Nutrition Diet: What is a Hailey Bieber smoothie?

Originally priced at around $20 at the upscale Erewhon market in Los Angeles, the viral What is a Hailey Bieber smoothie? craze took social media by storm for its promise of 'glazed donut skin'. This trendy, photogenic smoothie is designed to provide internal hydration and nourishment, complementing an external skincare routine.

Quick Summary

The Hailey Bieber smoothie is a high-priced, strawberry-avocado beverage from Erewhon, featuring supplements like collagen and sea moss, and marketed for skin health. It is known for its decadent flavor and luxurious ingredients.

Key Points

• Origin: The smoothie is a viral collaboration between Hailey Bieber and the upscale Los Angeles grocery store, Erewhon.

• Ingredients: Key components include strawberries, banana, avocado, almond milk, and collagen peptides, with sea moss gel and hyaluronic acid also included.

• Aesthetic Appeal: It is famously garnished with a strawberry glaze and coconut cream, giving it a distinctive 'glazed' appearance.

• Nutritional Concerns: Experts note the high sugar and calorie content of the original Erewhon version and question the efficacy of oral skin supplements like collagen and hyaluronic acid.

• Cost-Effective Alternative: Many choose to make a homemade copycat version for a fraction of the original $17-$20 price tag, often substituting expensive supplements for budget-friendly alternatives like chia seeds.

• Marketing: The smoothie is marketed as a 'skincare smoothie' to complement Hailey Bieber's Rhode skincare line, aiming for a healthy glow from within.

The Viral Story Behind the Smoothie

In a collaboration with the upscale Los Angeles grocery store chain Erewhon, model Hailey Bieber launched the 'Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie' to promote her skincare line, Rhode. This photogenic, multi-layered drink quickly gained viral fame across social media, primarily due to its delicious taste and the promise of achieving a glowing, 'glazed donut' complexion. The smoothie is known for its creamy texture and strawberry shortcake flavor, leading many to seek out the recipe or create budget-friendly 'dupes' at home.

A Closer Look at the Ingredients

The Erewhon version of the Hailey Bieber smoothie includes a blend of standard fruit and dairy-free ingredients along with several specialty supplements marketed for their beauty-boosting effects. Understanding each component is key to appreciating its nutritional profile and cost.

Key Ingredients for Creaminess and Flavor

• Strawberries: Both fresh and frozen strawberries are used—the fresh ones for the distinctive strawberry glaze, and the frozen ones to create the thick, fruity smoothie base. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which is known to support collagen production in the body.
• Avocado: A small amount of avocado is added to give the smoothie a rich, creamy texture without overpowering the strawberry flavor. Avocados also provide healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for cellular health and maintenance.
• Frozen Banana: Included for natural sweetness and to help create a super creamy consistency, frozen banana is a staple in many smoothie recipes. It is also a good source of potassium and dietary fiber.
• Almond Milk: A dairy-free liquid base, typically vanilla-flavored, is used to blend the ingredients smoothly. The original Erewhon recipe reportedly uses Malk brand almond milk.
• Dates and Maple Syrup: Medjool dates and maple syrup are included to provide extra sweetness and flavor. While dates offer some fiber, these ingredients add to the overall sugar content.
• Coconut Cream: A thick, rich coconut cream is smeared on the inside of the glass before the smoothie is poured in, adding a luxurious and creamy finish.

The Controversial "Skin-Boosting" Additions

• Collagen Peptides: Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen is a featured ingredient, intended to support skin elasticity, hair, and nail health. However, the effectiveness of ingested collagen for improving skin appearance is a topic of debate among nutritionists.
• Sea Moss Gel: This mineral-rich algae is believed to provide skin hydration and boost collagen production. Experts caution that the amount needed for benefits is unclear and excessive intake could lead to thyroid issues due to high iodine levels.
• Liquid Hyaluronic Acid: Typically used in topical skincare, liquid hyaluronic acid was included in the original recipe to support hydration. Similar to collagen, the efficacy of oral supplementation for skin health is still under scientific scrutiny.

Nutritional Analysis and Expert Take

Nutritionists offer a balanced perspective on the Hailey Bieber smoothie, highlighting both its positive and less-desirable aspects. While the smoothie contains numerous nutritious components like fruits and healthy fats, the original Erewhon recipe, which features multiple sweeteners and a high-fat coconut cream, is quite high in calories and sugar.

