Ways to Make a Fruit Smoothie

Combine different fruits to make delicious smoothies.

Fruit smoothies can be a tasty refreshment or a healthy snack. When choosing what smoothie to make, deciding on a base can help you determine what fruits to blend. The common choices are yogurt, ice or a protein base. Each base adds different nutritional benefits. Use fresh ingredients whenever possible for the best tasting smoothies.

Yogurt Based

Combine a 6 ounce container of yogurt (any flavor), 1 cup of strawberries, 1/2 cup of blueberries, 1 banana and 1 cup of berry juice (any brand will work). Mix all the ingredients in a blender and enjoy. This will make a single serving.

Another delicious smoothie uses 1 1/2 cups of vanilla yogurt, 1 banana, 3/4 cup of frozen peaches, 8 ounces of frozen strawberries and 1 tablespoon of orange juice concentrate. Blend until smooth and enjoy. This recipe makes enough for two servings.

If you want to make smoothies to share, try this recipe, which makes 4 servings. Blend 1 sliced kiwi, 1 chopped banana, 1/2 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of strawberries, 1 cup of orange juice and 1 1/2 cups of peach yogurt.

Ice Based

For a tropical taste try combining 1 mango (peeled and seeded), 1 papaya (peeled and seeded), 1/2 of cup fresh strawberries, 1/3 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of ice. Blend and serve. There are two servings in this smoothie recipe.

Adding coconut to a smoothie can create a delicious tasting beverage. Combine 1 1/2 cups of crushed ice, 1 chopped banana, 1 peeled and chopped kiwi, 3/4 cup of strawberries, 1/4 cup of pineapple, 1/4 cup of cream of coconut and blend. Garnish the smoothies with 1 tablespoon of coconut flakes.

Protein Based

Using peanut butter can add healthy protein to a smoothie. Try this smoothie that adds peanut butter and flax seed for additional nutritional benefits. Blend 1 tablespoon of flax seed (you can also substitute wheat germ), 1 banana, 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and 1 cup of milk.

This chocolaty smoothie would be a good dessert drink. Mix 2 cups of milk, 1 packet of instant cocoa mix, 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter, 2 sliced bananas and 1/2 cup of ice.

Kids love this peanut butter and jelly smoothie but it's also healthy. Blend 2 cups of milk, 2 tablespoons of blackberry jelly, 1/2 cup of blackberries, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 frozen banana (cut in chunks), 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of wheat germ.

Vegetable Additions

While still a fruit smoothie, adding certain vegetables can increase the healthy benefits. Carrot juice blends well with tropical smoothies. Also, smoothies made with berries pair nicely with leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach.

References

• Loree Leiper: Nutritionist: YMCA
• Kimberly Sayers: Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer: YMCA
• All Recipes: Tropical Fruit Smoothies
• All Recipes: Triple Threat Fruit Smoothie
• All Recipes: Crazy Fruit Smoothies