Brain-Boosting Blueberry Smoothie

5 from 1 vote

I make this smoothie almost every week and I honestly look forward to it every single time. It's thick, creamy, naturally sweet, and packed with five research-backed ingredients that may help protect your brain — oh, and you won't taste the spinach at all!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Breakfast

Diet: Vegan

Servings: smoothie

Calories: 520kcal

Author: Allie Petersen

Ingredients

1.5 cups frozen blueberries
1 cup fresh spinach or baby kale
1 cups soy milk
0.5 frozen banana
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
2 tablespoons raw walnuts
1 tablespoons ground flaxseed

Instructions

Add liquid before anything else: Add 1 cup soy milk to the blender first. This helps everything blend smoothly without getting stuck.
Add remaining ingredients: Add 1 cups fresh spinach, 1.5 cups frozen blueberries, 0.5 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons walnuts, 1 tablespoons ground flax, and 0.3 cups old fashioned oats (¼ cup) to the blender.
Blend on high: Blend on high for 1 minute until completely smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a splash more soy milk. If you want it sweeter, add some maple syrup or agave.
Tip: Because this smoothie contains walnuts and oats, it needs a little more blending time than a traditional smoothie. Blend on high for a full minute — and a bit longer if needed — to get a perfectly smooth, creamy texture.
Serve: Pour into a glass and top with a few extra blueberries, granola, and/or walnuts for presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

5 to Thrive Ingredients in This Recipe: This smoothie contains five research-backed brain-protective ingredients — blueberries, spinach, walnuts, ground flax, and oats — all linked to likely reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Tips:

Use frozen blueberries over fresh for a thicker, colder smoothie without needing ice. I made this smoothie with fresh blueberries and it turned out gloopy and not as refreshing.
The spinach completely disappears into the blueberries — you won't taste it at all, but you'll get all the brain-boosting benefits!
Soak your oats in the soy milk for 5 minutes before blending for an even creamier texture
Ground flax is better absorbed by the body than whole flax seeds, so make sure it's ground
For a sweeter smoothie, add a drizzle of maple syrup or a pitted dates
This smoothie is best served immediately.

A Note on Calories: This smoothie comes in at approximately 500 calories, which is a little higher than a typical smoothie. The walnuts are the main reason for that — but don't let that discourage you! Walnuts are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat and are packed with brain-boosting benefits. This smoothie is also very satiating, meaning you'll stay full all morning long. If you'd prefer a lower calorie option, simply leave out the walnuts and you'll save about 130 calories.

Nutrition