Best Blender For Smoothies
First things first, lets talk about the blender situation. I know there are hundreds of blenders on the market and it can be very daunting to find the right one for you. One thing I have learned with the handful of blenders that Ive owned is that quality matters. Usually, quality and price coincide and its totally true.
Ive found that the more expensive and higher quality blender I have, the more success I have with what I am makingespecially smoothies. The most recent and BEST blender I have ever had is a Vitamix.
We have the Vitamix 5200and it runs you about $430 on Amazon. I do not have a single bad thing to say about this beast. Its super powerful, easy to clean, and it makes making smoothies along with other things a breeze. I can tell you right now that this is the best blender I have ever owned and theres no turning back.
Tim Hortons Real Fruit Smoothies
These smoothies are low in fat and count as a full serving of fruit, but they dont contain any fibre because the fruit flavour is made up of fruit purée and juice concentrates, not whole fruits. As well, all flavours contain three added sugars: glucose-fructose , glucose and molasses.
The culprit: Mixed Berry Fruit Smoothie with Yogurt, 18 oz size This smoothie has 290 calories and 67 g of carbohydrates, mostly from 60 g of sugar. While the yogurt does contribute 5 g of protein, the calories and sugar content is too high for a snack, which should be about 150 calories. As well, this smoothie only provides 8 percent of your daily value of vitamin C.
What to order instead: Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie with yogurt, 10 oz size Your best choice at 150 calories, it is the right size for a snack. It also has a lower carbohydrate count of 34 g and contains 2 g of protein. This smoothie gives you 35 percent of your daily value of vitamin C.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Smoothies
Smoothies can be a great way to help squeeze a few extra servings of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
Studies show that eating more fruits and vegetables may be linked to a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death .
Drinking smoothies can also easily bump up your intake of fiber, an important nutrient that maintains digestive health, promotes regularity, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and supports weight management .
Some also contain high protein ingredients like protein powder, which may be especially beneficial if youre trying to lose weight or maintain a moderate weight .
Finally, smoothies are convenient, require minimal preparation, and are easy to adapt to your personal needs and preferences.
For more on the potential benefits of drinking smoothies and a few tips to make them healthier, check out this article.
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What Makes Some Smoothie Options Unhealthy
Even Moon admits it is no easy feat to pick the best store-bought smoothies: “Honestly, most of what you find on grocery shelves includes a lot of filler juices, and it’s challenging to find smart options.”
Sugar, in particular, can be a big concern when selecting a bottled smoothie.
“While smoothies can usually be a great way to get in nutritious micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, the main distinguisher here is sugar content,” states Rachel Fine, MS, RD, CSSD, registered dietitian, and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition.
“Many bottled smoothies contain a heaping dose of sugar . While we definitely want to reduce the overall consumption of added sugar throughout our day, a large dose of sugar can lead to blood glucose spikes soon after consumption.”
Noka Organic Sweet Potato/goji Superfood Smoothie
“These 4.2-ounce Noka pouches have wholesome ingredients like actual sweet potato, dates, flaxseed, goji and cinnamon, to name a few. You get an excellent source of iron , a good source of potassium , a respectable two grams of fiber and five grams of plant protein, all for 110 calories, 11 grams of total sugars and zero added sugars,” says Moon. “These don’t need refrigeration, so they’re great to keep on hand for when I’m rushing from work straight to a dance class and need a small snack that won’t weigh me down or ruin dinner.”
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What Is The Healthiest Smoothie At Tropical Smoothie
When it comes to your smoothie options at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the Island Green Detox Smoothie has the lowest sugar content at just 29 grams and is one of the healthiest drinks you can order. Plus, it manages to pack all of your healthy essentials without tasting too bitter or green.
How many calories is a lean machine smoothie?
There are 170 calories in 1 smoothie . Calorie breakdown: 5% fat, 91% carbs, 4% protein.
Smoothie Recipes To Try
Use these recipes or build from them to create your own.
Banana-kale wake-up smoothie
The sweetness of the bananas balances kales slight bitterness in this recipe. Use just a tiny pinch of cloves theyre potent!
Get the banana-kale wake-up smoothie recipe.
Ruby-red raspberry smoothie
Its nutty. Its sweet. And its good for you. Blast off your day with healthy fats, antioxidants and phytonutrients from this creamy creation.
Get the ruby-red raspberry smoothie recipe.
Creamy kiwi-lime smoothie
You would never guess this creamy, high-protein smoothie gets its texture from tofu and cashew butter. Hey, dont knock it till you try it!
Go green smoothie bowl
Ready to trade in the smoothie glass for a bowl and spoon? In this bowl, the leafy green goodness of spinach meets the sweetness of grapes, mango, apple and banana.
Get the go green smoothie bowl recipe.
