Are Smoothies Healthy?
The answer seems pretty easy and straightforward. However, that’s not always the case.
Smoothies are a great way to pack in a nutrient-dense meal, but if you’re not careful you can add unwanted sugar and calories to your smoothie and actually pack on the pounds.
It’s the easiest way to boost your daily fruit intake, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing can be bad when it comes to adding fruit to your smoothies.
The smart way to drinking smoothies is to be mindful of the ingredients you put in them. You should be mindful of the ounces, especially. A 20 – 24-fluid –ounce smoothie a day is a lot and any dietician will agree that that’s too much.
The key to drinking them is not stuffing in as many healthy foods as possible, it’s about adding in the right foods that are going to fill you up, keep you fuller longer, and help you lose (or maintain) your weight.
Many make the mistake of adding so much fruit into their morning smoothie (with good intentions) that they only end up adding too much sugar instead which then makes the smoothie pointless. You might as well have drunk a coke by the time you’ve added in all the sugar.
Here are some easy tips to follow when blending your smoothies:
- Always prepare your smoothie yourself
- Measure each ingredient
- Count the calories and carbs
- Think twice before drinking store-bought smoothies
- Use non-fat milk products
- Never add juice to your smoothie
- Invest in a good blender
We’ve seen several reports come out that say smoothies are the new health risk, but they don’t have to be when you follow the easy steps listed above.
The best thing about smoothies is they’re quick and easy to make, they improve digestion, and aid in weight loss when they’re made right. They can be used to detoxify the body and they’re actually really delicious. You can be as creative as you want with them so long as you’re mindful of the calories and sugar you’re putting in them.
Adding the right ingredients like a scoop of raw organic protein powder can build muscles, strengthen your immune system, and even provide you with radiant skin, nails, and hair.
Try egg whites, nonfat milk, frozen berries (3/4 cup at most), coconut oil, peanut butter, and the popular collagen powder.
Another great benefit to smoothies is that you can diversify them as much as you’d like. You don’t have to drink the same one with the same ingredients each day. With all the varieties of fruit and vegetable out there, you’re bound to find several you like.
This will keep you from getting bored and keep you on track to living a healthier and balanced lifestyle.
Not to mention, you’re actually saving money when you make them at home versus walking into a smoothie shop.
And on top of saving money, it’s also saving you calories and sugar because you’re in direct control of what ingredients are being added.
Here’s How To Make A Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Ever wondered how to make a strawberry banana smoothie? No worries, because we’re about to show you how!!
One of the best ways to refresh yourself and feel full for a reasonable amount of time is to have a truly delicious strawberry and banana smoothie.
This smoothie tastes so good you don’t feel deprived at all, and that helps when you are trying not to binge.
Plus, while strawberries are low in calories, they are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Also, the banana in this smoothie will give you vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folate, and a host of other minerals.
By using nonfat or low-fat yogurt, you will avoid unnecessary fat and still get calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin A with this treat. Also, if you are in need of a really great blender, I recommend using the Vitamix 5200 series, it really is in my opinion the best blender for smoothies.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (heaping)
- 1 large ripe banana or 2 rather small ones
- 1 cup yogurt (low fat)
- ½ cup ice cubes
- Mint sprigs
Steps On How To Make A Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- To garnish smoothies later, reserve as many strawberries as the number of servings you intend to have. Wash the rest thoroughly, hull and dice.
- Cut banana into 1-inch slices. (Frozen bananas work very well and make your smoothie thicker.)
- Put strawberries and banana pieces into the blender. Add ice cubes and yogurt.
- Using low speed, mix all ingredients until fruits and ice are broken down in your high-speed blender.
- Bring the speed up to high and continue till the mixture is smooth and well blended. Stop as needed to scrape down the sides of your blender.
- Taste the mixture and add a bit of sugar or artificial sweetener if desired.
- If you are adding sugar or a sweetener like stevia, process for another minute to make sure everything is fully blended.
- Pour smoothie into tall glasses. Garnish each glass by slitting strawberries three-fourths of the way and attaching one each onto the rim of your glasses. Add a sprig of mint and serve immediately.
The banana in this smoothie helps bind all the ingredients together. You can still have a smoothie without the banana if you like, but use high speed when blending and consume the smoothies right away.
This recipe is good for three servings, each with approximately 180 calories if you don’t use sugar.
You can add a bit of orange juice to make the smoothie a bit more tart, or use strawberry-flavored yogurt for a stronger strawberry flavor.
Some even like a drop of vanilla or almond flavoring in their strawberry banana smoothie.
And that’s how to make a strawberry banana smoothie
