Anti-Inflammatory Cherry-Spinach Smoothie

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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.

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Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Servings:
1
Yield:
1 3/4 cups

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

  1. 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.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, June 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

410 Calories
20g Fat
47g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 1 3/4 cups
Calories 410
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 47g 17%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 33g
Protein 17g 35%
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Vitamin A 3532IU 71%
Vitamin C 25mg 27%
Folate 92mcg 23%
Sodium 169mg 7%
Calcium 479mg 37%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 141mg 33%
Potassium 1163mg 25%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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