Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast
Fruit smoothies and drinks have joined the menu at many coffee shops and quick serve restaurants. Manufacturers have also joined the bandwagon with many bottled or frozen mixes on grocery store shelves. It is no wonder they are so popular, they are a great way to get fruits into your and children’s diet.
When smoothies are made with dairy products and fruit like those at Panera, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc., they are a fabulous snack because they add calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, and fiber to your diet. However, be sure to read the nutrition information. The ‘Fruitista Freezes’ at Taco Bell are around 250 calories of sugar and flavorings.
Purchased smoothies often cost $2.00-$3.00 per serving. You can make your own for a fraction of the cost especially if you buy fruits in season. Our Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast is around $.75 per serving. It is made with strawberries, banana, and strawberry yogurt. Almost any combination of fruit and yogurt will work (eg. banana-peach, mango-berry).
Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast
Ingredients:
½ banana
½ cup frozen berries
1 (6-ounce) container strawberry yogurt
Directions:
Blend all ingredients well in blender.
Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!
TIP: Smoothies are a great way to use over-ripe fruit.
I agree that the best way to get the most nutrition from a smoothie is to make it yourself with fruits in season. Lots of Vitamin C, manganese and potassium in this recipe. (even some B6) I find that with sweet fruits like bananas, the consistency is quite creamy in and of itself. This looks delicious.
This looks very delicious. Makes me want to hurry to go purchase a blender
Strawberry and banana make the best smoothies for sure. I haven’t been able to work oranges into a smoothie, they just never seem to blend up right and mix with other fruits.
This looks very delicious. Makes me want to hurry to go purchase a blend
To really help increase the number of fruit & veggie servings and decrease added sugar, you can add 1 cup spinach or kale + 1/2 cup 100% fruit juice. I like to make my own yogurt which really helps with cost and increases calcium as I fortify my yogurt with NFDM.