5 Minute Turmeric Ginger Smoothie with Greens

Packed with an anti-inflammatory trio of ground turmeric, fresh ginger and greens (baby spinach or kale) this 5-minute breakfast smoothie is the energizing start your need to your day. It’s quick to make, refreshing, and nutritious—another terrific trio!

Looking to bust your smoothie rut? Also me, which is why I’ve got SO many fun smoothie options, like this juicy turmeric ginger smoothie with greens. As a plant-based dietitian, I’m all about a good smoothie. I mean, there aren’t many other meals that you can pack with SO many nutrient-dense plant foods that also get you fed and out of the house in 5 minutes.

Because taking care of yourself has to fit your lifestyle or you just won’t stick with it.

Nothing beats a smoothie for a quick breakfast, but I also love them with a little baking on the side (like my epic apple muffins!) However, there is a real art to making vegan smoothies that are as delicious as they are nourishing. Some folks seem content to drink sludgy smoothies – as long as they’re “healthy” right? – but I am NOT one of them.

I love eating as much as I love feeling good, and I believe that plant-based recipes can, and should, be as delicious as more standard fare. It’s why I write cookbooks: Eat More Plants shows you that plant-based, anti-inflammatory fare can be packed with flavour. Because life is too short for meh.

A couple of kitchen notes about this turmeric ginger smoothie with greens

It’s actually shocking how delicious this easy, 7 ingredient, anti-inflammatory green smoothie is!

Turmeric has long been consumed in Asian culinary traditions from India to Indonesia. Traditionally praised as anti-inflammatory, turmeric contains an active ingredient known as curcumin which – in medical doses – has been found to improve inflammation in arthritis and even ulcerative colitis. While it is hard to match those doses in our meals, turmeric is still a wonderful (and powerful) plant to include in your recipes! The fat from the coconut milk and the black pepper help to improve absorption.

What makes this anti-inflammatory green smoothie good for you

Before I even went to school to become a dietitian, I was fascinated by the idea that inflammation contributed to a range of chronic diseases from diabetes to arthritis, and psoriasis to even IBS. The idea that we could help lessen inflammation by eating more whole plant foods was revolutionary…but I’ve become a bit disheartened by how anti-inflammatory nutrition has become synonymous with pseudoscience and restrictive diets on the internet.

First things first: anti-inflammatory nutrition is NOT about avoiding gluten or lectins. It’s about eating more whole plant foods in general, which provide fiber to feed the gut microbiome, help to keep blood sugars stable and also provide a host of anti-inflammatory nutrients and phytochemicals to help your immune system better regulate the process of inflammation.

No one food or meal will halt inflammation in it’s tracks…but building a pattern that includes lots of inflammation-friendly foods, like greens, omega 3 rich seeds and anti-inflammatory plants like ginger and turmeric will help you feel better over time.

So I created this smoothie to give you a daily dose of turmeric, ginger and greens while also including soothing soluble fibre to help support your gut – so important! – as well as prebiotics from the banana to feed your gut microbiome. Plus, for those of you who might be dealing with IBS, it’s low in FODMAPs so it won’t increase inflammation and symptoms.

Also, a super important dietitian-y note: this plant-based smoothie recipe doesn’t contain any protein. Every once in a while, that’s fine…but if this smoothie is your everyday breakfast, I can’t stress enough how important it is to add a hefty source of plant-based protein.

More delicious recipes with turmeric

• Turmeric Ginger and Mango Smoothie
• Warming Apple Cider Tonic with Turmeric
• Easy Chickpea Coconut Milk Curry with Broccoli
• Creamy Kabocha Squash Curry with Chickpeas
• Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich (low FODMAP)