The wellness trend of smoothies is on the rise and it is marketed as a healthy food. The beverage is quite versatile, family-friendly, modifiable, and portable too for people of any dietary preference or taste. It is easy to make this on your own and is readily available in stores. There are a lot of options, while some contain fruits and vegetables others have high sugar content. These creamy and thick drinks are usually made using pureed fruits, juices, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and non-dairy or dairy milk. The basic ingredients for this drink are a liquid and a base. Ice cubes might be added to give consistency and texture to the product. The flavor depends upon the ingredients that you choose.
Usually, fruits such as apples, peaches, berries, pineapples, mangoes, and bananas are preferred. Vegetables used to make this chilled beverage includes wheatgrass, avocado, kale, arugula, spinach, microgreens, beetroot, cauliflower, cucumber, and carrots. Apart from these nuts, seeds, spices, herbs, herbal and nutritional supplements can also be added. Liquids used in this drink include vegetable juice, coconut water, water, non-dairy milk, cold brew coffee, iced tea, milk, and fruit juice. In some cases, even sweeteners might be added. Based on the ingredients they are classified as fruit smoothies, green smoothies, and protein shakes. Because of its flexible nature, it is easy to include nutrition in this beverage.
This beverage is an ideal afternoon snack or morning meal. It is a way to include healthy food in your diet. As it is made using frozen or fresh produce, it increases the consumption of vegetables and fruits that are filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This can help in health benefits such as improved digestion, reduction in inflammation, lowers the risk of osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease, and mental decline. With increased consumption of fiber, it helps in maintaining gut bacteria that are important for a healthy immune system. It is known to reduce the risk associated with chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. To include fiber in your shakes add some whole grains such as oats, seeds, nuts, and legumes like white beans.
To grab the health benefits of these chilled drinks it is important to follow a proper diet regime in your diet. It is recommended to choose smoothies that contain Greek yogurt, protein powder, nut butter, and similar ingredients. This is because it has a lot of calories and can be used to replace your morning breakfast. If too much fruit is added then it can add to carbohydrates and calories. Usually, one cup of fruit for one glass should be enough to provide nutrition for the body. It is important to keep a check on the number of sweeteners that are being added to the drink. It is important to keep a balance of the ingredients and check the label before making a purchase.