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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Sunbutter Maca Smoothie

    Published: Dec 3, 2021 · Modified: Jun 27, 2022 by Alicia This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sunbutter Maca Smoothie

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Sunbutter Maca Smoothie is a superfood smoothie that tastes like healthy caramel milkshake! The sweetness of the mulberries and complimented with the caramel flavor of lucuma for the perfect breakfast. It's the perfect smoothie without bananas or yogurt.

    Two maca smoothies next to a spoon with sunbutter and a white cloth

    You'll love this maca smoothie recipe because:

    • It's simple to make. It tastes like a milkshake but it healthy for you.
    • This sunbutter smoothie is packed with superfoods like maca powder, mulberries and goji berries.
    • This is a low GI smoothie with the sweetness coming from the lucuma.
    • It's a nut free smoothie without bananas!

    Why Add Maca to Smoothies?

    Maca powder, a superfood, is a Peruvian root crop that is said to improve fertility, aid menstrual issues, clear acne, regulate hormone balance, and remedy fatigue. It also boosts mental clarity and performance, something all people with migraine need. It was something I began when we decided to try to conceive, as I struggle with infertility and egg quality.

    A 2014 study showed maca root could be helpful for memory. It should be taken in small quantities so I usually add ½ teaspoon of the powder my smoothies. Occasionally people report digestive upset with maca, but are most likely using it in larger quantities.

    The flavor is very earthy, so mixing it with smoothies masks the stronger taste. In this sunbutter maca smoothie it works well together.

    Ingredients

    Maca, sunbutter, and other smoothie ingredients on a wood table

    I know this ingredients for this maca smoothie are a little unique - a smoothie without bananas or yogurt?! But these ingredients can also be used in other smoothie recipes to bump up the superfoods and antioxidants.

    • Dried Mulberries - Typically it's difficult to find fresh mulberries, but freeze-dried white mulberries are widely available in health food stores and on Amazon. I like to use Navitas. Mulberries are a good source of iron and vitamin C.
    • Ground Maca - Gelatinized refers to the processing of the maca root, it does not contain gelatin, and often this can be easier to digest. Typically this can be found at health food stores, Whole Foods, and on Amazon. I use the Navitas brand.
    • Lucuma Powder - Don't skip this! I love using lucuma powder in baking and as a smoothie sweetener. It's got a caramel-like, butterscotch flavor to it, making it a great substitute for banana in smoothies. It's also a great low glycemic index sweetener which helps prevent blood sugar spikes - important with smoothies! This Peruvian superfood is high in antioxidants and also a good source of potassium. You can order lucuma powder online or find it in health food stores.
    • Sunbutter - I use a roasted and salted sunbutter in this recipe, but any kind will do. If you hate sunflower seed butter, just substitute it with pumpkin seed butter to keep this nut free.
    • Goji Berries - Goji berries protect against cancer, can help provide anxiety and stress relief, and stabilize blood sugar. They may interact with some blood thinners and diabetes drugs so ask your doctor before using. This can also be omitted from the recipe without greatly changing the flavor. Goji is online or at health food stores.
    • Vanilla - Vanilla extract adds a wonderful cookie-like flavor to the recipe and makes it taste like a milkshake! Use any type you like. For alcohol free, Trader Joe's has a good one.
    • Milk - Any type of milk will work with this recipe. I like to use oat milk or hemp milk for extra protein.

    How to Make a Maca Smoothie

    Blending maca powder, ice, and milk in a high speed blender till smooth.

    This maca smoothie recipe is simple to make if you have a good blender. I recommend a high-speed one like Vitamix, Ninja, or Nutribullet.

    1. Add the dry ingredients to a blender. I know it seems weird to not put a bunch of fruit in there - trust me! It will be ok.
    2. Add the milk + ¼ cup of water and blend on high speed till everything is smooth. There should be no bits of fruit left.
    3. Add in ice, ½ cup at a time, blending on low first and turning the speed up to high gradually. Add enough ice till desired thickness is reached. The flavors are pretty powerful, so it would take a lot to water it down.
    4. Pour into a glass and serve!
    Two smoothies next to goji berries

    Recipe Modifications

    Other optional add-ins for this maca smoothie are:

    • Add spinach or kale for some extra greens!
    • Frozen cauliflower - this would make it extra creamy and good for a healthy milkshake substitute. Start with ⅓-1/2 cup.
    • Hemp seeds or protein powder for extra protein.
    A jar of mulberries next to two smoothie glasses and sunbutter on a white table.

    Smoothie Recipes

    For more recipes like this sunbutter maca smoothie, check out these smoothies.

    • Pumpkin Seed Smoothie
    • Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
    • Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
    • Apple Carrot Smoothie

    If you make any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And please leave a review below!

    Two maca smoothies in clear glasses with a small bowl of dried mulberries on the side.