Cool tropical smoothie
Youll feel like youre on the beach with this zesty blend of mango, coconut, lime and strawberries. This vegan smoothie is high in potassium and features beneficial phytonutrients.
Get the cool tropical smoothie recipe.
Creamy strawberry and greens smoothie
This satisfying smoothie is sweetened with strawberries, creamified with avocado and then exalted to green goddess status with arugula.
Get the creamy strawberry and greens smoothie recipe.
Peach-vanilla yogurt smoothie
Get the peach-vanilla yogurt smoothie recipe.
Berry vanilla banana smoothie
Get the berry vanilla banana smoothie recipe.
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Nutty & Chocolatey Weight Loss Smoothies
Have you ever heard of the “health halo”? It’s a term nutrition experts use to describe foods that use a healthy-sounding word like natural on their labels, or add ingredients that people think of as good for you , but which are really junk at heart.
These smoothies are the reverse of that theory. These drinks are tremendously nutritiousâpacked with as much, or more, fiber, protein, and healthy fats as any other drinks in the whole book. But they seem like they’re bad for you. How can drinks that seem like they came right from the ice cream shop flatten your belly so effectively?
These are the drinks you’ll whip up on a night when you want something to satisfy your ice cream jones. They’re the recipes you’ll lean on when your kids are complaining that they want something sweet for dessert. And they’re the drinks you’ll use to reward yourself after a hard day at work or in the gym. Deep, comforting, and delicious, these filling smoothies taste more like dessert than what they really areâpowerful weight-loss weapons, compliments of the new book, Zero Belly Smoothies.
All recipes make one serving.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
This recipe turns a fattening dessert treat into a healthier, less guilt-inducing drink. Although its hard to mimic the real thing, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla almond milk and the frozen banana help form a chocolatey mixture, while the peanut butter adds fat and flavor. For even more of a peanut butter punch, you can also add a scoop of peanut butter powder.
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The Healthiest Smoothie Ever
Chocolate Smoothies, Fun Smoothies, Superfood Smoothies
Im making a bold claim with the title of this smoothie, but hear me out.
In my quest to have the best day ever, the alchemist in me came out as I threw every superfood in my kitchen into the blender. The result, a delicious, creamy, and outrageously healthy superfood smoothie.
Obviously, the healthiest smoothie ever is subjective and will vary from person to person depending on your physiology and bio-individuality. But, if you make this smoothie with at least half of the ingredients it calls for, theres a good chance it will rank near the top of your all-time healthiest smoothies list maybe even number one.
Superfoods are a quick and easy way to really boost the nutrition of your smoothies. I consider a food super if it contains high amounts of several different vitamins or minerals and confers a half dozen or more health benefits. Take goji berries for example.
As you can imagine, combining several or more superfoods into one smoothie results in some serious nutrition.
One thing Ive yet to encounter when mixing and matching the various superfoods, a smoothie that doesnt taste great. Superfoods really do compliment each other nicely.
Oh yeah, I did have the best day ever after guzzling this smoothie down for breakfast. Enjoy!
How Can I Interest My Kids In Healthy Smoothies
The biggest way to get kids on board with anything is to make it fun and involve them!
- Set up a smoothie bar: Let your kids help with selecting what ingredients go into the smoothies, and also choosing fun and healthy toppings, like chia seeds, flax meal, sliced almonds, and fresh fruit! They will be more likely to try it if its their creation!
- Play smoothie shop: On weekend mornings, or whenever you have time. Play smoothie shop with your kids! Let them take your order, and help make the smoothies as much as they are able to, by age.
- Ask for their help in the kitchen!: Kids are amazing helpers, especially in the kitchen! They are naturally curious, and love to spend time together. Nurture this, and show them all of your favorite healthy cooking tips!
- Work in your garden/ get groceries as a family: My daughter has always loved helping in the garden. Its a great time to discuss our food and where it comes from! If you arent able to take your little ones to the grocery store, let them help you compile the grocery list.
- Read about fruits and veggies: There are tons of childrens books on about fruits, veggies, farming, and eating healthy!
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The Secret To Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
The formula for a healthy smoothie needs to have one ingredient of each of these categories:
- protein
- healthy carbohydrate
- fiber in the form of fruit and vegetable
Many delicious smoothies are all fruit and thus high in sugar and carbs and not very healthy at all.
On the other hand, many healthy smoothies are all veggies and powdered superfoods and not yummy at all, plus, super expensive.
So how can we achieve the best of both worlds? Healthy AND yummy breakfast smoothies at the same time?
Its much simpler than you think. Just follow the formula and youll nourish your body through and through. No need for expensive superfoods, unless you love them in your smoothies of course 🙂
The 4 Worst Bottled Smoothies
What bottled smoothies to avoid? “Everything else. Just kidding. It’s hard to pick just one to avoid because so many bottled smoothies are full of filler juices,” concedes Moon. Below, smoothies that may seem misleadingly healthy but are actually loaded with sugar, empty calories, and more non-nutritious fillers.
