, and even in bone,” says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, a registered dietitian and owner of Bazilian Health, based in San Diego. “It plays a role in healthy joint function and elasticity—the ability to stretch and move—and in the plumpness and elasticity of our skin as well.”
When seeking out the right collagen option for you as you walk the aisles of your local
The Vitamin Shoppe, Bazilian suggests, look for hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides, which are the most digestible forms. “Most collagen supplements are sourced from cows, poultry (chicken), or pigs, but some marine sources are now on the market too,” she says. “There are some vegan powders, which are collagen builders. These are less common and there is less research—and thus more unknowns—about their potential benefits.”
In the below smoothies, the collagen is paired with the building blocks of good health, inside and out: Antioxidants as well as vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, and fiber round them out in varying degrees. As an added bonus, they each look as good as they will make you feel. In fact, they’re so pretty, you won’t be able to resist posting a snap of each one to your grid.
Matcha Latte—Boosted“If you have concerns about skin health or aging, focus on adequate hydration, protein, and essential nutrient intake,” says Stephanie Hnatiuk, a registered dietitian based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This recipe checks all those boxes, especially if a matcha latte is already your drink of choice.
8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp. matcha powder
½ small avocado, peeled and pitted
1 tbsp. dark maple syrup
1 c. loosely packed baby spinach
1 scoop unflavored collagen powder
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until leaves are dissolved or no longer visible, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
221 calories, 22 g carbohydrates, 15 g fat, 4 g protein, 6 g fiber
Purple Packed Powerhouse
Antioxidants—naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables—help the body fight damage from chemicals that wreak havoc inside it. This smoothie is full of antioxidant-rich berries that can help fortify your defenses.
8 oz. unsweetened coconut water
1 3.5-oz frozen açai pack
1 c. frozen mixed berries
2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds
1 scoop unflavored collagen powder
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
334 calories, 53 g carbohydrates, 8 g fat, 15 g protein, 12 g fiber
Tropical-Island Mood
“There are many nutrients involved in the health and proper function of our skin,” says Hnatiuk, “but a few key favorites of mine include vitamin C, an antioxidant that is used by the body to create collagen proteins, as well as omega-3 fats and vitamin E—both found in foods such as hemp hearts or flaxseeds.” This smoothie contains all of the above.
4 oz. pineapple juice
⅓ c. plain Greek yogurt
⅓ c. frozen diced mango
⅓ c. frozen sliced strawberries
⅓ c. frozen sliced bananas
1 scoop unflavored collagen powder
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
234 calories, 38 g carbohydrates, 2 g fat, 18 g protein, 3 g fiber
Triple-A Smoothie
The carrots, sweet potato, and peaches in this blend will give you a boost of carotenoids—naturally occurring plant nutrients and pigments that are converted to vitamin A in the body. “Getting more carotenoid-rich fruits and veggies in your diet can actually give your skin a brighter, sun-kissed, healthy glow without any harmful UV exposure,” Bazilian says.
8 oz. carrot juice
½ c. cooked and mashed sweet potato
⅓ c. frozen sliced peaches
2 tsp. honey
¼ c. frozen sliced bananas
1 scoop unflavored collagen powder
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
441 calories, 86 g carbohydrates, 6 g fat, 14 g protein, 6 g fiber
