Fruit Smoothies

Fruit smoothies are a great way to start your day, and they are appealing to all ages because they are fun to make, sweet to drink and have a great nutritional value. Kids really enjoy selecting their own special mix of fruit and watching them turn into a creamy delight in the blender. Everyone enjoys drinking them!  Use any combination of fruit along with yogurt or bananas and customize your own favorite smoothie.  You can even mix in some flax oil as another healthy option.  If you are not convinced to try one right now, here are some facts to help.

• Most smoothies are high in dietary fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.
• Research suggests that the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high ORAC value--1600 to 5000 units per 100 grams/3.5 ounces--may support anti-aging in both the body and the brain. 
• Oranges have a high ORAC value of 750 grams per 3.5 oz*.  1 cup of strawberries gives you a whopping 140% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C**. The FDA recommends a daily intake of 2 cups or more to support a healthy diet.  Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up or pureed.***
• Always eat fruit on an empty stomach.  When eaten before a meal, the sugars are burned immediately, producing instant energy.****

* http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/1999/990208.htm?pf=1

** http://health.learninginfo.org/strawberry.htm

***  http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/fruits.html

**** http://www.thefruitpages.com/treefruit.shtml

Browse through our list of recipes here.