Immunity-Boosting Orange Berry Smoothie

Support your immune system and fight the flu with my delicious Immunity-Boosting Orange Berry Smoothie!  A healthy body starts with eating healthy! This smoothie is not only delicious, it’s also packed with some of my favorite immunity boosters- vitamin C and probiotics.

Support your immune system with this smoothie

As an ER doctor, I’m all too familiar with the flu. Every shift, I treat patients who are battling the flu so I’m so excited to raise awareness on how to fight this serious and highly contagious illness. What are some ways you can protect yourself?

• Get a flu shot
• Wash your hands properly
• Stay hydrated
• Get enough sleep
• Support your immune system

How can you support your immune system? You can start with my Immunity-Boosting Orange Berry Smoothie. After all, a healthy body starts with eating healthy! This smoothie is not only delicious, it’s also packed with some of my favorite immunity boosters- vitamin C and probiotics.

Smoothies are another great vehicle to incorporate essential vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats into your diet.  For more information on creating the perfect smoothie, check out my Quick Guide to Making Healthy Smoothies.

Vitamin C- a powerful antioxidant

I’ve especially been loving this smoothie lately because I’m in my third trimester of pregnancy and during pregnancy, a woman’s immune system runs on low speed. So I’ve been trying to find ways to naturally boost my immune system to protect my little one and myself.

I’ve been stocking up on orange juice, which is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that’s also a powerful antioxidant. It plays a big role in maintaining a healthy immune systems. One 8-ounce glass of orange juice provides more than 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It's also a good source of potassium, folate, and thiamine- nutrients that may help strengthen your immune system.

How to make immunity-boosting orange berry smoothie

The orange juice gives this smoothie a bright, fresh, naturally sweet flavor as well as a lovely color. In addition to orange juice, I also use strawberries and raspberries in this smoothie. Berries are also an excellent source of vitamin C. I used fresh berries this time because they were abundant at the market but you can also use frozen berries if they’re not in season. I also like to toss a frozen banana into the blender because it helps to thicken the smoothie and sweeten it.

And finally, I add some Greek yogurt, which adds a tangy flavor to this smoothie. It also adds a healthy boost of protein, calcium, vitamin D and probiotics. Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of good vs. bad bacteria in your gut. This is where 70% of your immune system lives so keeping your gut in working order is essential for good health! 

This recipe is part of my 10 Healthy Smoothie Recipes For The New Year Collection

 

More Delicious Smoothie and Smoothie Bowl Recipes:

• Raspberry Coconut Smoothie Bowl
• Hydrating Green Smoothie
• Blueberry Banana Flaxseed Smoothie
• Tropical Smoothie Bowl
• Pineapple Banana Smoothie
• Chocolate Banana Date Smoothie