Healthy Smoothies: Delicious Drink Rediscovered

Like most people, you will be amazed to learn that smoothies have been around since the late 1930’s when the Waring Blender was invented. A blender, of course, is essential in making the smooth, thick fruit blend called a smoothie. Traditionally, smoothies contain fruit, fruit juice and ice. Today, smoothies can contain additional ingredients such as yogurt, milk, soy milk, ice cream and nutritional supplements.

In recent years, smoothies have been in the limelight because of their reputation as a healthy drink. Smoothies allow you to consume the whole fruit, including the pulp. The pulp is a good source of dietary fiber and promotes digestive health. The fiber in the pulp helps make the drink thicker and more filling.

Adults and kids can make homemade smoothies for breakfast or as a snack. It’s a great way to make a nutritious drink that is delicious and satisfying. You can make a smoothie out of your favorite fruit or whatever is available. Milk or yogurt can be added if you want a creamier drink. If you are concerned about fat content, use soy milk, rice milk, or low-fat milk products. To sweeten your drink, you can add honey or stevia.

Making smoothies is a fun way to get kids involved in concocting a healthy drink. Allow your kids to choose the ingredients and let them help in the preparation. Smoothies are versatile and you can add literally anything you like. Aside from fruits in season, you can also include vegetables. Imagine being able to sneak a few veggies into a fruit smoothie. Spinach, carrots, cucumber, pumpkin and broccoli are a few tried-and-tested choices.

You can add chocolate, vanilla and even coffee into a fruit smoothie. Most people, though, prefer to add healthy ingredients such as protein powder, vitamins and other nutritional supplements.

Smoothie bars can be found across the country and smoothies are now available in many restaurants and juice bars. These health drinks come in every flavor and variety. Pre-bottled smoothies have made their way into grocery stores and you will find numerous websites and books offering recipes for home-made smoothies.

Smoothies appeal to people of all ages because of their fresh fruit flavor, sweetness and high nutritional value. They are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fiber. Vegans can even prepare a “green smoothie” containing spinach, lettuce, kale, and other leafy green vegetables.