Blackberry Smoothie

Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to get a quick and easy dose of nutrition—and our Blackberry Smoothie is no exception. This thick, creamy concoction whips up in no time and gives you an antioxidant-filled berry boost that has just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. Read on for tips, including how to make your smoothie just the right consistency.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you, too!

• If you can't find fresh blackberries, use frozen. The blackberries will be pristine, as they've been frozen at peak ripeness. You can also purchase organically grown blackberries, and you can easily stock up on them.
• Wait to wash fresh blackberries until ready to use them. Otherwise, the berries will absorb moisture and not last as long.
• You can make this smoothie using dairy-free yogurt, if you wish. The consistency might be slightly different than going with whole milk Greek yogurt, but it will be as flavorful.
• You can add your favorite protein powder for an even thicker smoothie.
  

Nutrition Notes

• Like all berries, blackberries are loaded with antioxidants. The particular antioxidants in blackberries protect your heart and brain. Blackberries also happen to be the highest-ranked berry in protein content. Blackberries are also loaded with fiber to help keep things moving through your gut and vitamin C for a strong immune system.
• Whole-milk Greek yogurt creates the creamy base for this smoothie. The fat and protein in whole-milk Greek yogurt will provide lasting satisfaction. The protein also contributes to muscle growth and the calcium to strong bones. Because yogurt is fermented, it provides probiotics, which are bacteria that are beneficial to your gut.
• Besides adding a soothing warmth to this smoothie, ginger also provides some amazing health benefits. You probably know about its ability to soothe an upset stomach, but did you know it can also calm inflammation? There's even some evidence that it might be able to ease arthritis pain and swelling.
• The half a banana adds some carbohydrates for energy, fiber for gut health and potassium for heart health. When we think of foods with antioxidants, we typically think of colorful fruits and veggies. Maybe that's why many don't realize that bananas, despite their cream-colored flesh, also contain antioxidants. Want to add more fiber to your smoothie? Include the banana peel! It's true—you can eat banana peel. Just start with a little bit of it so you don't go into fiber overload and create an unhappy gut.