Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (2024)

This wild blueberry smoothie may be low carb but it’s high in flavor and antioxidants!

… and what’s the surprise? There’s cauliflower in your smoothie! Go ahead and trick all your friends — they’ll never know!

Is your smoothie a sugar-bomb?

Here’s a common issue I see with new clients: they’re loading their smoothies up with high-sugar fruits and little else.

Mango, banana, pineapple, orange juice. Yum, right?

Yummy indeed because it’s basically a sugar-bomb.

Of course, fruits are healthier than a candy bar! They come packed with nutrients and fiber.

But chugging back a lot of high-sugar fruits in one sitting can spike and crash your blood sugar levels just like a candy bar would.

Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (1)

So it’s no surprise, then, that these ladies who start their day with sugary smoothies get that telltale mid-morning or mid-afternoon (or both!) energy crash that comes along with imbalanced blood sugar levels.

… that unhealthy blood sugar spike and crash that leaves you tired, hungry, and hangry, not to mention suppresses your immune system, promotes weight gain, and spikes acne-causing androgen hormones.

No, we don’t want this!

But it’s easy to craft low carb smoothies… without sacrificing taste!

There are a few staple ingredients I always keep stocked…

BERRIES

Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (2)

Berries are much lower in sugar compared to other fruits, which is why they’re a perfect addition to low carb smoothie recipes. Raspberries are also especially fiber-full, helping to reduce the net carbs (more about net carbs below!).

I always keep frozen organic strawberries, raspberries, and wild blueberries (MUCH more flavorful and have more antioxidants than regular blueberries) in my freezer — frozen organic produce is often much more reasonably priced than fresh, but just as nutritious.

CAULIFLOWER

Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (3)

Cauliflower in a smoothie!? Yes!

As with frozen greens, you can hardly taste frozen cauliflower, and it provides the same creaminess as banana but with much less sugar.

Remember: it’s not just about about carbs. Fiber, fat, and protein matter too.

Because these all help to balance the carbs and sugars in your smoothie, mitigating the effect on blood sugar.

They’re also the key to a satisfying smoothie that will keep you full until your next meal!

FIBER

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that has no effect on blood sugar. In fact, fiber slows glucose absorption into the bloodstream and so helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels.

For this reason, the “net carbs” of a serving of food — or the only carbs that really count in terms of the effect on blood sugar — are the total amount of carbs minus the fiber.

Let’s look at avocado for example:

Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (4)

See how 1 avocado has 17 g carbs and 13 g fiber? This means there are just 4 g net carbs in 1 avocado! So it’s a very low-carb fruit (yep, avocados are berries!).

All fruits and vegetables come packaged with fiber though the amount varies. You can also add chia seeds, flax seeds, or acacia fiber powder for a bit more fiber and blood sugar support.

PROTEIN

Protein slows glucose absorption into the bloodstream and so helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels. So in other words, it helps balance out the natural sugars from any fruits in your smoothie.

I aim to include 15-20 g of protein with each smoothie.

Note: Plant-based protein powders can cause bloating and gas. If this is the case for you, or if you struggle with digestive issues, I recommend using collagen peptides as your protein powder. Collagen is my personal favorite protein powder powder of choice for this reason and a few others (joint, skin, hair, and nail health!), and this is my collagen of choice — it’s the best price for the quality!

Related:

HEALTHY FAT

*One last time!* Like protein and fiber, fat slows glucose absorption into the bloodstream and so so helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Fat also keeps skin soft and supple, and is essential for healthy hormones.

I aim to include 12-14 grams of healthy fat in each smoothie.

Try adding 1/2 an avocado, a small handful of nuts, or 1 tablespoon of nut butter, full-fat coconut milk / cream, or coconut oil.

Wild Blueberry “Surprise!” Low Carb Smoothie Recipe

Makes: 16 oz – 1 smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4cupfresh or frozen wild* blueberries
  • 1/4banana
  • 1/2cupfrozen cauliflower florets
  • 1/2avocado
  • 2 tbs collagen peptides OR 1 serving protein powder of choice
  • 1 tsplemon juice
  • 1cup unsweetened nut milk or water, plus more as needed

DIRECTIONS:

  • Add all ingredients to a blender.
  • Add more nut milk or water if needed.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Enjoy!

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Wild Blueberry “Surprise!” Low Carb Smoothie

Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (5)

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This wild blueberry smoothie may be low carb but it’s high in flavor and antioxidants!

… and what’s the surprise? There’s cauliflower in your smoothie! Go ahead and trick all your friends — they’ll never know!

