— By Assia Mortensen
Smoothies became prevalent in the US in the late 1960s, when ice cream vendors and health food stores began selling them to health-conscious consumers. By the 1990s, smoothies were so well liked that many cafes and restaurants added them to their menus. Smoothies remain popular and pre-blended versions are now readily available in many supermarkets.
Nutritious, easy to transport and versatile, smoothies make a convenient on-the-go breakfast or tasty afternoon pick-me-up. Smoothies are an easy way to get adequate amounts of vitamins and protein in your diet, especially if you are busy. You may want to tailor your smoothie to your specific taste and health needs. For example, for weight loss and added nutrients, try a fruit juice and low-fat frozen yogurt-based smoothie as a breakfast substitute.
You may want to add a super-foods formula or immune support formula to your drink for extra vitamins and minerals. According to the University of Utah Health Care, “If you stick to nonfat yogurt, you can enjoy a smoothie that’s packed with vitamins, protein and calcium—with virtually no fat.”
For added protein and to help build muscle, think whole milk with a high-quality protein powder. Some people find “recovery shakes” very helpful after a workout. Recovery shakes are meant to replace your nutrients after exertion, and may contain ingredients such as peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and supplements like creatine and L-glutamine.
These refreshing smoothies can be made in a “BlenderBottle,” or use a standard blender if you would like to add pieces of fresh or frozen fruit to your recipe.
Orange-Passion Fruit Freeze
Ingredients
1 cup citrus flavored sorbet
1/2 cup passion fruit, juiced
1/2 cup orange juice
(high in antioxidants, refreshing and tangy)
Cranberry Twist
Ingredients
1 cup cranberry juice
1/3 cup club soda
1/3 cup lemonade
1/3 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
1/3 cup crushed ice (optional)
(high in vitamin C, nice on a hot afternoon, provides energy)
High-Protein Shake
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1/8 cup chocolate flavored protein powder
1/4 cup vanilla ice cream (or soy ice cream)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
(great for energy, tasty, a healthier version of a milkshake)
Fruit Punch Freeze
Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
1 scoop fruit immune support formula
1/3 cup crushed ice (optional)
(packed with vitamins and nutrients, provides energy)
Blender Bottles by Sundesa work well for simple smoothies and mixes. They are easy to transport and require no electricity. If you’d like to see iHerb’s selection of Sundesa Blender Bottles, click here. Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get $10 off any first time order with a $40 minimum purchase or $5 off of orders less than $40.
References:
Smoothie: a milkshake without fat. University of Utah Health Care. Available at http://healthcare.utah.edu/healthlibrary/related/doc.php?type=1&id=523. Accessed April 25, 2012.
