Introduction To Using A Vitamix For Smoothies
If youre looking for a way to make delicious and healthy smoothies at home, you cant go wrong with a Vitamix blender. Vitamix blenders are known for their power and versatility, and theyre perfect for making smoothies with little to no hassle. In this article, well show you how to use a Vitamix to make a smoothie, step by step.
First, gather your ingredients. Youll need some fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as some liquid . If you want, you can also add some yogurt, honey, or ice. Once you have all of your ingredients, wash them and cut them into pieces that will fit easily into your Vitamix blender.
Next, put all of your ingredients into the Vitamix blender. Start with the liquid, then add the softest ingredients first and the hardest ingredients last. If youre using frozen fruit, you can add that now as well.
Now its time to blend! Start the Vitamix on a low setting and gradually increase the speed until all of the ingredients are blended together. If your smoothie is too thick, you can add more liquid until it reaches the desired consistency. If its too thin, you can add more fruit or vegetables.
Once your smoothie is finished, pour it into a glass and enjoy! If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for later.
How To Make It Plant Based / Vegan
You can make this strawberry smoothie plant-based or vegan by doing the following:
- Make our strawberry banana smoothie. Try our Strawberry Banana Smoothie: its vegan and uses only 2 ingredients!
- Substitute non-dairy milk AND vegan yogurt or ½ banana for the yogurt. We like using oat milk or almond milk. Oat milk is usually a little sweeter and creamier so we tend to like that a little more. You could also try coconut milk, which adds a nice coconut essence, or soy milk. Then for the yogurt, use vegan yogurt or another ½ banana.
Healthy Fruit Smoothie Faqs
What fruits are best for smoothies?
You can pretty much use any fruit you like in a smoothie. Try strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana, mango, peaches, cherries, pineapple, watermelon, you name it. For the best results, use frozen fruit. It makes for a creamier smoothie!
Are smoothies best with milk or water?
I definitely recommend using milk for your smoothie. It creates a creamier texture and better flavor. Dairy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are all great options.
Do you put ice in a smoothie?
If youre using frozen fruit, no. It isnt necessary to use ice in a smoothie. Frozen fruit is the best way to get a cold and creamy smoothie without watering it down. If all you have is fresh fruit, or you like your smoothies super cold, it is fine to add ice.
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Whats The Best Blender For Making Smoothies
Blenders have gotten so advanced in the past few years, that its hard to pick one that wont blend up a great smoothie! If youre blender shopping, here are the three blenders we recommend for daily smoothie-making:
- MOST AFFORDABLE: Cuisinart Immersion/Stick BlenderDont let its small size fool you, this tiny handheld blender is packed full of power, and will easily make a smoothie for you every day! Its perfect if youre limited on counter space.
- MEDIUM: Ninja Professional BlenderFor under $100, you get an incredibly powerful blender that makes a dreamy, creamy smoothie. This was the blender we used in the Wholefully test kitchen for years, and its a great starter-level, but still high-powered, blender.
- SPLURGE: Vitamix Professional BlenderA Vitamix is the top of the line when it comes to blenders, and its what we use every day in the Wholefully test kitchen. It comes with a hefty price tag , so if youre just blending a smoothie every now and again, there is no need to make the splurge. But if you do a lot of cooking or make a lot of smoothies or blended drinks, you might want to start saving your pennies for a Vitamix. Its a lifetime appliance that is a dream to use!
How To Make It
Unlike baking recipes, for instance, smoothie recipes do not have to use exact measurements. You can adjust according to taste. The only difference in choosing between fresh or frozen fruit is how thick you want it to be. Frozen will make for a more milkshake-thick smoothie, whereas fresh will get thickened up slightly by the ice, but have a more liquidy texture. Or you can combine frozen and fresh fruit.
You can use any kind of soft fruit you want, such as berries, bananas, peeled peaches or nectarines, melons, even grapes, and puree, and know you can always add a bit more fruit or ice to thicken it or a bit more milk to thin it out.
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What Do I Need To Make A Smoothie
Dont be embarrassed if youre searching for information about what you need to make a smoothie. Not everyone knows what things you need to make a smoothie, at least not at first. You might think that everyone already knows this and so its a stupid question. But relax. Everyone starts somewhere.
Since this site is based around blenders and what you can do with them I figured it was time that I created the definitive article that explains what you need to make a smoothie. For beginners.
So, this article will explain in detail every single thing you need, starting with the beldner, and ending with the cup. And yes, Ill cover everything in between. So its super comprehensive. You can skip some of the middle section where I cover extras that you can put in your smoothie. But I suggest reading the whole thing so that you get an idea about how you can customize your smoothie once you get a hang of the basics.
What Is The Healthiest Liquid To Put In A Smoothie
When it comes to making a smoothie, many people think about which liquid to chose. However, there are many different liquids that can be put into a smoothie and it really depends on what you are looking for in a drink. Some of the most healthiest liquids to put into a smoothie include water, almond milk, and grapefruit juice.
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How To Freeze Bananas For Smoothies
Frozen bananas are a smoothies best friend. They add a nearly unmatchable creaminess and natural sweetness and make your smoothie perfectly chilled without the need to dilute the flavor with ice.
To freeze bananas for smoothies, its best to use ones that are ripe with some brown spots, but not overripe or mushy. We like to slice them in 1-inch pieces, transfer to a silicone- or parchment-lined baking sheet or plate, and freeze until firm. This prevents them from sticking together, and the smaller pieces are easier on your blenders motor. Once frozen, transfer them to a sealed bag where theyll keep for about 1 month.
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Best Heavy Duty Blender
You just cant go wrong with a Vitamix Professional Series blender it will last you for years! Small businesses love this blender and use it in their coffee shops and even gyms.
The best feature of the Vitamix is that the way the blades move actually whip air into the mixture, giving you a light and creamy smoothie-like nothing else can.
Another fantastic thing about the Vitamix is that it can do so much more than just smoothies! You can use it to make homemade ice cream, healthy shakes, and even soups.
This heavy-duty machine can also puree tough things like kale and nuts into your smoothie. There are so many reasons this blender is worth the splurge.
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Can I Lose Weight By Drinking Smoothies
You certainly can lose weight, but only if you drink the right weight loss smoothies. Some are so full of calories you might consume a huge amount of your suggested intake without realising it.
A popular way to lose weight with smoothies is to have one as a meal replacement. I like to have one for breakfast and/or lunch and then have a clean unprocessed dinner . Try and aim for a more vegetable heavy smoothie and add in some ginger or lemon to make it more palatable.
An Easy Guide To Make Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie
What can be better than having a refreshing, creamy yet healthy and nutritious strawberry banana smoothie on a hot summer day or after a tiring leg day? An easy-to-make strawberry banana smoothie can be your ultimate savior.
Strawberries and bananas complement each other like Netflix and chill. Strawberries and bananas blend beautifully and can give many great smoothies and shakes recipes.
Smoothies are easy to make and can be a healthy breakfast option. Making smoothies are a fun and relaxing way to start the mornings. Want to know how to make a delicious smoothie? Read the article till the end as we share everything you need to know about the smoothie, just in simple eight points.
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Blueberry And Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie
The Spruce
All-natural, vegan, low-calorie, and raw, this superfood smoothie is nutritious and delicious. Antioxidant-rich blueberries and iron-rich spinach will start your day off right. This drink doesn’t contain any sweeteners, but you can add a touch of honey or use fruit juice as the liquid if you like. Using a very ripe banana will naturally sweeten things up, too.
Cabbage Carrot And Apple Juice
Adding carrots and green apple to the juicer with your cabbage can create a fresh zap of flavor, while still providing nutrients and vitamins.
Green apples provide the body with pectin, a fiber source that works as a prebiotic to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. .
Carrots, in addition to being full of vitamins like K and A, are also a great way to keep blood sugar levels controlled. This may be a good juice option for anyone with diabetes or another blood sugar condition.
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What To Do If Your Breakfast Smoothie Leaves You Hungry Before Lunch
There is a very simple solution to this. That being said, not everybody can do this because you will need a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix or Ninja blender . If you have one, then youre in luck! All you have to do is blend in a quarter cup of raw oats! The uncooked oats will expand in your tummy, keeping you full until lunch! And yes, its safe to eat raw oats. Though, if you are gluten-free, be sure to purchase gluten-free oats. They are highly cross-contaminated even though they are naturally gluten-free.
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How To Freeze Fruit For Smoothies
To make smoothies even easier, freeze fresh fruit into portions. You can even prepare smoothie packs and freeze them for a grab-and-blend smoothie option.
To freeze fruit for smoothies, rinse and chop fresh fruit into small pieces. Pat them dry then arrange, in one layer, on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Slide the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze until hard .
When the fruit is hard, divide it between freezer-safe bags and keep it in the freezer for your next smoothie.
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The Reason You Should Never Add Ice To A Smoothie
The global smoothie market was just over $12 billion in 2019, and positioned to reach $17 billion by 2025, more than hinting at the obsession with these tasty drinks . Smoothies are popular for their convenience , and because many consumers associate them with healthy eating . North America has the highest demand for smoothies, with popular companies such as Smoothie King, Jamba Juice, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe answering the call to blend more .
Although marketed as a healthy alternative, many commercially created smoothies are filled with hidden calories and sugar due to additions such as orange juice, ice cream, and syrup . This fact has led some consumers to create smoothies at home, using items found in the fridge and your own produce basket. But the next time youre tossing blueberries, kale, apples, and yogurt into the blender, you may want to leave out the ice. Heres why.
How To Make A Smoothie: The Simple And Perfect Home Recipe
Like smoothies? It’s a delicious drink that’s easy to make and adds fruitand vegetables to your diet! Don’t spend $7 on something you can make at homewith whatever ingredients you have on hand in your kitchen! This is the perfectquick and healthy breakfast option to give you energy all day long. Throweverything together and take it on-the-go. Or put things out for the kids afterschool hours.
This basic perfect smoothie recipe provides a great base for you to addprotein and fiber, as well as whatever flavors you like. We’ve tested thisrecipe and explain the physics of how it works so you’ll get something thatblends perfectly every time.
Five simple steps make the perfect smoothie recipe:
You can throw everything in a cheap blender and get pretty goodresults, but you’ll get the best and most consistent results by following thistemplate. Why? Physics!
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And Check Out Some Of Our Favorite Smoothie Hacks Too:
- How to Freeze Strawberries. There are lots of ways to use frozen strawberries, but smoothies are definitely one of my favorites!
- How to Freeze Blueberries. We freeze as much fruit as we have room for every summer, for smoothies all year long.
- How to Cut a Pineapple. Dont be intimidated by that spiky skinheres the easiest way to cut a pineapple.
- Smoothie Booster Packs. Never let spinach go bad again! Drop these frozen smoothie packs into your smoothies to boost the nutrition.
- 3 Ways to Meal Prep Smoothies. Yes, you can make ahead smoothies! And we have three ways to show you how.
Make These Fresh Customizable Smoothies At Home And Skip The Pricey Juice Bar Or Supermarket Bottled Versions
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, and former fitness instructor who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness. She holds a double major in magazine journalism and kinesiology from Iowa State University. She also passed her level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, received her personal trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and group fitness instructor certification through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America . She’s covered health, food, fitness, psychology, beauty, and beyond for more than 12 years. In addition to BHG.com, her writing has been published in AllRecipes, Runner’s World, Shape and Fitness Magazines, as well as on EatingWell.com, Shape.com, ReadersDigest.com, TheHealthy.com, Prevention.com, WomensHealthMag.com, and more.
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Does Smoothies Aid Weight Loss
Smoothies are already branded as a weight loss product due to the substitution with meals and breakfast. pre-workout and post-workout smoothies are going in trend. The celebrities and nutritionists always preach the wonders it does to the body. The exact balance of fruits and veggies is an important factor for weight loss. The low-fat liquid base such as non-dairy milk or yogurt with the addition of supplements like protein powder can boost the extra nutrients.
Especially the green drink are a good source of vegetable intake and it is obvious that the leafy green veggies like spinach and kale are strong phytochemicals rich in calcium and vitamins K.
Green leafy veggies not only control the sugar levels but also lower the possibility of chronic illness. Here is the recipe of blended green smoothie which helps to boost metabolism:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup to fresh or frozen fruits of your choice
- 1 cup green leafy veggies
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
Directions:
Add fruits and veggies in a blender. First, run the blender at high speed to get a thick puree then add almond milk to get the desired texture and thickness.
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The Histories Of Blenders And Food Processors
Many people think that the blender was invented after the food processor as a spin-off. Not so, the blender preceded the food processor.
It was first designed back in 1922 by Stephen Poplawski, a Pole who emigrated to the US in 1894. The first industrial food processor was developed in 1964, but in 1973 when the first domestic processor the Cuisinart was first introduced in North America.
Okay, now lets get back to the main event can you use a food processor to make smoothies?
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There Is No Right Or Wrong Way To Make A Smoothie
These are “recipes” in a very loose sense of the world. They’ll give you a great place to start, but don’t feel like you need to stick with them to make a delicious tasting smoothie. I do very little measuring when I make my daily smoothie and often will just throw in what I have on hand. If you are working with frozen fruit, you probably won’t need ice. But if you are using fresh fruit, throw in some ice. A super cold smoothie is best if you ask me. If the smoothie is too thick or not blending well, add more milk.