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Dark Chocolate Banana Nut
If you want your weight loss smoothies to taste like dessert, this recipe should be your go-to. Four words that combine to sound like a jam session at Ben & Jerry’s house. The density of the banana will have you convinced you’re drinking a milkshake, while the omega-3s in the walnuts will keep your mind sharp and your belly lean.
- ½ banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- â cup plant-based chocolate protein powder
- Water to blend
NUTRITION: 280 calories / 3 g fat / 31 g carbs / 7 g fiber / 9 g sugar / 31 g protein”
What Is The Best Way To Make A Smoothie
Learn how to make a smoothie like a total pro then get ready to mix up a tasty breakfast or snack that’s good for you, too. Our Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab also tested the best blenders for whipping up the smoothest, creamiest drinks. To make smoothies ahead of time, stash your dry ingredients in the freezer infreezer-safe bags or food storage containers. In the morning, just add your liquid to the blender, followed by the frozen dry ingredients and blend. Breakfast in 5 minutes? Easy!
Get the Coffee Banana Smoothie recipe from Little Broken.
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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
- Blueberries – one of the highest antioxidant capacities of all fruit which helps to combat free radicals in your body
- Strawberries – just one serving provides more vitamin c than an orange while being low in natural sugars
- Greek Yogurt – 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
- Turmeric – anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties
- Ginger – aids in digestion and supports the immune system
- Chia + Flaxseeds – 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 isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s super simple.
Tropical Papaya Perfection Smoothie
This coconut-infused breakfast smoothie tastes just as decadent as a milkshake. One sip will immediately transport you to a tropical island.
Cut 1 papaya into chunks and blend it with 1 cup of fat-free, plain yogurt, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup crushed ice, 1 tsp. coconut extract, and 1 tsp. ground flaxseed. Process the mixture for about 30 seconds, or until its smooth and frosty.
Nutrition: 299 cal, 13 g pro, 64 g carb, 7 g fiber, 44 g sugars, 1.5 g fat
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Fantastic Healthy Smoothie Ingredients And Add
May 27, 2020
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Smoothies have become popular as breakfast alternatives or as something to enjoy during the day. Theyre not just indulgent treats either. When made well, a smoothie can be a powerful source of nutrients. Choosing healthy smoothie ingredients and add-ins plays a large role in how good your smoothie ends up being.
So, in this list, were highlighting some of the best ingredients that you can turn to. These have various advantages. Some of them contain antioxidants and phytonutrients, which may help to improve your health in a variety of ways.
Others are perhaps more mundane, acting as sources of important nutrients like protein and fiber, or simply changing the texture of your smoothie. There are many options to choose from, so your smoothies dont need to be the same every day. Instead, you can change them regularly to create delicious drinks with exciting flavor profiles.
One final note before we dive in. There is no single definition for healthy foods versus unhealthy ones. People vary in their opinions, especially when it comes to ingredients that are high in fat versus those that are high in carbs.
So, use your own discretion when looking at this list. Use your own diet and food preferences as a guide to which smoothie additions will be healthy for you.
- Green And Red Powders
High Intensity Workout Veggie Mango
This tasty green smoothie is made with spinach, mango, almonds, and bananas all of which can easily fit into a paleo diet.
It also contains FITAID + Paleo Protein Enhancer, which is used to bump up the amount of protein, B vitamins, and vitamins C and E in your smoothie .
A 20-ounce serving provides 400 calories, 29 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber. It also contains 41 mg of caffeine to increase your energy levels .
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Smoothie Recipes: How To Make Healthy Options At Home
The concept of a smoothie is straightforward throw some fruits and veggies in a blender, add a liquid and toss in some ice. Sounds healthy, right? Not always. What started as a cold concoction for health food connoisseurs has now evolved into a mainstream meal replacement option with endless ingredients, many of which can add unnecessary calories to your diet. Heres what you need to know about smoothies, including what to include to make them healthy and which ingredients to leave out.
Are Smoothies Healthy We Asked Nutritionists
Stocksy
In This Article
Whether youre looking for a balanced breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a late-night treat, smoothies might cross your mind. And hey, we dont blame youdepending on what you put in them, they can be both super-filling and incredibly tasty. But just because they curb your appetite and sweet tooth doesnt necessarily mean theyre good for you.
To learn what makes a smoothie actually worth adding to your routine, keep reading for what three nutrition experts have to say on the subject.
Meet the Expert
- Kelly LeVeque is a holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, and celebrity health coach.
- Jennifer Maeng is a registered dietitian and founder of Chelsea Nutrition.
- Anna Mitsios is a naturopath, nutritionist, and founder of Edible Beauty Australia.
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