A [superfood](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/superfoods-explained) is any food that contains high levels of compounds (such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids) thought to provide health benefits. Although superfoods may seem like a recent trend, with ingredients like açai, cacao, and [maca root powder](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-maca-root-powder) taking center stage, the term has been around since 1915 when a major fruit company first used it in a marketing strategy to sell bananas. There is no scientific definition of a superfood, and the word is primarily a marketing term, but certain foods do pack a nutritional punch. Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Nuts and seeds like walnuts, hemp seeds, flaxseed, [quinoa](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-quinoa-tips-techniques-and-easy-recipes), and chia seeds are a source of protein, magnesium, and fiber. 

The first step in creating a superfood smoothie is to choose a few main ingredients and build from there, adding complementary flavors and textural elements. Here are some other tips to get you started: 

1. __Use healthy fats for creaminess__. For creaminess, use healthy fats like [coconut milk](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-coconut-milk), plain Greek yogurt, kefir, peanut butter, or [almond butter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter), which bring the added benefit of protein. Avocados also give smoothies a velvety texture.
2. __Use ice to add texture__. To achieve a cold, slushy consistency, add a scoop of ice cubes to the mix to balance the fresh ingredients.  
3. __Use pure fruit juice to reduce sugar__. Some smoothie recipes contain a lot of sugar due to the inclusion of juice blends. When shopping for ingredients, look for pure fruit juices instead, or consider using plant-based milk, like [almond milk](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk). Add some sweetness and dimension with alternative sweeteners like agave nectar, honey, stevia, maple syrup, or date syrup. 

Superfood smoothie recipes are best when they’re flexible. Use any of the following flavorful combinations as a starting point:

1. __Peanut butter and jelly__: Recreate the PB&J classics with frozen strawberries, frozen sliced banana, peanut butter or almond butter, and vanilla almond milk. For a little extra crunch, toss in a spoonful of [cacao nibs](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide). 
2. __Mango lassi__: Combine the best parts of Indian lassi and chai with frozen [mango](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cut-a-mango-3-ways-the-definitive-guide-to-peeling-slicing-and-cubing-mangos), peach, plain Greek yogurt, three pitted dates, half a banana, a splash of fresh orange juice, and ⅛ teaspoon each of ground cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric.
3. __Fruits and green veggies__: Make a tangy green smoothie with chopped kale, spinach, frozen pineapple, a scoop of spirulina (edible dried blue-green algae which gives smoothies an electric-green hue), and grapefruit or apple juice.
4. __Berry medley__: Channel summertime with a simple berry medley—frozen raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries—blended with cherry juice, yogurt, a scoop of chia seeds, and a drizzle of agave nectar.
5. __Oat and fruits__: Elevate any breakfast smoothie by adding rolled oats: they create a thicker texture and make the drink more filling. Combine oats with banana, frozen blueberries, [nut butter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nut-butter-guide), a teaspoon of maple syrup, and almond milk.  
Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Massimo Bottura, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.
With the right ingredients, you can transform any smoothie into a superfood smoothie. Learn more about superfoods and how to build your own nutritious, flavorful smoothie at home.


With the right ingredients, you can transform any smoothie into a superfood smoothie. Learn more about superfoods and how to build your own nutritious, flavorful smoothie at home.


How to Make a Superfood Smoothie: 5 Smoothie Combinations 

A <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/superfoods-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/superfoods-explained","linkCopy":"superfood","category":null}'>superfood</a> is any food that contains high levels of compounds (such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids) thought to provide health benefits. Although superfoods may seem like a recent trend, with ingredients like açai, cacao, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-maca-root-powder' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-maca-root-powder","linkCopy":"maca root powder","category":null}'>maca root powder</a> taking center stage, the term has been around since 1915 when a major fruit company first used it in a marketing strategy to sell bananas. There is no scientific definition of a superfood, and the word is primarily a marketing term, but certain foods do pack a nutritional punch. Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Nuts and seeds like walnuts, hemp seeds, flaxseed, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-quinoa-tips-techniques-and-easy-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-quinoa-tips-techniques-and-easy-recipes","linkCopy":"quinoa","category":null}'>quinoa</a>, and chia seeds are a source of protein, magnesium, and fiber.

What Are Superfoods?

The first step in creating a superfood smoothie is to choose a few main ingredients and build from there, adding complementary flavors and textural elements. Here are some other tips to get you started: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use healthy fats for creaminess. For creaminess, use healthy fats like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-coconut-milk' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-coconut-milk","linkCopy":"coconut milk","category":null}'>coconut milk</a>, plain Greek yogurt, kefir, peanut butter, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter","linkCopy":"almond butter","category":null}'>almond butter</a>, which bring the added benefit of protein. Avocados also give smoothies a velvety texture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use ice to add texture. To achieve a cold, slushy consistency, add a scoop of ice cubes to the mix to balance the fresh ingredients. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use pure fruit juice to reduce sugar. Some smoothie recipes contain a lot of sugar due to the inclusion of juice blends. When shopping for ingredients, look for pure fruit juices instead, or consider using plant-based milk, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk","linkCopy":"almond milk","category":null}'>almond milk</a>. Add some sweetness and dimension with alternative sweeteners like agave nectar, honey, stevia, maple syrup, or date syrup. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Building a Superfood Smoothie

Superfood smoothie recipes are best when they’re flexible. Use any of the following flavorful combinations as a starting point:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Peanut butter and jelly: Recreate the PB&amp;J classics with frozen strawberries, frozen sliced banana, peanut butter or almond butter, and vanilla almond milk. For a little extra crunch, toss in a spoonful of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide","linkCopy":"cacao nibs","category":null}'>cacao nibs</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Mango lassi: Combine the best parts of Indian lassi and chai with frozen <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cut-a-mango-3-ways-the-definitive-guide-to-peeling-slicing-and-cubing-mangos' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cut-a-mango-3-ways-the-definitive-guide-to-peeling-slicing-and-cubing-mangos","linkCopy":"mango","category":null}'>mango</a>, peach, plain Greek yogurt, three pitted dates, half a banana, a splash of fresh orange juice, and ⅛ teaspoon each of ground cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Fruits and green veggies: Make a tangy green smoothie with chopped kale, spinach, frozen pineapple, a scoop of spirulina (edible dried blue-green algae which gives smoothies an electric-green hue), and grapefruit or apple juice. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Berry medley: Channel summertime with a simple berry medley—frozen raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries—blended with cherry juice, yogurt, a scoop of chia seeds, and a drizzle of agave nectar. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Oat and fruits: Elevate any breakfast smoothie by adding rolled oats: they create a thicker texture and make the drink more filling. Combine oats with banana, frozen blueberries, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nut-butter-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nut-butter-guide","linkCopy":"nut butter","category":null}'>nut butter</a>, a teaspoon of maple syrup, and almond milk. </li></ol>

5 Superfood Smoothie Combinations

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Massimo Bottura, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.

Want to Learn More About Cooking?

With the right ingredients, you can transform any smoothie into a superfood smoothie. Learn more about superfoods and how to build your own nutritious, flavorful smoothie at home.