Superfood Cranberry Smoothie Recipe

Cranberry Smoothie – I just love the taste of cranberries, especially in the winter months. This Superfood-Bursting Cranberry Smoothie recipe has no added sugar and packs a real superfood punch. Cranberries are full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties paired with golden flaxseeds and superfood powder.

It’s great for a light breakfast or a pre- or post-workout refresher. Or, if you are hosting a holiday get together this year, make this for a pre-party snack.

My Favorite Holiday Tip is to Drink This Cranberry Smoothie Pre-Party!

The most important tip for eating clean throughout the holiday season is to never head to a party starving. It is almost impossible to pass up those indulgent party hors d’oeuvres or decadent desserts if your stomach is grumbling.

This delightful Superfood Cranberry Smoothie will take the edge off your hunger but it won’t leave you feeling too full. Each cup has an astonishing array of phytonutrients, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. This cranberry smoothie is also the perfect way to fill in much-needed nutrient gaps during this hectic time of year.

Boost the Cranberry Smoothie with Superfood Powders

Although the Cranberry Smoothie is already rich in nutrients as-is, you might want to consider adding in a specialty superfood. The best way to do this is in the form of freeze-dried goji powder and pomegranate powder, or both!

Freeze-dried superfood powder offers all of the benefits of the whole berry in an easy-to-use and more digestible form. With just one tablespoon of goji powder and pomegranate powder per serving, you will instantly boost the overall nutritional content of the Cranberry Smoothie.

Let’s Chat About Goji Berries

Goji berries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients on the planet. Turned into powder, these little berries are a powerhouse of nutrition and a great source of vitamin A and C. Plus, there are more than 20 trace minerals and vitamins such as zinc and iron.

Goji powder is also highly versatile and can be delicious with other berry smoothies. You can add the powder to chia puddings, sprinkle on oatmeal or cereal, stirred into green drinks and hot teas.

Why We Love Pomegranate Powder

In the past I have found working with fresh pomegranates to be kind of tricky, not to mention pricey. I find it much easier and more economical to use pomegranate powder instead of fresh pomegranates.

I’m especially fond of Navitas Naturals Pomegranate Powder, which is 100% certified organic, non-GMO and raw. Made from whole pomegranate fruit that is freeze-dried to protect the flavor and nutrients. The powder still delivers the super high vitamin C content and potent antioxidants, same as fresh pomegranates. To include: polyphenols and anthocyanins.

Using pomegranate powder just makes life a whole lot easier.You can use pomegranate powder on oatmeal, smoothies, green drinks, dressings and desserts.

Both superfood powders are incredibly versatile.

Health Benefits of Cranberries

Cranberries are loading with anti-inflammatory antioxidants and among the best whole foods to boost your overall health. While there are far too many health benefits of cranberries to list, here are the top few favorite reasons why we add cranberries to as many foods as we can.

#1: Cranberries are Full of Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidants

Cranberries rank the highest among fruits and vegetables that are richest in anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Cranberries are a great way to boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.

#2: Pro Gut Health and High in Fiber

High in fiber, cranberries have been studied to promote good gut health, as well as aid in regularity!

#3: Cranberries Can Help Prevent and Treat Urinary Tract Infections

As you’ve probably heard growing up, drink cranberry juice to prevent UTI’s. Well, even better, we want to encourage you to use the whole fruit (and the fiber), not just the juice. While consuming cranberries should never be substituted for medical attention, these tiny berries have long been studied for their ability to help prevent, and treat UTI’s. This is because they contain A-type proanthocyanidins, which discourages the bacteria often associated with UTI’s from sticking to the bladder.

A Quick Word About Golden Flaxseeds

In recent months, I have switched to golden flaxseeds and they do not disappoint. With the golden color, comes a nuttier flavor that is so pleasing and satisfying.

Fiber-rich golden flaxseeds are a great source of fiber that supports healthy digestion and promotes natural detoxification. Flaxseeds help remove toxic waste that the intestines clear from your blood. Then later, they help to make sure the toxins are not later reabsorbed into your bloodstream.

Fiber is not digested and basically has no calories. However, it is still very important for optimal health and achieving a healthy body weight. In general, the more fiber you eat from whole carbs, the healthier you will look and be.

Simply adding more fiber-rich food, like this Cranberry Smoothie is associated with decreased inflammation and C-reactive protein levels. People who eat the most fiber from whole carbs have smaller waists, lower insulin levels, and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and many other diseases.

More Recipes with Cranberries

If you love these tart little berries as much as we do, then here are a few more recipes to add to your menu this holiday season:

• Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice – Tangy, sweet and bursting with antioxidants, this Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice Recipe is not only a festive holiday condiment, it’s also incredibly healthy!

• Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies – My cranberry oatmeal cookies recipe is one of my favorite cookies to bake this time of year. They are chewy, sweet and delicious and always a holiday party favorite.

• Apple Cranberry Topping – Perfect for ice cream, these tart and tiny cranberries add a special seasonal kick to my ultra easy, low-sugar, Apple Cranberry Topping. The thing is cranberries can be super good for you if you just prepare them properly and refrain from adding globs of sugar.

• Cranberry Blueberry Smoothie – This Cranberry Blueberry Smoothie recipe has no added sugar and packs a real superfood punch using Cape Cod Select frozen cranberries and Wyman’s frozen wild blueberries.

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If you love the Cranberry Smoothie recipe but thirsting for a more spirited cranberry sipper, try my Cranberry-Pomegranate Cocktail.