Sweet Escape
Tastes like: A creamy, slightly sweet fruit smoothie with just a hint of nut.
Benefits: "This smoothie is screaming with potassium provided by the banana and the coconut water," says nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN, owner of Better Than Dieting. "The nuts add fiber, protein and healthy fat to help keep you satisfied. Berries are low in calories and so tasty, and leafy greens supply iron and folic acid."
Create your own:
2-3 cups leafy greens, like kale, collard greens, chard or romaine
1 cup of frozen mixed berries
1/2 banana
1/2 teaspoon citrus zest
Squeeze of citrus juice
2 tablespoons raw almonds or walnuts
1 cup of coconut water
1 tablespoon of raw honey
Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Makes one serving.
Very Berry
Tastes like: A scrumptious explosion of sweet berries and tropical banana.
Benefits: "This has good sources of potassium coming from the milk and banana, and the oats add bulk and soluble fiber," says Taub-Dix.
Create your own:
1 cup spinach leaves
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon sugar, or more, to taste
Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Makes two servings.
Dairy-Free Lemon Blast
Tastes like: A refreshing blend of greens, with a hint of juice for sweetness.
Benefits: According to nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, this smoothie is great for detoxing. It features lots of greens and fruit to help balance the taste, while the lemon gives cleansing benefits.
Create your own:
12-16 ounces filtered water
1 head Romaine lettuce
1 cup spinach
3 celery stalks
1 apple (cored)
1 pear (cored)
1 banana
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup ice
Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Makes five to six cups.
Sweet Tart
Tastes like: A summery blend of fresh fruit, packed into a creamy, refreshing drink.
Benefits: "The veggies and fruit provide fiber and a host of vitamins and minerals, and they couple deliciously with the yogurt," says Taub-Dix.
Create your own:
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup Greek vanilla yogurt
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen peaches
1 frozen banana chunks
2 cups fresh spinach
Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Makes two to four servings.
Source: www.totalbeauty.com