Panera Blueberry Pomegranate Vegan Smoothie

The Panera Blueberry Pomegranate Vegan smoothie ingredients are:

• bananas
• beets
• blueberries
• pomegranate juice
• coconut milk
• white grape juice
• chia seeds
• Collagen Boost, optional

Bananas – Bananas are very healthy, readily available, and one of the least expensive fruits you can buy. They have relatively few calories, are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, are full of potent antioxidants including flavonoids and animes, and are high in dietary fiber. Studies have shown that bananas can improve insulin sensitivity and may improve kidney health.
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Beets – Beets possess a particularly powerful nutritional profile. They are extremely low in calories, yet rich in vitamins and minerals important to athletic performance. Beets contain significant amounts of folate, important to physical growth and heart health, manganese, which assists bone strength and brain function, and copper, which facilitates energy production. Studies have shown that beets can help lower blood pressure, fight inflammation, and reduce age-related cognitive decline.
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Blueberries – Blueberries are a popular superfood that are low in calories and highly nutritious. They are the king of antioxidants, being absolutely loaded with flavonoids, and provide significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Blueberries protect against aging and cancer, by reducing DNA damage, and boost heart function, by preventing LDL oxidization and lowering blood pressure.
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Pomegranate Juice – Pomegranates, which are actually edible seeds, are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. They contain significant vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium in addition to the unique beneficial plant compounds punicalagins and punicic acid. Pomegranates have three times the antioxidant activity of green tea, demonstrate impressive anti-inflammatory properties, have been shown to fight both breast cancer and prostate cancer, and fight arthritis and joint pain.
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Coconut Milk – Coconut milk, produced by mixing coconut meat with water, has recently become a popular alternative to traditional cow’s milk. It is highly caloric, but offers significant levels of manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium. Coconut milk also contains medium-chain triglycerides that have been show to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
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Grape Juice – Grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years and offer a host of nutritional health benefits. They are rich in vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, copper, and potassium. The antioxidant resveratrol in Grapes helps lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and protect against heart disease.
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Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are small in size, but big in nutritional value. They are absolutely loaded with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and are rich in dietary fiber. In addition, the compounds in chia seeds have been shown to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals, assist with lowering blood pressure, and reduce inflammation.
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A standard blender is all that is required to make these delicious smoothies. If you are making it for just one person, we recommend using the truly amazing personal NutriBullet Ultra as it is super-quick to set up and very easy to clean.

If you are making them for more than one person, we recommend a higher-end Vitamix blender that can process larger loads more efficiently.

For overnight storage, we recommend using a glass or BPA-free airtight container with a resealable lid.

The Panera Blueberry Pomegranate Vegan smoothie is very easy to make:

• Step 1: Place bananas, beets, blueberries, pomegranate juice, coconut milk, white grape juice, and chia seeds into a blender and secure the lid.
• Step 2: Start the blender on its lowest speed and steadily ramp up to its highest speed. This will reduce wear and tear on the motor and blades, facilitate a more consistent blend, and help prevent food splatter onto the lid and sides.
• Step 3: Blend for approximately 30 seconds or until a smooth consistency is achieved.
• Step 4: Pour into a glass for immediate refreshment or place in the refrigerator in an airtight container to enjoy later.

For ease of use, we recommend peeling and slicing a number of bananas, putting them in a freezer bag, and storing them in your freezer for quick access.

If you don’t have frozen fruit, or simply prefer to use fresh fruit (we totally get that), we recommend adding 1/2 cup of ice to chill your smoothie and give it a pleasing icy texture.

If you’re out of pomegranate juice, cranberry juice can be a tart substitute, or for a less tangy flavor, apple juice works well.

For those not fond of beets, spinach can replace them to maintain the health benefits without altering the taste too much.

Flax seeds can stand in for chia if needed, or you could enhance the smoothie with a spoonful of spirulina for extra nutrients.