Blueberries might seem like an ordinary fruit, however, these little gems are anything but basic. Small, yet mighty, blueberries are rich in antioxidants including vitamin C, fiber that nourishes the gut and supports regularity, and are a potent source of beneficial polyphenols.
Polyphenols are a compound found in deeply colored plants, including berries, that act like antioxidants to fight inflammation, heart disease, mood and memory decline, and even support gut health.
The microbes in our digestive tract can use polyphenols for fuel where they act as a prebiotic to support the growth of good bacteria. When paired with probiotic-rich Lifeway Kefir, blueberries are a brilliant choice for your body in more ways than one.
Blueberries and Lifeway Kefir make a powerful duo for your gut health and taste delicious when combined! Our probiotic-rich kefir is one of your gut’s best allies since it contains billions of live probiotics that promote healthy digestion, support immunity, and provide skin, bone, and mood-supporting nutrients.
Lifeway Kefir’s complete protein amplifies the health benefits of blueberries in smoothies, shakes, desserts, frozen treats, bites, dips, and more. So we wanted to highlight this dynamic duo by sharing some of our favorite blueberry recipes made with Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese.
We hope these recipes inspire you to appreciate blueberries a bit more and help you love your guts with the help of us at Lifeway!
1. Blueberry Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie
This Blueberry Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie is sure to bring a smile to your face and give your gut a dose of probiotic goodness thanks to Lowfat Blueberry Kefir that’s also packed with complete protein. Blueberries, Lifeway Kefir, banana, and peanut butter all work together to keep you satisfied, so grab your blender, and go make this nourishing recipe for your next breakfast smoothie!
2. Blueberry Caramel Date Shake
For a dessert-like approach to your next smoothie, this healthy Blueberry Caramel Date Shake is a terrific choice. Medjool dates used here provide a delightful caramel-like flavor and provide fiber, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Lifeway Kefir brings gut-healthy probiotics, muscle-building protein, and a delicious creamy texture to this shake that tastes absolutely delicious. Topped with a fiery-sweet cinnamon drizzle for an extra pop of flavor, this recipe is a celebration of flavors you won’t want to miss!
3. Peach and Blueberry Farmer Cheese Salad
Nothing says summer like peaches and blueberries, so we combined these two fruits in a fresh, satisfying salad that’s stack high with benefits, including complete protein from Lifeway Farmer Cheese. Our creamy, cultured cheese takes any salad from drab to delicious and keeps you full hours after you enjoy it. With a vibrant combination of textures and flavors, this salad is one to put into your regular rotation all summer long!
4. Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream
Scoop your way to a calming, gut-healthy, protein-rich cone of delight with this Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream. Made with soothing lavender and brain-supporting blueberries, this ice cream is made even better with creamy Lifeway Kefir. You can make it without an ice cream maker, or you can even use a Creami® machine if you have one. Check out this easy recipe for your next frozen dessert this summer!
Blueberries, cashews, and Lifeway Kefir in one recipe? Sign us up for this creamy combination of goodness! Cashews are rich in magnesium for a calm mind, prebiotic fiber that aids in digestion, and they naturally help reduce stress thanks to being a good source of vitamin B6. Cashews are also creamy in texture and blend beautifully with blueberries and Lifeway Kefir. Our kefir boosts this smoothie with protein that supports a healthy mood and stable blood sugar levels, calcium that aids in calming and bone support, and it contains live and active cultures that nourish your digestive system. Your gut will love this smoothie as much as you will!
6. Frozen Blueberry Farmer Cheese Bites
Covered in a decadent topping of creamy, rich dark chocolate, wild blueberries are enrobed with extra layer indulgence found in Lifeway Farmer Cheese. These bites are a mix between the perfect afternoon snack and dessert, so you can enjoy them any time of day or night you need a chocolate fix that won’t upset your stomach. Our Farmer Cheese is not only an excellent source of protein; it’s also made with live and active cultures and is lactose intolerant friendly. Make some room in your freezer, then go make these bites!
7. Blueberry Lavender Dream Smoothie
This smoothie’s benefits start with gut-healthy Lowfat Blueberry Kefir. Lifeway kefir is high in protein, abundant in live and active probiotics with billions of cultures per serving, and it’s an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D for bone health. To that, we add antioxidant-rich wild blueberries (a great source of fiber!), calming lavender, magnesium-rich bananas, and a light drizzle of honey for an extra boost of sweetness and immune system support. This smoothie is a calming way to start your day or end your night on those days when you need it most.
For more healthy recipes full of protein and probiotics just like these, be sure to follow us on your favorite social media channels, and tag us @LifewayKefir with the hashtag #LifewayLovesYourGuts and #DiscoverLifeway so we can see all your delicious creations!