Experts suggest that for balanced blood sugar and sustained energy, it's beneficial to omit the added sweeteners and enhance the fiber content with ingredients like chia or flax seeds. There is also limited robust scientific evidence supporting the skin-boosting claims of oral collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements, and the quantity added in the Erewhon smoothie is likely insufficient to produce noticeable results.

Comparison Table: Erewhon Original vs. DIY Copycat

Ingredient Category	Erewhon Original	Homemade Copycat (Budget-Friendly)
Base	Malk Almond Milk	Standard Unsweetened Almond or Oat Milk
Fruits	Organic Strawberries & Banana	Frozen Strawberries & Banana
Healthy Fats	Organic Avocado	Avocado
Sweeteners	Dates, Maple Syrup, Stevia	Medjool Dates (1-2)
Protein/Supplements	Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen	Standard Vanilla Protein Powder
Superfoods	Sea Moss Gel, Liquid Hyaluronic Acid	Chia or Flax Seeds (1 tbsp)
Cream Finish	Zuma Valley Coconut Cream	Canned Coconut Cream (top solid part)

How to Make a Hailey Bieber Smoothie at Home

Recreating the famous strawberry glaze smoothie at home is a cost-effective and delicious way to enjoy the trend. Here is a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/4 avocado
• 1-2 Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh strawberries
• 2 tbsp coconut cream (the solid part from a chilled can)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glaze: Mash the fresh strawberries with a fork or blend them until you have a thick puree. Set aside.
2. Coat the Glass: Using a spoon or knife, smear a stripe of coconut cream and a layer of the strawberry glaze on the inside of your serving glass for the signature aesthetic.
3. Blend the Smoothie: Add the frozen strawberries, frozen banana, avocado, dates, almond milk, protein powder, and chia seeds to a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, adding a little more almond milk if necessary to reach the desired consistency.
4. Assemble and Serve: Pour the blended smoothie into your prepared glass and enjoy immediately.

Conclusion

The Hailey Bieber smoothie is a delicious and highly photogenic drink that became a social media sensation through its association with a popular celebrity and luxury brand. While it contains many nutrient-dense ingredients like strawberries and avocado, the Erewhon original is high in sugar and calories, and the purported skin-boosting effects of its special supplements are scientifically unproven. For a more balanced and budget-friendly option, making a copycat version at home is a great alternative. By focusing on whole-food ingredients and skipping the costly, less-proven supplements, you can create a satisfying and truly nourishing treat that captures the flavor and aesthetic of the original. For further information on the potential benefits of whole food alternatives, consider consulting nutritional advice from resources like Cozymeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a Hailey Bieber smoothie?

The Hailey Bieber smoothie, officially the 'Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie,' typically contains frozen strawberries, frozen banana, avocado, almond milk, dates, maple syrup, collagen peptides, sea moss gel, and liquid hyaluronic acid, garnished with a coconut cream swirl.

Is the Erewhon Hailey Bieber smoothie worth the price?

The original Erewhon smoothie is generally considered overpriced, costing around $17-$20. While delicious, many experts question the value of the 'skin-boosting' supplements included, and copycat recipes allow for a more affordable version.

Is the Hailey Bieber smoothie actually healthy?

The smoothie contains nutritious ingredients like fruits and healthy fats from avocado, but nutritionists point out that the high sugar and calorie content from multiple sweeteners and coconut cream may be a concern for some. The skin benefits from supplements like collagen and hyaluronic acid are also debatable.

How can I make a Hailey Bieber smoothie at home for cheaper?

You can make a budget-friendly copycat by blending frozen strawberries and banana with avocado, almond milk, and dates for sweetness. You can replace the expensive sea moss and hyaluronic acid with fiber-rich chia or flax seeds.

What is the white stuff lining the glass in the smoothie?

The white substance lining the glass in the viral smoothie is a thick coconut cream, which adds a decadent, creamy texture and contributes to its photogenic appearance.

Can I replace the collagen in the Hailey Bieber smoothie?

Yes, you can substitute the collagen powder with a standard vanilla protein powder for similar protein content, or if you are looking for alternative skin-supporting ingredients, consider adding Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Do I need sea moss gel and hyaluronic acid for the smoothie?

No, these ingredients are optional and expensive. Nutrition experts suggest that their effectiveness via a single smoothie is limited and that more scientifically supported alternatives like adding seeds for fiber or focusing on a balanced diet are more beneficial.