Red velvet superfood smoothie – dairy and refined sugar free

This red velvet smoothie is as pretty as a picture and loaded with superfoods.  It’s made with almond milk and contains blueberries, nut butter, beetroot powder and cacao superfood blend.  This is my go to breakfast or lunch on the run.

Blueberries are sweet, nutritious and wildly popular.  They are low in calories but high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.  Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of all commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.  Several studies have shown that blueberries can protect against DNA damage, a leading driver of aging and cancer.  The antioxidants in blueberries have been shown to protect LDL lipoproteins (the bad cholesterol) from oxidative damage, a crucial step in the pathway towards heart disease.  Several more studies have shown that blueberries have anti-diabetic effects, helping to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.

Beetroot is a delicious and versatile vegetable that is easy to add to your diet. Choose beets that are heavy for their size with green tops still attached.  Beets provide some impressive health benefits.  They are low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fibre, folate and vitamin C.  Beets also contain nitrates and pigments that may help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance.

Cacao is the unprocessed chocolate superfood that’s turbo charged with magnesium, flavonoids (antioxidant), calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese to name a few.  As raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans these nutritional wins aren’t lost during processing.  In addition, cacao contains a compound called phenylethylamine (PEA for short).  PEA is thought to elevate mood and support energy, and is said to be one of the reasons that many people love chocolate.

MCT or Medium Chain Triglycerides are fatty acids of a certain length, as the name suggests. MCT oil is an oil made up of one or more of these medium chain triglycerides and it is translucent and tasteless liquid at room temperature.  Medium Chain Triglycerides are considered easily digestible and beneficial fats, and instead of being metabolized through digestion like most other foods, these fats are processed in the liver. MCTs provide fast and lasting energy and are easily absorbed by the body.  MCTs may offer special benefits for those struggling with hormone imbalance. There is also research suggesting that medium chain fats may be beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight by helping balance hormones and improving insulin sensitivity.  MCTs have antiviral and antibacterial properties and there is some evidence that they may help balance gut bacteria and combat pathogenic bacteria. They also offer the digestive system a break because they are so easily utilized by the body. The same antiviral and antibacterial properties make MCTs beneficial for immune as well. Healthy fats are important for proper immune function, and since MCTs can be more easily used by the body, this may be especially beneficial for those who have trouble absorbing fats and who struggle with immune function.