Smoothies are a popular way to get nutrients into the body quickly, with low cost and effort. Smoothies can be consumed on the go, or gulped down in a matter of seconds when there’s no time to prepare and eat a whole meal. Smoothies are also incredibly easy to make, requiring little to no culinary skills to make them taste great.

But what should you put into the ideal smoothie? Well, the possibilities are endless. Here, we’ll talk about some of the healthiest and most nutritious ingredients you can use to create your own customized smoothie.

Whether your goal is weight loss, a boosted immune system, neutralizing free radicals, smoother skin, higher energy, better digestion, or just a healthier and younger feeling body, this list can be of great use as you find the best smoothie for you and your unique health needs.

#1 – Blueberries

Blueberries have an extremely high load of an antioxidant type called anthocyanins. These are excellent for cleaning your body of the free radicals that form each day due to poor diet, radiation, pollution, and chemical exposure. Eating high amounts of anthocyanins is associated with better health and lowered risk of many diseases. Plus, adding blueberries to your smoothie gives it a delicious taste and beautiful color. Remember, we eat with our eyes first, and blueberries are excellent for that!

#2 – Wine

Yes, wine! Wine contains the same anthocyanins as blueberries, plus resveratrol, one of the most well-known and potent antioxidant sources on the planet. Getting plenty of resveratrol into your diet is associated with better heart health, and there is evidence that resveratrol has longevity-boosting properties to help you naturally live a long life. Of course, wine also contains alcohol, so you should be careful to use it in moderation, and not to drive or operate machinery after consuming your wine smoothie. Alcohol also has health drawbacks, so be careful to balance these when considering using wine in your smoothie. You may also consider using non-alcoholic wine to accomplish the same health goals, without the buzz.

#3 – Walnuts

Walnuts are an underrated health food. While almonds have gotten much of the glory in recent years for their health properties – like high fiber, clean protein, and loads of good fats and Vitamin E – Walnuts have many of the same properties, with a different flavor that many find to be a great way to vary the flavor of their food. In fact, because walnuts are used so heavily in baked goods, a nice dose of walnuts in your smoothie could make it taste more like a tasty bakery dessert! Try it in a smoothie that also contains banana, pumpkin, and/or cinnamon for the ultimate effect. Speaking of which…

#4 – Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a completely underrated superfood, but an excellent one. Not only is it the signature flavor of fall, it’s also one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Naturally low in sugar, pumpkin is an extremely potent source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is associated with healthy cell growth and replication, something your body needs to keep its systems young, as well as keep skin and eyes healthy. In fact, those who want to battle wrinkles are recommended to enjoy plenty of VItamin A-rich foods to keep skin turnover healthy. Not to mention, pumpkin is high in healthy fiber, to help keep the digestive system regular, and to help suppress appetite. Low in calories + high in fiber = an excellent weight loss food! Consider adding a few scoops into your next smoothie.

#5 – Greens, greens, greens!

If you’re like most people and struggle to get loads of leafy dark green vegetables into your diet, a smoothie is the perfect solution. Greens are necessary for a healthy diet due to the loads of micronutrients, trace minerals, antioxidants, and polyphenols provided in their leaves. However, most people don’t get enough. Tossing a few handfuls into the blender, however, can solve this issue. Even if you are not a fan of the flavor, it is easy to cover up with other ingredients, but can help power the cells in your body and increase your energy and natural disease-fighting abilities long-term. Kale, swiss chard, and spinach are just a few of the top options. Often you can buy multiple types at once in a pre-packaged “power greens” blend for added convenience. We recommend buying organic to keep as many pesticides as possible out of your healthy smoothie!

#6 – Raw Local Honey

Honey is an excellent choice of sweetener, if you choose to use one. While many choose to skip sweeteners for weight loss or blood sugar maintenance reasons, those who do choose to sweeten their smoothie would be wise to choose a raw, local honey. Honey has properties that give it a notable edge over refined sugar or other types of sweeteners. First, it has a lower glycemic index, meaning it should not raise blood sugar as rapidly or dramatically as other forms of sweetener. Second, there is some evidence that honey may have anti-microbial properties, which may be beneficial to your health, especially in the gut. Third, it is simply delicious! Be sure to use honey in moderation so as not to have too much sugar in your smoothie.

#7 – Cinnamon

Speaking of blood sugar, cinnamon has been studied for its potential to help keep normal blood sugar stable. It also contains antioxidants, and may help boost metabolism. Perhaps the most interesting part of cinnamon however, is its unique ability to add flavor to your smoothie without adding excessive calories or sugar. In fact, some who begin using cinnamon find they no longer need a sweetener, thus naturally reducing the calorie count of their smoothie. Reducing calorie counts daily can lead to weight loss and a flatter belly, so consider adding some cinnamon to your smoothie in place of sweetener, and watch to see if you experience results!

#8 – Avocado

Avocado is a great source of unsaturated fats – the kind that are healthy for your heart, skin, brain, and body overall. Although high in calories, don’t think of avocados the same way you think of a hamburger and fries. The quality nutrients include Vitamin E, which is important for skin and heart health, and is a powerful natural antioxidant. The fat in avocado also lends itself to high satiation, meaning it acts as a type of appetite suppressant, and may help you not to snack throughout the day. Also, fun fact: Avocado is actually a fruit! So putting it into a smoothie seems a very natural thing to do, and indeed, is a very healthy choice.

#9 – Olive Oil

It may sound odd, but olive oil is an excellent choice for adding healthy fats to your smoothie, making it more filling, and making it even more powerful for your health overall. Just like avocado, olive oil is very fatty in a good way. Even though it is high in calories, the extra filling effect it provides may help with weight loss when used in moderation. Olive oil is also high in special fatty acids that are key to brain and heart health, as well as polyphenols that help raise energy and ward off many health issues. Olive oil is also a staple of the Mediterranean Diet, widely considered the healthiest diet on the planet, and can lead to a healthy weight (even with all those oils and fats!). Taste-wise, olive oil is more neutral than one might think, so it goes well with both savory and sweet dishes. Perhaps you have mostly eaten olive oil on savory dishes – however, in some parts of the world, Olive Oil Cake is an extremely popular dessert! That means adding olive oil into a sweet smoothie can be a delicious and extremely healthy extra treat.

Of course, there are countless other ingredients that can make a smoothie delicious and healthy. Greek yogurt, fresh berries, exotic fruits, cruciferous veggies, healthy oils and butters, spices, even certain edible flowers can make for an exciting experience you will look forward to!

What’s your favorite smoothie recipe? Leave a comment and let us know. We would love to try it!