Why make your own smoothie at home? Smoothies are easy and fun to make and you can control what goes into your smoothie. All you need is a blender and a few ingredients and you’re on your way to enjoying a variety of smoothies made with a complementary combination of foods and beverages. You can even kick your smoothie up a nutritional notch by adding wheat germ, leafy greens, or protein powder. Here are some of the most popular smoothie ingredients with some of their nutritional benefits:
- Bananas – Use fresh or frozen bananas. A very good source of vitamin B6, and a good source of fiber, potassium, manganese, and vitamin C.
- Berries – Use fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries or strawberries. Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamin K; raspberries are an excellent source of fiber, manganese, and vitamin C; and strawberries are an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C.
- Cantaloupe – Use fresh or frozen cantaloupe. An excellent source of vitamins A and C.
- Pineapple – Use fresh or frozen pineapple. An excellent source of manganese and vitamin C.
- Watermelon – Use fresh or frozen watermelon. An excellent source of vitamin C, a very good source of vitamin A, and a good source of magnesium and potassium.
- Yogurt – Use plain yogurt or your favorite flavor. A very good source of calcium, iodine, phosphorus, and vitamin B12.
- Milk – Whole, 2% or 1%. A very good source of calcium, iodine, vitamin D, and vitamin B2.
- Ice – For texture and a cooler temperature.