Three Slimming Smoothie Recipes

Get ready to blend!

Add a few chunks of fresh watermelon to your next smoothie for a healthy dose of Vitamin C!

As the temperature heats up, our bodies begin to crave foods with high water content—think fruits and veggies—to keep us well hydrated, especially as we become more active and spend more time outdoors. There’s no better way to do this than with smoothies. Whether on the go, for a fast breakfast, or a quick afternoon pick-me-up, these thirst-quenching, nutritious beverages will have you sailing through your summer days with tons of energy. Whether you want an extra dose of bone-building greens, need to fend off summer sniffles with Vitamin C, or attack free radicals with some very tasty antioxidants, we’ve got the smoothie for you.

Low-Cal Vitamin-C Boost
Serves 1

Ingredients
1/2 cup ice
1/4 cup watermelon, cubed
1/4 cup strawberries, halved
1/4 cup cantaloupe, cubed
1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions
Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy sipping over 150 percent of your RDA of Vitamin C!

Nutrition info: 80 calories, 2.5g fat, 1.5g sat. fat, 13g carbs, 2g fiber, 3g protein, 8mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium

Berry Good Antioxidant Blend
Serves 1

Ingredients
¼ cup blueberries
¼ cup raspberries
¼ cup blackberries
½ ripe banana
½ cup ice
½ cup coconut water

Directions
Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy!

Nutrition info: 153 calories, 1g fat, 42g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 1.5g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 53g sodium


Green Machine
Serves 1

Ingredients
1 ripe banana, quartered
½ cup frozen blueberries
2 cup fresh spinach
1 cup coconut milk

Directions
Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy!

Nutrition info: 243 calories, 6g fat, 5g sat fat, 47g carbs, 6g fiber, 4.5g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium

Food Facts: Smoothies should have a healthy amount of dietary fat to help absorb vitamins and nutrients. Use organic eggs, milk, yogurt or substitute milks. Use whole or low-fat dairy products over skim products when possible for best assimilation of nutrition. Not into dairy? Be creative and try adding nuts, all-natural peanut butter or avocado.

Shopping Tips: Buy berries in season when they are sweetest and cheapest. Then, freeze them in Ziploc bags and add to smoothies throughout the year. When you use frozen berries, there is no need for ice!

Maura Manzo is a health coach and yoga instructor at RYAH Yoga and Health in Conshohocken.  To learn more about her classes and workshops, visit mauramanzo.com or ryahyoga.comRead her full bio here.