Fibre-Rich Orange Carrot Smoothie

Healthy and refreshing, this Orange Carrot Smoothie is packed with fibre, vitamins A and C, protein, and flavour! All thanks to nutritious ingredients including carrots, navel oranges, fresh ginger, Greek yogurt, turmeric, and hemp seeds. It’s super quick to make, and a great way to start incorporating more veggies to your smoothies.

As a Registered Dietitian, a big part of my nutrition philosophy is focusing on adding to your diet, rather than subtracting. Delicious and nutritious smoothies are an easy way to do so!

I always say that smoothies are a great opportunity to pack nutrition into your day. You can easily add in lots of nourishing ingredients like fruits, nuts, seeds, and yogurt.

Smoothies are also a fantastic way to sneak some extra vegetables into your day – without really knowing that they’re there! Some great examples of this are my Extra Creamy Zucchini Smoothie, Ultimate 5-Minute Morning Smoothie, and Green Power Smoothie.

About This Carrot Smoothie Recipe:

I know, you’re probably thinking that carrots in a smoothie sounds…different. And for some people it is! But that doesn’t mean it’s not super delicious and good for you.

In this carrot ginger smoothie, I used shredded carrots. You can shred your own or use store-bought. This puts less pressure on your blender than using whole or chopped carrots, and ensures that everything gets blended up smoothly.

You actually can’t really taste the carrots in the smoothie anyway, because they’re paired with delicious ingredients like oranges, banana, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla. But you definitely reap the nutrition benefits!

Orange Carrot Smoothie Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this smoothie recipe:

• Carrots
• Navel oranges
• Banana
• Greek yogurt
• Ginger root
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Water

Nutrition Benefits of this Carrot Smoothie Recipe:

As I’ve already mentioned, this carrot smoothie recipe is not only tasty and vibrant, it’s really good for you too! Here’s a list of the nutrition benefits it offers:

• High in fibre: This smoothie boasts several fibre-rich ingredients including our trusty carrots, which offer 3 grams of fibre (12% of the recommended daily value) per cup! Fibre is important for a host of health reasons, including digestive health, the gut microbiome, and blood sugar management.
• Rich in vitamin C: As we know, vitamin C plays an important role in immune health. Carrots and oranges are both key ingredients in this recipe and are both sources of vitamin C.
• Rich in vitamin A: The orange pigment in carrots comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in vision health, heart health, and prevention of disease including heart disease and certain cancers.
• Anti-inflammatory: Thanks to the addition of turmeric, this smoothie not only has a vibrant colour, it also may offer anti-inflammatory properties! Curcumin – the main compound in turmeric is known for having anti-inflammatory benefits. While there’s only a small amount in this smoothie, it definitely doesn’t hurt!
• Good source of protein: Any balanced smoothie recipe should have a source of protein. Protein is a key macronutrient for feeling full and satisfied. I used Greek yogurt in this smoothie, and in addition to protein, it also helps make this smoothie nice and creamy.

Should I Use Cooked or Raw Carrots in My Smoothie?

Using raw carrots in your smoothie is just fine!

The key here is to shred the carrots (it helps to use a box grater) into fine, small pieces before adding them to your blender. Not only is this easier on your blender, it also prevents your from getting chunks of carrot in your smoothie! That’s no fun.

Alternatively, to avoid shredding carrots, you can purchase pre-shredded carrots from your local grocery store and add them to your smoothie.

Greek Yogurt in Smoothies:

If you’re curious about whether you should use Greek yogurt vs. regular yogurt in your smoothie, let me share some insight.

Greek yogurt tends to be thicker and higher in protein. Regular yogurt is thinner and more runny, with less protein. Some people prefer the thinner regular yogurt in their smoothies, and others opt for Greek yogurt to add some extra protein.

I’ve used both in this smoothie recipe, and the results were equally delicious. I tend to lean towards Greek yogurt for the protein as it helps me feel fuller for longer.

Storage & Substitution Suggestions:

This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free. If you would like to make it vegan, you can use a non-dairy yogurt alternative rather than Greek yogurt. Alternatively, you can omit the yogurt altogether and add a plant-based protein powder (I suggest unflavoured or vanilla-flavoured).

The blended smoothie will keep well in the fridge up to 3 days. I recommend storing it in a sealed container like a mason jar, and giving it a good shake before drinking.

Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below. Oh, and be sure to take a photo and tag me at @hannahmagee_rd so I can re-share on my stories!

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