Beetroot Smoothie – Perfect for Weight Loss and Detox

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This beetroot smoothie for weight loss isn’t just a drink! It’s a health-boosting elixir that also happens to taste amazing.

If you like beetroots, you’re a lucky person. I’ll explain why in a minute. If you don’t, and you’re like me, you might still want to eat beets anyway. Or at least drink the odd beetroot smoothie.

Although I was recently convinced by one of our chefs that meals including beetroot can be surprisingly pleasant (see here for example), I still hold my nose when drinking beetroot juice.

Fancying myself a bit of a runner, and taking the idea of fueling myself (and nutrition in general) quite seriously, beetroots have some amazing properties.

Turning them into palatable smoothies is a win-win for me.

What is a beetroot smoothie?

Beetroot smoothie is a purplish-red blend of fresh beets and other nutritious elements.

It makes the best use of beets taste- and health-wise so that even the most ardent beetroot avoiders can enjoy its benefits to the fullest.

Oh yes, why do I like this smoothie so much? Well, primarily because I don’t need to hold my nose while drinking it!

The lime juice and mint take the edge off that earth taste that beetroot is famous for, and the small amount of maple syrup gives it just a hint of sweetness.

The apple also provides a welcome smoothness, both to taste and texture. Off we go then!

Beet smoothie benefits

A serving of this healthy beet smoothie contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

It’s loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron. Plus it has dietary fiber to keep you full for longer and support your digestive health.

Mint is helpful in soothing indigestion which can be very useful for detoxing.

If you have weight-loss goals, this recipe is low in fat and calories, and it results in a wonderful beetroot smoothie for weight loss.

Enjoying the delicious combination of smoothies and weight loss benefits? Check out these protein super smoothies for losing weight.

Ingredients for making a beetroot smoothie

Beets

You’ll need one small precooked beetroot which you can prepare yourself by boiling or roasting. Another option is to buy a pack of cooked beets.

Liquid base & sweetener

The liquid base here is water, simple and straightforward. You can use beetroot juice if you need to replace the beet and water duo.

To add some sweetness, I opted for a teaspoon of maple syrup.

Add-ins and toppings

Some apple, lime juice and fresh mint help nail the taste of this beet smoothie. You can also garnish your ready-to-drink smoothie with a sprig of mint for aesthetic pleasure.

Preparing the beets

How you prep your beets for this beet smoothie recipe is up to you but I’d like to make sure you know your options.

Here’s how to prepare beets for smoothie:

1. Choose a small fresh beetroot with no wrinkles or blemishes.
2. Wash them under cold water and scrub them to remove any leftover dirt.
3. Peel the beet with a knife or vegetable peeler. You can also postpone this step until after the cooking.
4. Another optional step is to cut your beet into cubes for easier blending.
5. Steam, boil or roast your beet or beet cubes until they become tender.

How to steam beets

Place your beetroot in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam on low heat until you can easily pierce the beet with a knife or fork.

How to boil beets

Cover your beet with water in a pot, bring it to a boil and after reducing the heat simmer until ready. It usually takes about 20 minutes for a small beet.

How to roast beets

Place the beetroot on a parchment-lined pan and roast it in a preheated oven at 180°C/ 350°F for about 35 minutes. I like to wrap my beets with foil for even roasting.

Raw beets vs. frozen or canned beets

You can use any form of this root vegetable for your smoothie depending on what you have on hand. Raw, frozen and canned beets all have their favourable aspects.

Raw beets are the most unprocessed and nutrient-rich option. I don’t particularly enjoy their intense earthiness but if it works for you, go for it!

Frozen beets can provide a frosty kick to the smoothie which is quite nice if you like ice-cold drinks. They also retain more nutrients than canned beets.

Check out this blog post on how to freeze beetroot for a beet boost year-round!

Canned beets in turn are the simplest idea without any prior prep. But it’s best to choose a no-salt version which wouldn’t alter the beetroot flavor.

Cooked or uncooked beets

If you’re doubting whether to use cooked or uncooked beets, you can rely on your taste preferences.

Raw beet in smoothie recipes might muffle other components with its intensity. So if you’re not a fan of the earthy taste in the first place, it can be too overwhelming.

Cooked beetroot is softer and easier to blend delivering a smoother texture and sweeter flavor notes. However, it’s worse at retaining nutritional benefits than raw beetroot.

How to make a perfect beetroot smoothie

Making a beetroot smoothie is super simple and lightning-fast if you have a decent blender and pre-cooked beets. Everything else is the work of blending magic!

Tips and tricks for making the perfect beetroot smoothie every time

When it comes to beet smoothies, I’m all about the right consistency and balance of flavors which you can achieve with these tips:

• Taste your smoothie as you go and adjust sweetness/acidity levels with maple syrup and lime juice.
• Control the texture by adding more liquid.
• If you enjoy chilled smoothies, add some ice cubes or use frozen beets. You can make a slushy drink by blending ice cubes with your smoothie.

Recipe variations

This smoothie with beets recipe can be tailored to your taste and needs. Here are some ideas:

Different sweetener: You can opt for a touch of honey or agave syrup instead of maple syrup.

Different juice: If you don’t have any lime juice, you can use lemon juice for a similar tartness.

Extra protein: Some nut butter, chia seeds or even a scoop of protein powder can add extra protein if you’re looking for a more filling smoothie.

Toppings: Try topping your smoothie with some chia seeds or nuts for a little crunch.

Flavor enhancers: For complexity, you can experiment with different flavors that suit your taste buds. A touch of ginger can add a kick, while cinnamon can pair nicely with the beetroot + apple combo.

Health benefits of drinking a beetroot smoothie

Research has already shown that beetroot juice can make small, but telling changes to athletic performance.

The nitrate (or nitric oxide) takes care of this – it is believed the oxide increases the delivery of oxygen to muscles during exercise.

For someone who knows that in sport a small help is still a help, I’ll take that, thanks.

If sport isn’t your thing, there are many other reasons to incorporate this root vegetable into your daily diet.

It unquestionably lowers blood pressure, a serious issue for many, and something we should all keep an eye on.

The polyphenols in beetroots have also been linked to helping prevent cancer, mainly by fighting free radicals. They are also believed to promote brain health.

As always though, moderation is key. Going too far with most things is never good, and beet consumption is no exception.

Large amounts of beet juice could be harmful, so don’t go overboard. Rather, let your body get used to them as you up your intake, and keep beets to a couple of times a week.

Nutritional value of a beetroot smoothie

This beetroot smoothie for weight loss has only 116 calories which makes it a great choice for a quick snack or breakfast smoothie.

It also has 6 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of protein. To be honest, this sounds amazing for a low-calorie vegan smoothie.

Here’s a quick overview:

kcal 116kcal

Carbs 29g

Fat 0.4g

protein 2g

Beetroot smoothie FAQs

Check out our free 7-day vegetarian weight loss meal plan to learn the best practices and healthy recipes for weight loss.

More recipes for you

If you like refreshing summer treats, check out these protein popsicle recipes. They’re super simple and healthier than store-bought sweets.

If you’re a student or just looking for quick and affordable vegetarian meals, click the link for 58 wonderful ideas.

Don’t throw away your leftover veg! It’s wasteful, especially when you can create amazing recipes with them!

Last but not least, check out our new high-protein overnight oats recipe. It’s delicious, low calorie and weight loss friendly!

I hope you enjoyed learning about the amazing benefits of beet smoothies! Give this recipe a try and share your thoughts in the comments.