    Maca Smoothie

    This delicious combination of dried white mulberries and lucuma powder tastes like a caramel cookie! It's a great way to pack in superfoods for breakfast.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2 16oz servings
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Alicia

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup dried white mulberries
    • 2 tablespoons dried goji berries
    • 1 tablespoon lucuma powder
    • 3 tablespoons sunflower seed butter
    • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds or chia seeds
    • ¾ cup milk (any kind)
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ teaspoons optional maca powder

    Instructions

    • Place the dry ingredients in the blender, then add milk, vanilla, and ¼ cup of water. Blend until totally smooth, stopping to scrap down the sides if needed.
    • Add ½ cup ice and blend till smooth. Keep adding ½ cup ice until desired consistency is reached. Taste every time to make sure it isn't getting watered down. The smoothie itself has a strong flavor, so it should take a lot to water it down. Serve immediately.
    • If using maca powder, spinach, or any additional add ins, add those with the dry ingredients.

    Notes

    • Sunflower butter can be substituted with pumpkin seed butter. 
    • The recipe is calculated with hemp milk. Any kind of milk will work here!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @thedizzycook or tag #thedizzycook!

    This post was originally titled "Sunbutter Smoothie" and posted Jan 3, 2018. It was updated December 3, 2021 to include new photos, recipe instructions, recipe edits and a new title. Below is an original image

    The Dizzy Cook HYH Sunflower Butter Smoothie
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    About Alicia

    Alicia is a vestibular migraine advocate and the bestselling author of The Dizzy Cook: Managing Migraine with More Than 90 Comforting Recipes and Lifestyle Tips. Her articles and recipes have been featured by Healthline, Parade, mindbodygreen, Today, Good Morning Texas, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the American Migraine Foundation. Read More

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz Pockrandt says

      February 23, 2022 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      This smoothie is delicious! I love that the ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and it’s simple to make. It’s very filling, too!

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        February 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm

        Thank you, Liz! That's a good call out. It definitely is more filling than the average smoothie!

        Reply
    2. Lori says

      January 26, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      I used to have a smoothie with blueberries, spinach and bananas every morning before I started the migraine elimination diet. No wonder I had so many headaches! I do miss bananas so I’m definitely going to have to try this smoothie recipe.

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        January 27, 2022 at 11:40 am

        I hope you enjoy it. It's nice to not have to have a lot of fruit on hand, these ingredients are pantry shelf stable for a long time.

        Reply
    3. Karey Spirit says

      March 15, 2021 at 4:31 am

      I don't understand why use an expensive ingredient like lucuma. It has potassium, and sugar. A little Vit C and Iron. No Protein and no fiber. What's the benefit?

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        December 12, 2021 at 1:31 pm

        Lucuma is a superfood with a low glycemic index for sweetener so it doesn't spike your blood sugar like other sweeteners. It makes a great substitute for banana.

        Reply
    4. Maxi says

      April 16, 2018 at 10:23 am

      Arent the dried berries u use have sulphates in them? I was told to stay away from dried berries cause they can cause migraines

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        April 16, 2018 at 4:37 pm

        Hi Maxi, No - I do not buy any dried fruits with added sulfites or sulfur dioxide. They are possible to find, especially with organic fruits. Trader Joe's has some unsulphered dried fruits. Also some dried fruits can contain more naturally occurring sulfites than others too. Prunes, raisins, and apricots are on the high side so I avoid those.

        Reply
    5. Joan Bickel says

      April 02, 2018 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      Alicia,

      It is Aunt Joan here. I tried your Sunbutter Smoothie this morning. It was really good. Joey and Grandma told me about your site and I found it very well put together and interesting. I told several of my doctors about it for their patients. It is great that you are trying to help others.

      After six years of suffering with pain myself, I finally found out that I have fibromyalgia. I even felt better after the diagnosis because I finally knew what it was. I had thought it was polymyalgia like my dad had, however, after a course of Prednisone, I knew it was not that so looked for a doctor and found one in Dallas who diagnosed me. Of course with my EDS, it does complicate the condition, but I guess we just have to deal with what we have been dealt the best we can.

      Keep up the great work and God Bless.

      Aunt Joan

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        April 02, 2018 at 3:25 pm

        Hi!! I've been trying to get grandma on the diet as migraines are genetic and we have similar symptoms. Not sure I can convince her to give up her bananas and canned goods though. 🙂 I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
        That's really interesting. The more involved I become in this world the more I realize fibromyalgia is also common with chronic migraineurs too. I'm glad you were finally diagnosed, that's sometimes half the battle. I will have you give you guys a call soon to catch up.

        Reply

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

    Trending Recipes

    • Creamy Boursin Pasta
    • Mediterranean Baked Halibut
    • Air Fryer Flank Steak
    • Grilled Bok Choy
    • Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
    • Chicken Zucchini Poppers with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

    Get New Posts via Email

    Subscribe for new recipes, tips, and discounts.

    Popular Summer Recipes

    • Crustless Blueberry Pie
    • Vanilla Ice Cream Pie
    • Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder
    • Dry Rub Oven Ribs (Baby Back)
    • Creamy Sweet Corn Pasta
    • Grilled Bok Choy

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