Cold Remedy Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie

Earlier this month, I caught a horrific cold that depleted my energy and left me in a pitiful, runny-nosed heap on our couch. Desperate to speed my recovery, I started researching natural cold remedies, a project that led me to today’s Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie.

When one is lying immobile on one’s couch surrounded by an avalanche of used tissues, researching top cold-fighting foods feels like a worthy use of the limited energy that arrives between naps. According to my friends Google and WebMD, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are essential to winning the cold war (<—Please excuse the horrible pun. Obviously the antihistamines have impacted my sense of humor.)

Once I knew I needed more C, D, and zinc in my diet, I looked for foods that were:

1. Rich in these natural cold fighters, and
2. Required almost no energy to prepare. At the peak of my cold, reaching for the Kleenex box was about the only productive task I could muster.

Since fruit is one of the easiest (and yummiest) sources of vitamin C, and smoothies are one of the easiest things to make and eat, I decided to create a cold remedy smoothie loaded with all of vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc I could fit into my blender. Today’s Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie boasts all three.

Vitamin C: While oranges are the first fruit that comes to mind when I think of vitamin C (and are present in this smoothie), kiwis and strawberries actually contain more, so I decided to make them the recipe stars. I can’t remember the last time I bought kiwis, but I forgot just how tasty they are! Sweet, juicy, and lightly tart, these green cuties are perfect for smoothies and snacking. Bananas also contain a good amount of vitamin C and are a natural sweetener, so I tossed in a few slices to round out the smoothie’s flavor.

Vitamin D: Milk is a good source of vitamin D, and it makes our Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie nice and creamy too.

Zinc: This one was a bit tougher. The foods that are the highest in zinc include some choice items I wouldn’t let near my blender (liver and oysters, I’m looking at you), but fortunately for our cold remedy smoothie needs, oats also contain some zinc, so I added a few tablespoons to the Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie. If you haven’t had an oatmeal smoothie before, you are in for a real treat. They make the Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie thick, creamy, and ultra filling.

While I’m not in a position to declare the Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie an instant cold cure, for the week I was sick, it helped me stay energized and healthy. When I’m not feeling well, I often want little more than saltine crackers, but this Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie tasted so tropical and soothing, I actually craved it.

Whether you are feeling under the weather, want an easy way to consume three healthy food groups at once (fruit, dairy, and whole grains), or just love smoothies, this Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie recipe is a pleaser.

Plus, the more Strawberry Kiwi Smoothies we drink now, the less likely we are to catch a cold later. Sip generously!

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Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie

A simple and delicious strawberry kiwi smoothie with orange, banana and honey. Rich in vitamins C and D, this healthy smoothie is a natural cold remedy too!

Yield: 1 smoothie

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 small ripe kiwis, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberry halves
• 1/2 medium orange (or 1 clementine), peel and pith removed
• 1/2 banana, sliced and frozen
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 2 tablespoons rolled or quick-cooking oats
• Small handful ice, optional (add if you prefer a thicker, frostier smoothie)
• 1-2 teaspoons honey, optional

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in your blender: kiwis, strawberries, orange, milk, oats, and ice (if using). Blend until smooth. Taste and add 1-2 teaspoons of honey if you desire additional sweetness. Enjoy immediately.

All images and text ©Erin Clarke/Well Plated.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 smoothie (without honey)

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 326
• Total Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 2mg
• Sodium: 75mg
• Carbohydrates: 72g
• Sugar: 40g
• Fiber: 23g
• Protein: 11g

Tools I used to make this recipe:

• Blender: I recently acquired this unbelievably powerful blender, and it whips this strawberry kiwi smoothie together in seconds. I’ve also used and recommend this more affordable KitchenAid and this Ninja blender.

More healthy smoothie recipes:

4 Ingredient Mango Green Smoothie

Blueberry Pie Smoothie

Creamy Mint Smoothie {Copycat Shamrock Shake}