Our Guide to Smoothies and Their Benefits

There are endless amounts of smoothie concoctions you can create! From fresh fruit smoothies to plant-based smoothies, you are sure to find a smoothie that suits your taste buds. Here is our guide to help you get started with your smoothie creations.

Tips for Success

If you are new to making smoothies or have made many smoothies before, here are some tips to help you put together a smoothie that is right for you:

Make smoothies at home. When you go to a smoothie place, it is sometimes difficult to know the exact ingredients they put in your smoothies. If you make your smoothie at home, you know all of the ingredients that went into your smoothie and you can customize it to your liking.
Beware of sugar. If you are drinking smoothies to become healthier, beware of the sugar in smoothies. There are high amounts of sugar in smoothies that contain mostly fruits. To avoid this, add milk, nut butter, and protein powder.¹
Add protein powder. Protein powders can help with weight loss and muscle growth and can be a great way for you to reach the daily recommended amount of protein.²
Include oats. Oats are an excellent source of fiber and a great way to have a thicker smoothie.³
Frozen fruit instead. By using frozen fruit in smoothies, your smoothie will be sweet and not be watery from ice.⁴

How to Begin

Here is a list of items that you can use to make smoothies:

Blender
Glasses
Straws
Base (milk or yogurt)
Fruits/vegetables of your choosing
Protein powder (optional)
Nut butters (optional)
Ice
Garnishes⁵

Types of Smoothies

There are a variety of smoothies that you can sip and enjoy! From popular favorites to custom creations, there are many types of smoothies to choose from. Here are some tasty smoothies to try:

Strawberry banana
Mango apple
Mixed berry
Peanut butter berry
Pumpkin
Green ginger peach⁶
Mocha protein
Strawberry kiwi
Sweet potato puree
Blackberry nut butter⁷

Health Benefits of Smoothies

Smoothies can have great nutrition and ingredients that provide great health benefits. Here are some of the top health benefits of smoothies:

Getting enough fruit and veggies. Sometimes, meeting the fruits and veggies can be difficult. However, adding fruits and veggies into smoothies can be a simple way to get your recommended daily intake.
Lower the risk of chronic illnesses. The vitamin C from fruit can help lower the free radicals in your body. Free radicals can cause heart disease, cancer, and more.⁸
Improve brain function. The antioxidants from fruits and veggies can improve brain function and lower the chances of memory loss and cognitive decline.⁹
Gut health. The fiber from the oats and nuts in your smoothie aids in improving your gut and digestive health.¹⁰
Source of Protein. The protein from your smoothie ingredients such as protein powder, fruit and milk, can improve your muscle and bone health.¹¹

Saber Healthcare

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Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

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