Healthy Summer Smoothies That Taste Great

Photo credit: Dicemanic (Flickr: Milkshake) CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

You already know the delicious, frosty, sweetness of a fruit smoothie, but you pass it up because you don’t want to undo all the hard work you’ve done to lose weight and keep your calories under control. Healthy smoothies don’t always taste good. Wouldn’t it be great to have the best of both worlds? You can have a delicious smoothie that is also good for you if you mix the right ingredients. You can’t go wrong with fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and berries blended to a smooth, cold, refreshing drink. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your favorite healthy smoothie.

Strawberries and bananas always go well together. The sweet tangy flavor of the strawberry is complimented by the delicious smoothness of the banana. You won’t have to add any sugar to enjoy a sweet treat if you combine these two fruits. Fill your blender with one banana, one cup of ice, a cup of 1 percent or low-fat milk, half a dozen sliced strawberries and top it off with a few tablespoons of low-fat plain yogurt. Blend until all the ingredients are mixed to a smooth texture. Pour it in a tall glass and enjoy!

Berry lovers will really enjoy a mixed berry smoothie made from blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Blend with ice, low-fat yogurt, some spinach leaves and 1 percent milk for a low-calorie, high fiber, vitamin packed super drink. Mix different berries and try different combinations of berries until you find just the right combination to stimulate your taste buds and satisfy your berry craving.

If you are concerned about getting enough protein from your smoothie, you may consider adding a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or your favorite protein or whole food powder to your smoothie mixture. Use all natural or organic peanut or almond butter, if you can find it. Of course, if you have nut allergies, you should not use any product that contains peanuts. Opt instead for fruits and vegetables that are higher in protein, such as watercress or apricots, currants or prunes. These fruits and vegetables add additional fiber to your diet as well as protein.

A healthy smoothie made with fresh fruits and low-fat yogurt is delicious as is, or you can add a few of your favorite veggies to punch up the vitamins and minerals. Add the juice of some raw carrots and celery for extra fiber and vitamins without adding too many calories. Carrots, spinach leaves, and celery will enhance the flavor of the fruits without overpowering them.