Healthy Cherry Smoothie

Looking for a smoothie with a lower glycemic index? Look no further than this cherry smoothie recipe made with just four plant-based simple ingredients.

My family loves cherries and we can’t get enough of them. Of course, nothing beats fresh cherries, but frozen ones are often more affordable and can be used year-round.

Table of Contents

1. Cherry Smoothie Recipe
2. Ingredient Swaps
3. Sweet vs Tart Cherries
4. Low Glycemic Fruits for Smoothies
5. Cherry Smoothie FAQs
6. More Berry Smoothies
7. Healthy Cherry Smoothie Recipe

Cherry Smoothie Recipe

If you want a quick and nourishing smoothie then this four-ingredient one is an easy win:

1. Blend kale and canned coconut milk until smooth.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Make sure you pit the cherries before adding them to the blender (I often buy frozen so I can skip this step!). Make sure at least one fruit is frozen to enjoy a refreshingly cool smoothie. Feel free to add in my homemade protein powder to up the protein and fiber and turn this cherry smoothie into a complete breakfast.

Ingredient Swaps

If kale is a bit too strong for you, swap it out for the leafy green of your choice. All kinds of berries are low in sugar and have antioxidants, so you can use mixed berries or any other berry combo you want.

If you need less fat, use a light canned coconut, or carton coconut milk. Just know that this smoothie might not be as thick with carton coconut milk.

Antioxidant powerhouse

Free radicals are chemicals that can damage our bodies’ cells. While we can fight these free radicals with stuff already inside the body, we also rely on antioxidants from food to help in the fight.

Antioxidant supplements tout all kinds of miraculous properties, yet I believe in getting them in through plants like kale and cherries.

Sweet vs Tart Cherries

Tart cherries are, well, tart, and sweet cherries are sweet. Another distinction is that sweet cherries tend to be bigger and a deeper, darker red, where as tart cherries are brighter red and small. Both are high in antioxidants and great to use in smoothies.

Most studies regarding the health benefits of cherries have been conducted using Montmorency cherries, the most common variety of tart cherries. The cherries, fresh, frozen or dried and their juice can help with muscle recovery after intense physical activity.

Both types of cherries contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that we associate with sleep. It is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, both of which help with mood and sleep. Tryptophan supplementation has been shown to reduce irritability, PMS, depression and anxiety.

When blending this cherry smoothie, it’s truly up to you which type of cherry you use. All of them are winners in our book!

Low Glycemic Fruits for Smoothies

Berries and cherries are low glycemic foods, meaning that eating them won’t drastically affect blood sugar levels. These fruits are naturally lower in sugar and high in fiber, which also keeps blood sugar levels steady. Low sugar fruits include:

Fun fact: Bananas are often though of as high on the glycemic index, but they are actually considered low glycemic with an index score of 55. (Anything 55 and under is considered low glycemic.)

Tropical fruits tend to be high on the glycemic index. Pineapple, figs, cantaloupe, watermelon and guava are especially high in sugars.

Cherry Smoothie FAQs

More Berry Smoothies

If you loved this cherry smoothie recipe then you’ll love these berry smoothies as well!

• Blackberry smoothie
• Strawberry watermelon smoothie
• Raspberry smoothie
• Strawberry blueberry layered smoothie
• Blueberry spinach smoothie
• Strawberry smoothie
• Elderberry smoothie cubes
• Red velvet smoothie
• Spinach berry smoothie
• Strawberry banana smoothie
• Cherry collagen smoothie
• Berry smoothie
• Carrot strawberry smoothie
• Blueberry smoothie
• Strawberry mango smoothie
• Chocolate covered cherry smoothie
• Cranberry smoothie
• Mixed berry smoothie
• Berry banana smoothie
• Chocolate strawberry smoothie
• Cherry beet smoothie

So many options, how are you going to choose? Give my cherry smoothie a blend, then get ready to buy bulk fruit next time it goes on sale. You’ve got smoothies to blend. Don’t forget to leave a rating + review once you’ve tried it!