Smoothies are a healthy drink made by blending fruit, vegetables, liquid, and ice. They can include protein powder and wheat germ for added nutrition. Fruits, vegetables, and liquids like fruit juice, milk, or buttermilk are common ingredients. Smoothie mixes are also available.
A smoothie is a drink made by mixing a combination of ingredients, most often fruit, vegetables, a liquid and some ice. The result is similar to a smoothie, except it’s meant to be healthier than most smoothies and is often consumed as a quick breakfast drink. Other ingredients, such as protein powder and wheat germ, don’t necessarily affect the flavor or texture, but the nutritional value of the shake.
Pulpy fruits that break down into small pieces in a food processor or blender are often used as smoothie ingredients. Common fruit options range from berries, bananas and apricots to tropical fruits like pineapples and papayas. Watermelons, cantaloupes, and other melons with a high water content allow you to use less liquid to create a smoothie. Apples, peaches, plums and pears are fruit options that may require grating the fruit pulp before adding it to the blender.
Greens are less common smoothie ingredients, but those that contain a high percentage of water are suitable for inclusion in smoothie recipes. Avocados, spinach and tomatoes blend easily with other smoothie ingredients. You can also incorporate peppers, carrots and celery into a vegetable smoothie mix by chopping or grating them before adding. Seeded lettuce, radishes and cucumbers can also be used.
Fruit juice is one of the most common liquids used in a smoothie. Other choices include regular milk, soy or almond milk, and buttermilk, all of which help create a creamy smoothie texture. When making a smoothie with vegetables, the flavor profile of the vegetables determines the choice of liquid. Buttermilk and vegetable juices such as carrot, celery or beetroot tend to complement the flavors of vegetables often found in smoothies.
In addition to combining fruits, vegetables and liquids, the nutrition of the main ingredients can be supplemented in various ways. Yogurt is a common choice. It increases the protein, vitamin and mineral content of a smoothie and also helps make the drink creamy. Protein powder, wheatgrass powder or juice, and wheat germ are other nutritional enhancements you can use as ingredients for smoothies.
Smoothie mixes, available in retail outlets, reduce total preparation time and allow you to prepare smoothies with a consistent level of desired nutrition. You can select fruit or vegetable flavored blends. In some cases, you prepare a smoothie mix with just water as the liquid, because the powdered smoothie mix already contains juice, milk, or yogurt that will be reconstituted by the water.
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