I am not a traditional American breakfast fan, but I AM a big & delicious smoothie for breakfast fan: Enter my Winter Berry Smoothie – a nutrient packed blend that is festive in a glass. This winter berry smoothie is full of, well… winter fruits and berries; imagine that. 😉❄️

It’s full of ingredients that will keep you energized and glowing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy with a hint of natural sweetness. I like my smoothies sweetened with whole foods like medjool dates, to be nutrient dense, and to be filling. This Winter Berry Smoothie does just that! It’s higher protein from the yogurt choice, and packed full of fiber and heart heathy berries.

Not only is it delicious, but every ingredient in this smoothie comes with amazing health benefits. Let’s break them down:

Why Each Ingredient Is So Good for You

Pomegranate Juice:
Unsweetened pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which support heart health and reduce inflammation. Pomegranate juice (and cranberry juice) are always my go-to deeply hued and low sugar juices to use in smoothies. Both are juices are from berries that are in-season during the winter, although luckily are bottled and available all year long. For the most nutrient dense version, look for ‘organic, fresh-pressed, not from concentrate’ on the label.

Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries:
These are antioxidant powerhouses that help fight inflammation and support heart health. These rich colored berries support your immune system during cold and flu season (well, and anytime of the year). Berries are something that I strive to eat every single day! Remember, the darker the berry the more nutrients!

Pear:
Pears are high in fiber and naturally lower in sugar than many other fruits. They’re great for supporting healthy digestion due to the 6g of fiber per pear, which is much more than your typical fruits like apples, bananas, or oranges. Plus, variety! If pears are not a fruit you reach for daily, then this smoothie will help you have more seasonal variety in your diet. For those striving to eat a wider variety of natural foods, it is now recommended that we consume 5 different fruits daily to support diverse, and optimal nutrition.

Orange:
A Vitamin C superstar AND a classic water fruit, oranges support your immune system, support healthy skin, and provide hydration with natural electrolytes. Even though oranges seem like a summery fruit, did you know that oranges are actually best and in-season during the winter?

Dairy-Free Yogurt:
Coconut, almond, or cashew-based yogurt adds creaminess while supporting gut health with probiotics. You can use whatever kind you like, but for smoothies, I like to use Siggi’s plant-based coconut blend yogurt because it has 10g of protein – much more than most dairy-free yogurts.

Dates:
Nature’s candy! Dates are naturally sweet and full of fiber, which helps regulate digestion and balance blood sugar levels. They also contain essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron. The reason I use dates in my smoothies is because it’s a whole food, and even though it’s a sweetener, it’s NOT a processed food, and still has all the fiber and nutrients intact.