Created by Mary Kennedy, M.S., a nutrition and wellness professional who works for Stonyfield Farm, this healthy smoothie combines two powerful skin foods: organic yogurt and green tea. The yogurt is loaded with live active cultures that provide the gut with beneficial bacteria, which helps digestion (the better your digestive tract runs, the better your skin will look); mint and honey also help fend off "bad" bacteria, and the green tea is loaded with anti-aging antioxidants.
Blend
1 cup Stonyfield organic fat-free key lime yogurt
1 cup prepared green tea, cooled
1/2 cup loosely packed mint, chopped
Juice and zest of 2 limes
1 teaspoon honey
2 cups ice cubes
Photo 12/16
Sour Apple Smoothie
This smoothie, also created by Kennedy, uses flaxseed oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for skin health, says Koff.
Blend
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
1 banana
1 cup orange juice
1 cup Oikos Organic Vanilla Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Stonyfield organic fat-free milk
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
Photo 13/16
Sweet & Salty Chai Lassi
Billy Brigtsen, a chef in New York City, created this smoothie recipe using skin-healing spices.
Blend
3 green cardamom pods, crushed
3 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 whole allspice berry
1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
1 cup water
Directions:
Place the above ingredients in a small pot and simmer for a few minutes, until the water is reduced to 1/4 cup. Cool, then blend with:
16 ounces Green Valley Organics kefir
4 tablespoon maple syrup
Photo 14/16
Fruit Fusion
According to Ginn, antioxidants also help prevent blemishes. So if you want radiant and clear skin, we recommend trying this supercharged smoothie. Filled with anti-aging antioxidants like vitamins C and E, this healthy smoothie is a nutrition powerhouse designed to leave your skin glowing. "The zinc in the smoothie can also help heal rashes, reduce inflammation and prevent clogged pores," Ginn says. "The selenium present in the flaxseed may also help to reduce the risk of cancer."
Blend
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup papaya
1/2 cup frozen pineapples
1/2 banana
1/2 Ripe avocado (peeled)
1 tablespoon of grounded flaxseed
2 scoops of hemp powder
Add ice as desired
Photo 15/16
Creamy Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
More hemp -- plus vitamin C-rich orange and healthy fat-filled avocado -- makes this healthy smoothie recipe a great alternative to a sugar-filled dessert, says Koff.
Blend
1 cup hemp milk
1-2 tablespoons hemp protein powder -- preferably vanilla-flavored
1 orange (peeled and sliced)
1/2 avocado (peeled and sliced)
Sick of hearing what you can't drink if you want perfect skin?
Coffee. Booze. Soda. Even fruit juice is a no-no. What's a thirsty gal to do? The answer: Healthy smoothies.
You can sip your way to a clear complexion (and bonus -- a slimmer waistline) with delicious and healthy smoothies that are good for your skin.
Ashley Koff, R.D., a celebrity dietitian and author of "Mom Energy," says every woman can benefit from firing up the ol' blender for healthy smoothie recipes. "Smoothies are a great way to get all of the nutrients you need for beautiful skin in just one drink," says Koff. "Even better, since they're so easy to make and take with you, they can replace the junky, highly-processed fast food that's so bad for your skin."
That's why we asked Koff and six other experts to create 15 healthy smoothie recipes that would satisfy our blend ambition.
The nutritious combinations of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and good-for-you fats in these healthy smoothies are especially good for your skin, says Koff. "They are packed with essential fatty acids, which calm puffiness and redness. They're loaded with antioxidants, which keep wrinkles and sagging to a minimum. And many of the ingredients here are also alkalizing, which helps the body release skin-irritating toxins."
Are you frantically dusting off your blender yet? Yeah, us too. Discover all the best healthy smoothie recipes here.
