Best Brain-Boosting Smoothie for OCD & Anxiety
This best smoothie recipe for OCD and anxiety is packed with ingredients that support brain health, reduce inflammation, and stabilize mood—perfect for managing mental health symptoms. This smoothie recipe for OCD and anxiety includes protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, and gut-friendly nutrients.
Smoothies are a fast, convenient way to meet your nutritional needs. Plus, they're easy to take with you on your morning commute. This recipe is one of my favorites, and I often drink it for breakfast or lunch.
Nutrition Therapy for OCD & Anxiety
You might be thinking: How does food help OCD? Can certain foods improve anxiety? Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health, particularly for those dealing with conditions like OCD and anxiety. The food we consume directly influences our brain chemistry and overall well-being. As a functional medicine practitioner and counselor, I help people optimize their nutrition so it supports their mental health. Learn more about me here.
In fact, nutrient-rich foods provide the building blocks for neurotransmitters. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and emotions. Diets high in processed foods and sugars can lead to inflammation and imbalances in gut health, negatively impacting mental clarity and emotional stability.
Conversely, a diet rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and antioxidants supports brain function, reduces inflammation, and enhances mood. By prioritizing nutrition, you can harness the power of food to improve your mental health and cultivate a more balanced state of mind.
Let's dive in and check out the ingredients for the best smoothie for OCD & anxiety. You'll learn which foods help calm OCD and anxiety, and how to incorporate them into a smoothie.
Ingredients for the Best Smoothie for OCD & Anxiety
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (plant-based or grass-fed whey)
Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, and it supports neurotransmitter production. Keeping your blood sugar regulated helps calm anxiety and OCD. See my favorite protein powders here.
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that’s easy on the gut. Some people with OCD and anxiety have food sensitivities or food intolerances to cow's milk. Therefore, avoiding dairy helps calm OCD and anxiety. You can learn more about how to discover if you have food sensitivities by reading my blog post, Functional Medicine Tests for OCD: Can Lab Tests Reveal Root Causes, here.
1/2 cup frozen organic berries (blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries)
Berries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for people with OCD and anxiety because they help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, which can improve mood regulation and overall mental clarity.
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids to support brain function and mood regulation.
1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
Chia seeds are another great source of omega-3s as well as a source of fiber. Thus, they provide support for brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve mood, making them beneficial for managing symptoms of OCD and anxiety.
1/2 avocado
Avocado provides healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar and enhance absorption of nutrients. If avocados aren't your thing, you can use any healthy fat, like ghee, coconut oil, or EVOO. Did you know your brain is mostly fat? That's why healthy fat is an important gut-brain food.
1 handful of spinach
A great source of magnesium, spinach can help reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system. Magnesium regulates neurotransmitters and can help alleviate symptoms of OCD and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. I promise you won't even taste the spinach in this smoothie!
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar and adds a natural sweetness without sugar. Cinnamon is a gut-brain booster due to its high antioxidant content, which helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the gut, promoting a healthier microbiome. It also supports blood sugar regulation by improving insulin sensitivity, which can stabilize energy levels and mood, thereby enhancing cognitive function and overall mental health.
1/4 cup plain coconut yogurt (unsweetened)
Yogurt adds probiotics for gut health, supporting the gut-brain connection. Make sure to check the label for sugar content and buy one that has less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. Also, to maximize the probiotic benefits, look for yogurts labeled with specific strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and check for those with at least 1 billion CFUs per serving. Additionally, consuming a variety of probiotic-rich foods can contribute to a more diverse gut microbiome, which is beneficial for mental health. To learn more about probiotics, read my blog post, 3 Simple Tricks to Find the Right Probiotics for You, here.
1/2 cup ice cubes
For desired consistency.
Directions
Add all ingredients into a blender.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Pour into a glass, enjoy immediately, and feel the brain-boosting benefits!
How This Smoothie Recipe Helps OCD & Anxiety
Protein keeps blood sugar stable and supports neurotransmitter balance.
Healthy fats from avocado, flaxseeds, and chia seeds provide essential omega-3s for reducing brain inflammation.
Antioxidants from blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and support cognitive function.
Probiotics from coconut yogurt help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is critical for mental health.
In general, this smoothie is a delicious, nutrient-packed way to start your day while supporting your mental health and emotional well-being.
Where to Find Online Therapy for OCD & Anxiety or In Person Therapy for OCD & Anxiety
Do you want help navigating the best diet for your OCD and anxiety? Are you interested in virtual therapy for OCD and anxiety or in person therapy for OCD and anxiety? I'm an OCD and anxiety expert. I've battled OCD and anxiety for decades. I know what works because I live this lifestyle and have helped many people just like you. I can help you get your life back! Click here to work with me. I offer virtual therapy for OCD and anxiety across Texas and in person therapy for OCD and anxiety in Frisco, Texas, which is suburb of Dallas. I'd be honored to work with you and help you finally break free from obsessive thoughts and constant worries.