DrinksDelicious Homemade Smoothies: Simple And Smart Snacks
More and more people these days prefer making homemade smoothies for their meals or quick snacks. The main reasons being smoothies taste great, they are highly nutritious, and they are very quick and convenient to prepare. Another important factor why many parents are turning into making smoothies is that it makes it easier for them to get their kids to consume veggies. A glass of a fruit smoothie with some veggie ingredients thrown in is a quick way for getting essential nutrients growing bodies need. Ҡ
First, let"s start with smoothie basics. Smoothies are basically a blend of fruits, vegetables and a liquid base such as milk, juice or yogurt. You can actually incorporate just about anything you prefer or need. The most commonly used fruits in making smoothies are bananas, berries, apples and pineapples. You can incorporate any kind of vegetable into your homemade smoothie. A lot of people favor spinach, carrots, cucumber and broccoli in their smoothies. But you can put pretty much any vegetable that appeals to you.
You can definitely practice your creativity and develop your taste by making smoothies. If you"re a total novice in the art of making smoothies, you can start with simple ingredients first. Try blending one medium sized banana, a pack of frozen berries, one cup of low fat milk or soy milk, and one cup of vanilla yogurt for a fast and healthy snack. Then you can start adding other ingredients such as vegetables, nuts or natural supplements depending on your taste or objectives.
Homemade smoothies are definitely better than prepackaged ones because freshly made drinks retain the highest nutrient level. Prepackaged smoothie drinks have to undergo several processes to prolong shelf life. While they are still healthy, they are not as healthy as the drinks you make at home. One important tip when making smoothies: you should consume them within 15 minutes so that you will get the maximum nutritional benefits. The reason being, nutrients lose their benefits when exposed to air and light.
Fresh fruit and veggie smoothies also have a high concentration of fibers and enzymes that promote better digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body. There is a multitude of health benefits from drinking homemade smoothies on a regular basis that include, easier weight loss, detoxifying the system, improving skin and nails, improving mental clarity, and so much more.
There are many enjoyable ways to make smoothies. The only limit is your imagination. If you"re looking for healthy smoothie recipes to include in your diet, I recommend this book called Sensational Smoothies: Drink Your Way To Health Deliciously. You can find over 180 nutritious and delicious recipes fro smoothies in this amazing collection. Check it out here: http://www.sensationalsmoothies.com