Brazilian Health Smoothie – Saude do Brasil

With its raw vegetables and vitamin-packed fruit, the Brazilian Health Smoothie was already a favorite in Brazil long before I ever heard the word smoothie here in America. 

American Health Smoothie

Before 2006, when I moved to Brazil for a few years, I’d never even heard of a smoothie. There weren’t any smoothie shops or kiosks selling them the way we see now. 

Milkshakes were the closest thing I’d come across.

Sure, there was the occasional blended drink for a piña colada, usually with pineapple juice, coconut milk, and plenty of rum. 

Here in America, blenders were mostly for making sauces smooth or mixing cocktail bases, but using them every day for healthy drinks…that just wasn’t really a thing yet. 

Even the Magic Bullet blender had only just arrived on the market in 2003, and people still weren’t using it to puree raw vegetables for drinking.

So naturally, once I discovered the health perks of smoothies, I went all in and started making as many as the seasons would allow:

• Detox Green Smoothie – This Detox Green Superfood Smoothie recipe is a flavor-packed blend of pineapple, mint, kefir, and kale. It works beautifully as a meal or in place of one.
• Healthy Kids Fruit Smoothies – Healthy Kids Fruit and Veggie Smoothies are an easy way to tuck nourishing ingredients into children’s diets while still making them feel like they’re getting a treat!
• Brazilian Protein and Fruit Smoothie Bowl – Balanced protein and fruit smoothie bowls, first developed in Brazil, are now a favorite here in America too. 

Brazilian Health Smoothie

Health — or health drinks — is taken seriously by thoughtful Brazilians, and they taught me everything I needed to know about blending raw vegetables with fruit, herbs, and protein boosters. 

Back in 2006, every mall and every street in Brazil seemed to have a kiosk stacked high with fruits and vegetables ready for smoothie making.

You’d step up, choose your mix, maybe add something to support your health, like a spoonful of protein rich bovine powder, and then carry on with your day. 

Brazilian Health Bovine Powder

Protein-packed bovine powder, in a country with more cows than people, gave me some of the best animal protein powders I’ve ever tasted in Brazil.

Even now that I’m back home in America, I still mix them into my morning drink every day. 

Brazil is also where I had my first smoothie bowl, then known as an acai bowl.

Acai is that deep reddish-purple fruit that looks a bit like a grape, and it’s richer in antioxidants than cranberries and most other berries. T

he acai bowl has been a Brazilian staple for years, though it’s still relatively new to many Americans. 

Best Health Smoothie

Let’s face it: we could just eat everything that goes into a smoothie in a bowl and probably enjoy chewing it just as much!

I often reach for Homemade Granola with yogurt and fresh fruit when I want something simple.

But let’s be honest: there are plenty of ingredients we’ll happily drink in a smoothie that we wouldn’t necessarily sit down and eat straight from the bowl, especially when it comes to kids. That’s what inspired my recipe for Grandma’s Sneaky Meatballs!

The best health smoothies are the ones you’ll actually finish!

The more raw vegetables, the better. The fewer sweeteners, the better.

Protein add-ins, whether plant-based or animal-based, make it easy to pack a huge amount of nourishing foods into one cold drink with a straw.

And best of all, it’s a grab-and-go health food, just like my Salads In A Jar!

Beet and Carrot Brazilian Smoothie

Beterraba e Cenoura — beets and carrots. The main health benefit of this Brazilian Health Smoothie is… honestly, everything!

Beets are best known for supporting digestive health. They’re rich in fiber and offer a natural way to help with IBS, constipation, diverticulitis, and a range of other digestive concerns. 

Thanks to their vibrant pigment, they also offer a number of anti-inflammatory benefits, so I’d use red beets rather than golden beets for this smoothie. 

Carrots, like beets, are full of fiber, but they’re also a good source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which matter for bone health.

They also bring a solid dose of carotene antioxidants, which add another layer of nutritional value. 

How To Make Saude do Brasil – A Brazilian Health Smoothie

Start by peeling the beets, ginger, and carrots, then grate, chop, or grind them. 

Next, add a touch of sweetness from a ripe banana and a few strawberries for a little natural fruit flavor. 

Put everything into a sturdy blender with a bit of ice and water, then blend until you have a thick, creamy smoothie ready to sip for a healthy boost!

Ingredients Needed

• Raw Beets
• Raw Carrots
• Banana
• Strawberries
• Raw Ginger root
• Honey (optional)
• Water
• Ice

Equipment Needed

• Quality Blender – using a powerful blender makes the job easier and this one is very affordable!
• Vegetable peeler
• Cutting board
• Chopping knife
• Box grater (optional)