Veggie smoothies are a healthy alternative to meals or snacks, containing mixed greens and fruit. They use all edible parts of fruits and vegetables, providing more nutrients and fiber than vegetable juice. Smoothies can include a variety of ingredients and supplements, and are easy to make at home.
A veggie smoothie is a blended drink that contains varying amounts of mixed greens that are usually accompanied by fruit. Smoothies of this type are often employed by those looking for a healthy alternative to meals or as a quick snack. Almost any type of greens can be added to a veggie smoothie. Common ingredients tend to be carrots, celery, mixed greens, and even kale.
Vegetable juice is a different drink and is made by extracting certain parts of fruits and vegetables and leaving the rest out of the blend. A smoothie uses all the edible parts of fruits and vegetables, leading many experts to state that drinking a veggie smoothie is more beneficial than drinking juice alone due to the extra nutrients found in the skins of fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. By using the whole vegetable, smoothie drinkers consume more pulp and fiber.
Green-based smoothies don’t necessarily exclude other types of ingredients. In fact, most veggie smoothies start with a fruit base. An apple or banana is typically added to the base to act as a thickening agent, giving the smoothie a thick, milkshake-like texture. Pineapples and strawberries are common additions to vegetable smoothies and act as natural sweeteners. Mangoes, pomegranates, oranges, raspberries and blueberries are also common ingredients in vegetable smoothies.
Vegetable smoothies offer great versatility when it comes to adding nutrients. Individuals who wish to increase the amount of a certain nutrient in their diet can easily add the desired fruit, vegetable or grain into their smoothie mix. Because of the different textures, thicknesses, and flavors of a smoothie, supplements like protein powders are rarely noticed.
Other additions to veggie smoothies include dairy products like yogurt, milk, and ice cream. These ingredients aren’t needed in a veggie smoothie, but they add some nutrients not found in fruits and vegetables and can impart a smooth, creamy texture that makes smoothies easier to consume. Soy milk and green tea are common dairy alternatives that are often used by vegetarians and vegans who have eliminated dairy products from their diets.
Recipes for vegetarian smoothies are numerous, and a number of smoothie recipes that focus on a specific set of ingredients, such as the green vegetables used in green smoothies, have become popular. A veggie smoothie is easy to make at home as it simply requires a blender and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. This ease of preparation makes these smoothies popular with health-conscious people who want to maintain a healthy diet that can be prepared at home.
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