5 Minute Raw Carrot and Fresh Ginger Smoothie
Craving a nutrition boost? This energizing ginger carrot smoothie is packed with nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory ingredients like raw carrot, fresh ginger and a whole orange plus warming spices so it’s enjoyable even on a cold day.
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My relationship to cold has really changed over the last few years: from a straight up “I hate it more than anything” to “yes, but, it also makes me feel ALIVE”.
What changed? Well, in 2020 I started cold plunging. In the Pacific Ocean. All year round. Like, not in a wetsuit. And I LOVE it. Every single time I jump in the frigid ocean, it reminds me that I’m capable of more than I think.
Um, but what does this have to do with the plant-based recipes you’re here for? Well, Vancouver is kind of miserable, grey and damp November through April so I often stick with warm meals. But sometimes, this dietitian is just craving an infusion of produce and I was wondering: could I create a smoothie that feels right in cooler weather?
Turns out, I AM capable of more than I think, ha! This carrot ginger smoothie is made without frozen ingredients, so it’s not so cold…and it’s packed with warming spices like fresh ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. I love it alongside my chunky apple muffins for a quick and nourishing start to the day.
Why this carrot ginger smoothie is so so good for you
If you’re looking for anti-inflammatory recipes, you’ve come to the right place. But as a registered dietitian who wrote a bestselling book on anti-inflammatory nutrition called Eat More Plants, I’ve got to be straight with you: while foods and nutrients absolutely can have anti-inflammatory properties…it’s not like you’re gonna fix yourself up with a single smoothie.
Instead, eating a more anti-inflammatory diet is about what you are adding on a daily basis. More high fibre foods for a healthy gut microbiome. More whole plant foods. And more colourful produce for all those antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients…so I wanted to create a smoothie that made it easy to add a big boost of nutrition to your day. I love a cup of this raw carrot and fresh ginger smoothie with a piece of sprouted grain toast in the morning, or on its own when my tummy is feeling tender.
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C while carrots pack in the beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A that’s strongly antioxidant. Both vitamin A and C are great for supporting healthy skin and immune function. Research suggests that ginger is anti-inflammatory, as well as having pro-kinetic properties, meaning that ginger helps with stomach emptying, so if you’re feeling a little nauseous or unsettled, it’s a great choice.
The only thing missing here is plant-based protein, because I enjoy this smoothie most often as a snack or with meals. But you could easily add some by swapping in soy milk for almond milk (it will give you a creamier smoothie!) or adding some protein powder for a complete meal.
Because there’s no banana in this smoothie, it’s a low FODMAP recipe gentle enough for my IBS friends and if you need a nut free option, just swap the almond milk for rice milk or oat milk.
How to make this energizing carrot ginger smoothie
There is nothing easier than throwing a bunch of goodies into a high-speed blender and one minute later, you’re sipping a zesty yet comforting anti-inflammatory smoothie!
Step One: grab your ingredients (just 7!): almond milk, a carrot, an orange, some ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk but you could swap any plant-based milk you have on hand with a splash of vanilla. And because there isn’t a lot of fruit here, I do like it with a little drizzle of maple syrup.
Step Two: roughly chop your carrot and peel away all the peel and pith from the orange. I like to reserve a little piece of orange peel as it adds a zestiness to the smoothie but it’s optional
Step Three: blend up the milk, carrot, orange, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup, if using, in a high speed blender until it’s fully liquified, about a minute on high. Because we’re using raw carrot and whole orange, there will a decent amount of fibre in the smoothie which you could strain out if you wanted but I don’t! MORE FIBRE!!
More easy on the tummy, low FODMAP smoothies:
- Satisfying Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie
- Turmeric Ginger Smoothie with Greens
- Low FODMAP Papaya Lime Smoothie
- Low FODMAP Pina Colada Smoothie
- Cucumber Smoothie with Kiwi and Mint
5 Minute Raw Carrot + Fresh Ginger Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, or your fave nut-free option
- 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and chopped, about ¾ cup (175 mL)
- 1 orange, peel + pith removed, reserve a strip or two of peel!
- ½ inch slice fresh ginger, peeled, about 2 tsp (10 mL) chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- maple syrup or date, to taste, optional
Equipment
- High Speed Blender
Instructions
- Place the almond milk, carrot, ginger, orange, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup (if using) in a high speed blender and blend on high until fully blended, about 1 minute.
- Because we're using whole carrot, the smoothie will be a bit grainy…but that is good-for-you fibre!!
2 Comments on “5 Minute Raw Carrot and Fresh Ginger Smoothie”
This looks good. But since I am not vegan can I just use regluar milk?
Hi Merla,
Of course! Use whatever you have on hand 🙂