Smoothies + Shakes

Smoothies are some of the easiest and most nutritious drinks you can make. They are quick and simple to make and you can use a lot of different ingredients. You can also buy pre made smoothies in different flavors. There are many benefits in drinking a smoothie as they are low in calories, provide vitamins and minerals in your diet and help to detox your body system and boost your energy levels.

Smoothie ingredients include; fresh fruit, natural and/or Greek yogurt, protein powder, ground Flaxseeds and Linseeds, fresh milk, raw eggs, Spirulina for health, and orange juice or other flavors.

You can make them in a blender quickly and easily and are good to drink at any time of day. Smoothies provide a healthy breakfast addition and a great energy boost. You can also drink them for fitness and energy purposes (ie. before or after going to the gym or doing a fitness class) using protein shake mixes to get extra carbohydrates and proteins.

You can also buy smoothies and shakes in different flavors from local supermarkets, shops and restaurants. And there are a lot of smoothie bars and cafes which make them on site. Smoothies and shakes are slightly different in that a milkshake may include cream, and also ice cream in the ingredients. A smoothie will usually contain ingredients like natural yogurt to thicken them up or just mixed fresh fruit with a fresh juice like orange juice.

Drinking smoothies and using them as power drinks for anyone with a busy lifestyle has become a fashionable and trendy thing to do. Instead of having a coffee break or meeting your friends in a cafe you could go to a smoothie bar or cafe instead.

You can also get a milkshake in different flavors like; banana, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and raspberry. And you can get thick and creamy milkshakes or choose a lighter option especially as so much attention is given in the media to living a healthy lifestyle and being calorie conscious. . Nowadays milkshakes can cater for the health conscious as well and you can get them with skimmed milk, low fat yoghurt or ice cream and brown sugar or honey.

Here are some popular smoothie and milkshake ingredients:

1. Greek Yogurt
2. Natural Yogurt
3. Double Cream
4. Orange and Apple Juice
5. Bananas
6. Strawberries
7. Kiwis
8. Honey
9. Brown Sugar
10. Raw Eggs

Did you know Smoothies have these vitamins and minerals in them?

• Calcium
• Iron
• Vitamin A, D, E, B

And you can drink a smoothie for energy at any time of day. Plus they are good for fitness as well. You can get protein shakes and protein smoothies either as a powder or ready made and drink them before or after you go to the gym.

Smoothies can also help to detox our system flushing out the toxins in your body and you will find them on sale at a lot of Health Clubs and Spas plus in restaurants and cafes. There are some special Smoothie and Shake bars where you can choose what ingredients you want and create your own or you can choose one from their menu.

Drinking a smoothie or shake is also a good snack to have during the day as it will fill you up and has enough ingredients to replace a light meal.