Is smoothie good for your health

Smoothies are wonderful desserts that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether it is bought from the store or made at home, the delicious blended beverage will always bring a smile to your face. To get the most out of smoothies, let’s learn more about them.

What are smoothies

Smoothie is easy to make, and generally, it can surprise you even if you improvise with what you’ve got. The basic elements in a smoothie include a base (usually fruits, such as banana, berries, avocado, etc,.) and a liquid (fruit juice, milk or nondairy milk). You can also add more ingredients to your liking, including vegetables, nuts and seeds, sugar, and spices.

Pros and cons of smoothies

Drinking smoothies enables you to take in all kinds of nutrients like vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Generally, an adult should take in 400g of fruits and vegetables, and with a cup of smoothie, you easily meet this demand. From milk, nuts, and other ingredients, you can also get a good amount of protein and healthy fats.

However, how much a cup of smoothie benefits you depends on what ingredients you put and how much you drink. If you put in too much syrup and fruit juice, you are actually consuming a large number of calories without nutrients. This will leave you hungry shortly afterward. The healthier way is to reduce the zero artificial sweeteners and add more protein and healthy fat. For example, use low-sugar fruits for sweetness instead of artificial sugar, and go for low-fat milk like almond milk or coconut milk. They contain a moderate amount of protein and fat that can help reduce your hunger.

On the other hand, smoothies are not low-calorie desserts all the time. Some smoothies can pack up to 1,000 calories. So if you make it at home, watch out for the portion size. For stored-bought ones, pay attention to the proportion of calories and all other nutrients.

Tips for making a great smoothie

• 1. Opt for a healthy liquid: Oat milk, almond milk, coconut water and even filtered water are much better than sugary fruit juices.
• 2. Frozen fruits or ice cubes: To make your smoothie creamy, use frozen fruits or add ice cubes for blending. You can use frozen vegetables, of course.
• 3. Extra boost: Give your smoothie a special flavor with an extra boost. No matter it is spiced like cinnamon or superfoods like maca powder, you’ll surely not get disappointed.