You should not put sugary fruit juices, flavored yogurts, ice cream, excessive added sweeteners (honey, agave), or too many high-fat ingredients (nut butters, coconut cream) in your smoothie, as these add unnecessary sugar, calories, and fat, turning a healthy drink into a dessert. Also, avoid unwashed produce, cheap protein powders, and certain combinations like fruit with milk (in Ayurveda) or raw kale if you have thyroid issues.
That's because bananas naturally contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and a small study (only 8 people!) found that adding bananas to a smoothie significantly reduced the absorption of flavanols.
Separate acid from sweet...
Not all fruits play well together. Acid fruits like grapefruit and other citrus, pineapples, pomegranates, sour apples and plums, strawberries and tomatoes don't pair well with sweet fruits like grapes, bananas, persimmon, figs, prunes, and dates.
Now for the no-nos. If you want to cut back on sugar, try to limit fruit juices, flavoured yoghurts, some protein powders (check the label) and the so-called healthy syrups, such as rice syrup and malt syrup (which are just sugar!).
Here are some to try:
It's common to reach for a banana–berry smoothie to kick-start the morning, but this combo—though delicious—can undermine digestion, blood‐sugar control, and gut health at the cellular level. Bananas and berries have distinct biochemical profiles and require different digestive enzymes and pH environments.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Blueberry. Blueberry fruit or leaf might lower blood sugar levels. Taking blueberry along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low.
Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
Avocados may help with weight management and heart and brain health. These fruits are loaded with healthy fat, protein and fiber and antioxidants. Eat avocados as is, blend into smoothies or slice onto a sandwich or toast.
Smoothies are high in sugar
Unlike natural sugars found inside fruit and vegetables, they do not come with extra nutrients like fibre. Eating or drinking too much sugar can contribute to weight gain, and in turn increase the risk of heart and circulatory diseases and type 2 diabetes. It can also damage your teeth.
The best time of day depends on your lifestyle and nutrition goals. If you are rushed in the morning, prep your smoothie in advance and bring it with you for an easy breakfast on-the-go. If you want a pre- or post-workout snack, a small smoothie with carbs and protein can help fuel your body and repair your muscles.
For a healthier smoothie, avoid added sugars (fruit juice, syrups, flavored yogurts, ice cream), excessive fats (too much nut butter, coconut cream), and ingredients that cause digestive issues like dairy for some (yogurt, milk) or raw cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli) if you have thyroid issues, focusing instead on whole fruits/veggies, a good liquid base (water, unsweetened milk), protein, and healthy fats in moderation.
Unfortunate Smoothies are the only type of smoothie to not be numbered or directly purchasable from a Smoothie Shop. Created from any combination of incompatible ingredients - mostly, but not solely, including Monster Guts and/or Monster Fangs - when Zelda drinks one, it recovers half a heart and five units of energy.
So you want good carbohydrates, good proteins and good healthy fats," she says. Once you find the right balance and taste, that smoothie can be a good thing. "It's really fine to have a smoothie every day. It can be a convenient meal replacement as long as you're making sure that it really is replacing the meal.
While blueberries are packed with nutrients, eating too many can cause a few side effects, including digestive issues like bloating or gas. Although it's not common, a prescription drug interaction may also cause hypoglycemia and an increased risk of blood clots if you overdo it on blueberries.
Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
Official Statements from Cardiology Organizations. The American Heart Association says to eat foods like blueberries. They are full of antioxidants. A diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins can lower heart disease risk.
Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits for you, especially as you age. Just one serving of blueberries can help you meet your daily fiber requirement, which is crucial for controlling blood sugar levels, maintaining proper bowel health and lowering cholesterol levels.
Mixing blueberries with dairy, such as yogurt or skim milk, however, does not result in any clinical efficacy, as dairy has been shown to block the absorption of berry nutrients.
Avoid mixing papaya and lemon. Papaya and lemon is one of the worst fruit combinations to have. While it may taste different, it's better to avoid this combination. Anaemia or haemoglobin imbalance are just a few consequences of mixing these.
While there's no single "number 1" healthiest fruit, blueberries are consistently ranked at the top for their exceptional antioxidant power (anthocyanins), supporting brain health, heart function, and potentially reducing inflammation and risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Other top contenders include avocados for healthy fats and fiber, raspberries for fiber, and pomegranates for antioxidants, but blueberries often stand out as a top choice.
Jen's favourite smoothie (and the one she's making here) is a blend of:
Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries.