How Do You Make A Good Fruit Smoothie

What Should I Put In My Smoothie

The great thing about a fruit smoothie recipe is that the customization opportunities are virtually endless. Heres a quick run through of what I usually put in my smoothies:

• Milk or Juice: you can use dairy milk, non-dairy milk, juice, or even coconut water really any liquid goes! You can even use cold tea.
• Greek Yogurt: yogurt is a great way to kick the protein up a notch and to make a deliciously thick and creamy texture. Dairy-free, plant-based yogurt works well, too, and you can skip it if you need .
• Banana: I love to keep frozen, sliced banana on-hand. The frozen banana makes it extra creamy and acts as a natural sweetener.
• Berries/Other Fruit: any frozen fruit work great in smoothies! Pineapple, mango, and berries are our favorites. You can even use watermelon like in this refreshing Watermelon Smoothie!
• Add-Ins: you can customize it with so many different add-ins. Protein powders, nuts or seeds, oats, extracts, sweeteners, even avocado!

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.

Recommended Tools For Making Smoothies

• Blender. I more recently purchased this high-powered blender, and it makes everything very smooth and creamy. This more economical blender optionis also great, though you may need to add more liquid or add the frozen fruit more slowly.
• Stainless Steel Straws. These stainless steel strawsmake everything you drink through them taste so refreshing. I try to keep some in my purse, so I dont need to ask for a plastic or paper straw when Im out. Theyre great for taking smoothies to go as well.
• Opaque Cup. A great way to make green-colored breakfast smoothies for kids.

Now, lets get to those healthy breakfast smoothies!

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Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

Classic strawberry banana smoothies are the BEST especially when it comes to these hot summer months.

Its great first thing in the morning for a breakfast on-the-go. Or as a snack after a good workout. There is just nothing quite as refreshing as blended up fresh fruit with a touch of yogurt and milk.

And honestly, it reminds me of a longtime childhood favorite of mine strawberry milk.

This healthy drink is FULL of fresh strawberry and banana flavor. It is also ultra creamy, and super easy to whip up.

Im talking5 minutes flat from start to finish of blending together ingredients.

How To Make A Strawberry Smoothie

This is why I love to make smoothies, all you have to do is put all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Thats it. You might have to make minor adjustments to accommodate the thickness of the frozen smoothie.

This is a thick smoothie, so feel free to add more milk or water to make it thinner if necessary. Also because it is so thick, some blenders may have hard time, if this is the case try leaving out the ice and/or adding some liquid. I use a BlendTec Blender, which works great and can handle almost everything I throw at it. For a less expensive option, I highly recommend this KitchenAid Blender.

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How To Make Fruit Smoothies With Frozen Fruit

You will not have to worry about the Dole frozen fruit smoothie nutrition because these fruits are premium-grade and are healthy. There are many more ways you can get creative with making smoothies.

The Dole brand has a variety of fruits you can choose from. You can check out alternate versions that have been included in this discussion and attempt each recipe as you wish.

This particular recipe contains pineapple juice, strawberries, and blueberries. Any recipe with berries turns out to be so delicious you would always want to have more.

So, here is the recipe that you can follow and make a really good smoothie using berries.

Three Vegetable Smoothie Recipes

One of my nutrition goals is to make sure to fuel my body with nutritiously dense foods.

One of my favorite ways to get in some quick, easy, and healthy nutrition is with smoothies! I know adding vegetables to smoothies can still be a little taboo for some, so I wanted to create 3 veggie-packed smoothie recipes for beginners.

First of all, I promise you cant taste the veggies, and you wont even know that theyre there.

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Substitutions For Fruit Smoothie

Fruit Mixing in some pineapple or strawberries would be delicious in this fruit smoothie. If you love strawberries, check out our Strawberry Smoothie!

Yogurt Nonfat greek yogurt is a great way to add protein and richness to smoothies for a low amount of calories. You can substitute with dairy free yogurt or full fat yogurt. You can also skip the yogurt, but may need a little bit more milk.

Milk Any milk will work in this recipe. Almond, Dairy, or other non dairy milks will all work.

Protein Powder Protein powder isnt necessary but it is recommended for this recipe. The added protein will help keep you full, rather than this just being blended fruit . Any protein powder will work. We like this protein powder best.

Frozen Fruit You can substitute frozen fruit for fresh fruit. Substitute 1:1. Frozen fruit will result in a thicker smoothie. Fresh fruit will result in a thinner smoothie

Other Add Ins Feel free to add in other nuts or seeds to this recipe. Chia or flax seeds would make a great addition!

Greens We love to add a handful of spinach or kale to this recipe. You cant taste it and its delicious. You could also try this Healthy Green Smoothie, Apple Kale Green Smoothie, or Immunity Smoothie

Frozen Cauliflower: Frozen cauliflower is relatively tasteless and helps thicken smoothies. Its also a great way to add in sneaky veggies. 1/4 cup cauliflower rice will blend nicely in this recipe.

What Fruit Mixes Well With Mango

Mangoes are a team playerthey go with almost anything! Since they intensify the flavor of other tropical fruits, try coconut, papaya or pineapple. In my opinion, melons, berries, peaches and bananas are also a good choice.

As for the liquid, apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice or mango nectar are all good options.

If youd like to amp up the health of your smoothie, try adding in flax seeds, chia seeds or protein powder. Here are ingredients that can add more protein to your smoothies, too.

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Why You Should Make This Banana Smoothie

Ive made a version of this easy banana smoothie recipe more times than I can count. Its perfect on its own and is the best base recipe for adding more ingredients like fruit, nut butter, and veggies.

Here are a few more reasons we love it:

• You need less than 5 minutes to make it.
• You can use fresh or frozen bananas.
• Its easy to adapt to what you have in the kitchen.
• This smoothie is perfect for breakfast or a snack.
• You can even make the smoothie ahead of time, freeze it, and save it for later.

Can You Use Frozen Fruit In Smoothies

Its essential that you use enough frozen fruit in your smoothie to make it perfectly creamy. Not enough and youll end up with more of a liquid drink instead of a thick slushy consistency. You can either buy the already frozen fruit at your grocery store or freeze fresh fruit that you have cut into 1-2 inch pieces.

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How Can You Make A Creamier Smoothie

Try to add avocado because its ideal for adding creaminess to your smoothie. Avocados mild flavor counterfeits its nutritional wallop. As an alternative, you can add frozen yogurt, ice cream, or vanilla yogurt for more creaminess. Achieving the right texture smoothies needs a good blend of liquid and solid ingredients.

Water Or Other Liquid

Last, but definitely not least, is water. You can use plain water, or try coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, or any other liquid base of your choice.

Like with the other green smoothie ingredients, you can also use a combination of liquids as long as it totals two cups.

If youre really into smoothies and would like a copy of the 5 best smoothie recipes here on 100 Days of Real Food, you can grab it from our Free Membership Area !

Lisa Leake

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Can This Fruit Smoothie Be Stored For Later

We wouldnt recommend making this smoothie and storing for later. It will last for a couple hours in a glass, but it will start to separate.

This smoothie is best to drink fresh!

Can this fruit smoothie recipe be made in bulk? You can double or triple this recipe if youd like. However I wouldnt recommend making this smoothie and storing it for later. Its best to make it fresh and enjoy!

How To Make A Perfect Smoothie

You want to know how to make a smoothieand not just any smoothie. One that rivals those perfectly creamy ones that your favorite health food store or juice bar charges upwards of $10 a pop for. Well, look no further, because we have everything you need to know about how to make the tastiest smoothie youve ever had, and how to adjust the ingredients based on your favorite flavors, textures, nutrition goalsoh, and foods you already have in your kitchen. On top of that, we have the gear guide youll need to choose the best smoothie maker or blender to make all your wildest smoothie dreams come true. With a little know-how and the right tools, youll be surprised at how easy it is to make next-level smoothies in your own kitchen.

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May Help Boost Fruit And Vegetable Intake

Smoothies made primarily from fresh or frozen produce may increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables, which provide a diverse array of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

Together, these nutrients may reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and lower your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, and age-related mental decline .

The World Health Organization recommends that adults eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. However, most people fall short of this mark .

If you find youre not eating enough fruits or veggies, a smoothie can be a delicious way to pack in 23 more servings.

Is It Better To Make Smoothies With Milk Or Water

When it comes to making smoothies, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your personal preferences and what you are looking to get out of your smoothie. If you are looking for a thick and creamy smoothie, then milk will be your best bet. Milk will also add some extra protein and calcium to your smoothie. If you are looking for a lighter smoothie, then water is the way to go. You can also experiment with adding different types of milk or even juice instead of water to change up the flavor and consistency of your smoothie.

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Best Blender For Smoothies

Now that you have all of your smoothie ingredients prepped and ready to go, its time to blend them up! But how?

The answer? With power.

The best blenders for smoothies are capable of completely mixing up all of the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.

Here is a list of the best blenders for making fruit smoothies:

• Nutribullet A great individual-sized blender option. The larger cup will need to be used in order to not pass the max fill line once blended.
• Ninja Blender is also another great choice!

Our Favorite Fruit & Veggies

* = produce that can be found locally-grown in Pennsylvania!

Avocado: Packed with vitamins K, C, E, B5, B6, folate and more potassium than a banana, plus healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, this is a powerhouse smoothie ingredient.

Pro tip: Sneak a bit into kids smoothies and theyll never know!

Bananas: High in fiber and potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, riboflavin and B6. Support digestion and help in building up metabolism. Due to the high iron content in bananas, they are great for those suffering from anemia.

Pro tip: Freeze slices of banana to add amazing creaminess to smoothies.

*Blueberries: Pair perfectly with spinach, a little almond butter and some cocoa powder. With a nice dose of antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber, theyre one of the best fruits you could choose for your smoothies.

Pro tip: Wild frozen blueberries are a great alternative when fresh berries arent in season.

*Blackberries: Higher in antioxidants than blueberries, high in fiber and vitamin C and low in sugar, blackberries bring a rich purple hue to your smoothies.

Pro tip: Not a great choice if you dont like seeds in your smoothies.

*Cauliflower: Yes, really! Turn to cauliflower for a creamy smoothie boost with the added benefits of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Plus, unlike a frozen banana cauliflower adds heft to your smoothie without adding much sugar.

Pro tip: Make sure you steam your cauliflower before you freeze it!

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How To Make A Smoothie Bowl

If you like to eat your smoothie with a spoon instead of a straw, put it in a bowl and keep it thick.

The key to any smoothie bowl is a little amount of water, and either avocado or a clean protein powder in there to thicken it up, says Adler. Ice is great, but keep the water or liquid to ¼ cup at most! You’ll need a powerful blender to make this happen.

Many people add whole berries or cut fruit on top of their smoothie bowls and then sprinkle them with chia seeds or chopped nuts. Adler recommends her recipe for a Green Smoothie Bowl, a hearty smoothie that can stand-in as a meal.

How Can I Make My Smoothie Healthier

The smoothie recipes below are plain, but if you want to expand your smoothie horizons, go for it! Toss in chia seeds or protein powder or hemp seeds or flax or whatever else makes your heart happy. If you have a standard set of mix-ins you like, you can even freeze them into booster packsgreat for really quick and easy smoothies!

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List Of Healthy Superfoods:

• Kale insanely low in calories, powerful anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, and helpful for arthritis and autoimmune diseases
• Spinach the beauty of spinach lies in how easy it is to disguise the taste. Its mild tasting yet packed with vitamins, has anti-cancerous properties, and is one of the healthiest foods on the planet
• Blueberriesâ one of the highest antioxidant capacities of all fruit which helps to combat free radicals in your body
• Strawberriesâ just one serving provides more vitamin c than an orange while being low in natural sugars
• Greek Yogurtâ double the protein and half the carbs as regular yogurt
• Cucumber since its 95% water, its an incredible detoxifier and helps with liver and kidney function
• Lemon one of the most important items to stock in your kitchen as its a highly effective cleansing agent and cuts through the bitterness of greens
• Banana an essential in smoothies as it adds creaminess, a touch of sweetness, and helps you feel full longer plus, its rich in potassium and fiber and gives you natural energy
• Turmericâ anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties
• Gingerâ aids in digestion and supports the immune system
• Chia + Flaxseedsâ rich is Omega-3 and fiber benefits

If you are looking to add fruit and vegetable JUICE recipes to your diet as well, .

For extra detoxification benefits, a lemon turmeric flush first thing in the morning will do the trick. This isnât for the faint of heart. Itâs super simple.

Protein And Other Powders Sweeteners & More Extras

Any optional ingredients come next. This can include:

Nut or seed butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, soy butter, and sunflower seed butter are all delicious additionsand they add protein to help curb your appetite.

Powders. A scoop of protein powder or a nutrition boosting powder can be a great addition to almost any smoothie, and beneficial if youre looking to add more protein into your diet. Adler cautions though, that many protein powders contain artificial ingredients and recommends instead, sticking with clean and pure powders. You want your protein powder to have one to three ingredients, max, and no flavors, she says. Be careful of soy powders, generic whey brands, and ones with long ingredient lists of things you can’t pronounce!

Sweetener. To sweeten naturally, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. But be sure to taste your smoothie before you add sugar, as you may not need it if youve used sweet, ripe fruit, such as frozen mango, banana, or blueberries.

Texture or crunch.A sprinkle of cocoa nibs or chia seeds can give your smoothie a fun crunch to it, and added minerals and good healthy fats! says Adler. Cashews add the perfect amount of creaminess and satisfying feel, without being overly nutty tasting.

Seasonings and spices. Some people love to add a sprinkle of cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla bean powder, or turmeric for an extra kick to their smoothie.

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