  • Author: Nadia Neumann | Body Unburdened
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 5 min
  • Yield: 16 oz 1x
  • Category: Smoothies
  • Cuisine: Low-Carb

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3/4cupfresh or frozen wild* blueberries
  • 1/4banana
  • 1/2cupfrozen cauliflower florets
  • 1/2avocado
  • 2 tbs collagen peptides OR 1 serving protein powder of choice
  • 1 tsplemon juice
  • 1cup unsweetened nut milk or water, plus more as needed

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender.
  • Add more nut milk or water if needed.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16 oz
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30
  • Fiber: 12
  • Protein: 20 g
Wild Blueberry "Surprise!" Low Carb Smoothie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Will I lose weight if I just drink smoothies for a week? ›

In theory, yes, a smoothie-only diet can result in weight loss. Fruit and vegetable smoothies can be a great alternative to an otherwise unhealthy snack. They can satiate you for a time and offer important nutrients. That being said, mixing up your smoothies each day can be inconvenient.

Can I just drink smoothies instead of eating? ›

According to Young, smoothies may not always be the best meal replacement. If you're making a smoothie for breakfast but don't use enough protein, fiber, and healthy fats, your drink may provide calories that aren't going to sustain you.

Can I just drink smoothies everyday? ›

Occasionally drinking smoothies with added sugar is okay. However, too much is not good, as sugar-rich smoothies are unhealthy and low in nutrient density. Excess sugar also increases the risk of diabetes, liver disease, and heart disease.

How many blueberries can you eat on keto? ›

A one-cup serving of blueberries is around 18 grams of net carbohydrates, much higher than the other berries on the list. However, you could most likely fit one-quarter to one-half of a cup into your daily menu while staying in ketosis.

How much weight can you lose on a 3 day smoothie diet? ›

The 3-Day Diet claims dieters can lose up to 10 pounds in three days. Weight loss is possible on The 3 Day Diet, but only because it is very low in calories. And realistically, most of that weight is likely water weight and not fat loss because the diet is so low in carbohydrates.

Can you lose weight by just having smoothies? ›

Yes and no. While most weight loss experts don't recommend substituting smoothies for every meal of the day, drinking them here or there (or even daily) can support weight loss goals. It all depends on what they contain and, of course, their portion size.

What not to put in a smoothie for weight loss? ›

7 Ingredients You Should Never Add to Your Weight Loss Smoothie
  1. Fruit Juice. Arguably the most common mistake people make when preparing smoothies is adding fruit juice. ...
  2. Flavored Yogurt. ...
  3. Highly Processed Protein Powders. ...
  4. Milk. ...
  5. Super Sweet Fruits. ...
  6. Added Sweeteners. ...
  7. Too Many Healthy Fats.

What is the smoothie diet for 21 days? ›

The 21-Day Smoothie Diet is a 3-week diet plan that involves replacing two meals per day with smoothies. The program claims to enhance immunity, boost energy levels, improve skin and gut health, and increase weight loss quickly.

When should I drink smoothies to lose weight? ›

When is the Best Time to Have a Smoothie?
  1. In the Morning. If you typically have a hard time getting started in the morning, prepping your smoothie ingredients in your blend cup or pitcher in advance makes things easier. ...
  2. Before and After a Workout. ...
  3. Lunch On-The-Go. ...
  4. Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth. ...
  5. For Sleep and Relaxation.
Oct 3, 2019

Why am I still hungry after a smoothie? ›

Smoothies also go down faster than foods that need to be chewed, so your brain often doesn't get the signal as quickly as it should that you're full and need to stop eating, Warren says. The faster it's in and out of you, the less full you feel.

Why does my stomach hurt after I drink a smoothie? ›

If you're adding nuts or cashews to your smoothie, they can cause problems as they're hard for the digestive system to break down. Another common culprit could be your protein. Many cheap proteins are filled with unnecessary fillers and artificial sugars that can cause digestive upset.

What is the lowest carb fruit? ›

Watermelon, the sweet summertime treat, is 92% water and the lowest-carb fruit by far, with 7.5 carbs for every 100 grams. It also has lots of vitamins A and C. Enjoy one cup, or 10 watermelon balls if you're feeling fancy.

Can I eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Are wild blueberries keto friendly? ›

Blueberries are healthy and nutritious, and raw blueberries can easily be part of your keto diet — especially if you're counting total carbs rather than net carbs. However, dried blueberries and most food products made with blueberries will be too high in carbs for keto.

How much of a smoothie should you drink for weight loss? ›

While there are many different smoothie recipes that you can use for weight loss, the general rule of thumb is to incorporate smoothies in place of meals 1 or 2 meals per day. This will help to reduce your overall calorie intake and give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly.

How many smoothies should I eat a week to lose weight? ›

Two smoothies a day can be a part of a healthy weight loss plan, but it's crucial to ensure they don't become the entirety of your diet. Use smoothies as a supplement to well-rounded meals rather than a replacement. This ensures you get the variety of nutrients your body needs for sustained energy and overall health.

How many smoothies should I drink to lose weight? ›

Drinking one a day can be helpful in meeting your recommended amount of daily nutrients. But consider your overall health and diet when determining if you should drink one (or more than one).

Can a smoothie be all of your 5 a day? ›

5 A Day in juices and smoothies

Unsweetened 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies can only ever count as a maximum of 1 portion of your 5 A Day. For example, if you have 2 glasses of fruit juice and a smoothie in 1 day, that still only counts as 1 portion.

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