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When it comes to helping my clients’ diets, I have them start each day with one of my signature immune-boosting, be-well smoothies. But how does a tasty smoothie support your body?

Well, the greens in each smoothie contain the vitamins and minerals your body needs for hormonal balance. The fiber from the greens also feeds the microbiome in your gut, which ensures that you absorb these vitamins and minerals. Finally, protein helps calm your hunger hormones, allowing you to have a four- to six-hour window of satiety without feeling like you need to snack before your next nutrient-dense meal.

Try one or all of my immune-boosting smoothies! These low-sugar recipes are a nice, satisfying way to start your day.

My go-to Spa Smoothie includes avocado, spinach, mint leaves, and a refreshing touch of lemon. Continue to reap immune-boosting benefits of lemon throughout the day by adding a slice to a cup of warm water in the morning, or squeeze lemon juice on your salad when dining out.

Spa Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1 to 2 tbsp. chia seeds
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • handful of spinach (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 small Persian cucumber
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups unsweetened nut milk

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend to the desired consistency. If you use frozen spinach, there’s no need to add ice. If you use fresh spinach, you can add a small handful of ice to cool the smoothie.

Pro tip: The oils in the mint leaves will help rehydrate you naturally when you’re feeling under the weather. Steep some peppermint tea and store it in the fridge, then use it instead of nut milk as the base of your smoothie for an invigorating kick!

This simple but delicious kale smoothie is chock-full of leafy greens containing vitamins A and C, fiber, and calcium. The beta carotene in kale also delivers a youthful glow by increasing pigment in the skin and potentially neutralizing free radicals. Almonds are also a great source of antioxidants and nutrients.

Kale Me Crazy

Ingredients

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend to the desired consistency. If you need to cool it down, add a small handful of ice.

Delicious blueberries and acai are loaded with vitamin C! They also contain anthocyanins. These are plant anti-oxidants associated with the ability to lower cholesterol levels, fight oxidative stress, and help prevent aging.

Packed with vitamin A and fiber, the acai berry is a skin superhero. The spinach in this smoothie is also a great source of omega-3s, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B, C, and E.

Acai Green

Ingredients

  • 1 serving organic vanilla pea protein
  • 1/4 – 1/2 avocado
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • handful of spinach
  • 1 tbsp. acai powder
  • 1/4 cup organic frozen or fresh wild blueberries
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend to the desired consistency. If you aren’t using frozen blueberries, you can add a small handful of ice to cool it down.

Turmeric contains medicinal properties called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is the ultimate “anti.” It’s been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.

Another key component of this smoothie is its medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). MCTs are a healthy fat that can reduce inflammation by killing off bad bacteria, such as candida or yeast, that can overgrow in our intestines. They’re also known for increasing energy, decreasing weight, and supporting appetite control. MCTs most often come from coconuts. They’re a clear, tasteless oil that’s easy to add to smoothies.

Add a few raspberries to this smoothie to up your intake of vitamin A, C, and E!

Coconut Turmeric Cream

Ingredients

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend to the desired consistency. If you aren’t using frozen raspberries, you can add a small handful of ice to cool it down.

Spring feels like it should be just around the corner, but we’re technically still in the middle of cold and flu season. During this time of the year, I like to help my clients get an extra immunity boost with vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a key role in the immune system: It stimulates the production of white blood cells, which help fight infections. It may also reduce the amount of time an infection stays in the body.

My smoothie formula of protein, fat, fiber, and greens (aka: #bwbkfab4) is guaranteed to nourish your body with what it needs to turn down hunger hormones, keep you satisfied for hours, and limit excessive sugar. They’re also an easy way to increase your intake of vitamin C, as they’re plentiful in leafy greens, citrus fruits, berries, and even avocado!

Kelly LeVeque is a celebrity nutritionist, wellness expert, and best-selling author based in Los Angeles. Before starting her consulting business, Be Well By Kelly, she worked in the medical field for Fortune 500 companies like J&J, Stryker, and Hologic, eventually moving into personalized medicine, offering tumor gene mapping and molecular subtyping to oncologists. She received her bachelor’s from UCLA and completed her postgrad clinical education at UCLA and UC Berkeley. Kelly’s client list includes Jessica Alba, Chelsea Handler, Kate Walsh, and Emmy Rossum. Guided by a practical and optimistic approach, Kelly helps people improve their health, achieve their goals, and develop sustainable habits to live a healthy and balanced life. Follow her on Instagram.