Ingredients to Make Smoothies

Yummy, easy to prepare and comprised of common kitchen staples, smoothies are a great snack. Smoothies are a fabulous recipe for any cook--a variety of ingredients can be used, resulting in an array of options.

Ice

An essential ingredient in preparing cool, refreshing smoothies is 1/2 cup of pre-crushed or ice crushed in a blender.

Liquid

You'll need 1/2 cup of milk, soy milk, rice milk, juice or water per smoothie; each liquid will add a different flavor and nutritional value to the smoothie. (If fruit juice is preferred, make sure the juice flavor is compatible with the other ingredients included.)

Fruit

For a sweet flavored smoothie, add 1/2 cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit; fruit is also nutritious, colorful and contains fiber. Choose a favorite fruit or fruit combination, or start simply with berries, bananas, mangoes or pineapple.

Yogurt

For a creamy texture, add 1/2 cup of a favorite yogurt to your smoothie. Make sure the yogurt flavor is compatible with the fruit and liquid being included. When in doubt, use vanilla or plain yogurt.

Supplements

To add an extra nutritional boost to a smoothie, consider including 1 tablespoon of protein powder, omega-3 fish oil supplement or 1 teaspoon of flax seed meal.

References

• Smoothie Web
• AllRecipes.com
• Smoothie Recipes