Spiced Cinnamon Apple Smoothie
By Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN; Reboot Nutritionist
Chilly weather and desire for comfort foods goes hand in hand. Even in my smoothie, seasonal tastes and heartier texture is a lovely treat on a cold New England winter day. This smoothie is loaded with antioxidants, electrolytes, fiber, vitamins and minerals to help keep you naturally energized during shorter daylight, fighting that feeling to curl up on the couch. Potassium-rich squash is deliciously sweet and also provides immune-supportive carotenoids, important during cold and flu season. To bump up the protein beyond the nut butter, add your favorite plant-based protein powder, like the Reboot with Joe Protein Powder.
Spiced with ginger, a root linked with aiding digestion, reducing inflammation and nausea plus antiviral properties, it’s a natural choice. The cinnamon may help to balance blood sugars plus leaving the skin on your apple and including oats can add more fiber-rich benefits for glycemic control, healthy digestion, heart health, and appetite regulation.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (70 g) acorn squash, cooked
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 small red apple
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup (90 g) oats (gluten-free optional)
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 handful of ice
Directions
- Roast squash in oven at 400 F (200 C) for about 30 minutes. Wash, then slice in half, removing seeds. Place about ¼ inch of water in a baking dish and add squash halves, skin-side up and flesh-side down. After baking, let cool then scoop out and measure for smoothie. Save any remaining squash for making soup, waffles, etc.
- Wash apple then chop, leaving skin on, discarding core.
- Add almond milk, squash, cinnamon, ginger, oats, chopped apple, honey, almond butter, and protein powder if you’d like.
- Add ice or use frozen apples (I save and freeze any apple slices that come back in my kids lunch boxes for making smoothies or soups).
- Blend on high for 45 – 60 seconds until smooth.
- Garnish with chopped almonds (optional)and enjoy!
Servings: 1
Serving Size: 16 - 18 oz (500 ml)
Substitutions
- Honey – maple syrup, molasses, dates
- Apple – pear
- Acorn Squash – Butternut squash
- Oats – ground flax seed, chia seeds
- Almond butter – cashew or other nut butter
Calories: 510
Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 220mg
Carbohydrates: 86g
Fiber: 15g
Sugars: 32g
Protein: 12g