Protein Fruit Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies are a great way to quickly cram down a bunch of great fruits and exceed the "5-a-day" portion guideline.

Orange juice, Bananas, Strawberries and Blueberries are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, potassium, folic acid and antioxidants. Blueberries are considered one of the superfruits due to its very high concentration of antioxidants, helping improve metabolism. Other health benefits of the ingredients in smoothies are immeasurable. Some say drinking a smoothie is even better than taking a daily vitamin. Fresh made smoothies provide an excellent source of bio-available vitamins and minerals which partner with enzymes and co-enzymes. Vitamins activate enzymes. Without the vitamins they simply cannot work the way they're intended. Enzymes are essential for absorbing, digesting and converting food. Enzymes produce energy at the cellular level and are critical for most of the metabolic activities taking place in your body.

Simply put, your body can absorb more of the vitamins and minerals than if you ate the fruits and vegetables whole. Many of the nutrients are stuck in the fiber and by blending the fruits, you break down the fiber and release the vital nutrients into a form your body can more easily use.

I created this recipe originally as a POST workout smoothie. I included the use of egg white and lowfat yogurt for the protein. Some recipes include ice-cream and whole eggs, but for me that is too much unnecessary sugar, fat and cholesterol. I like the taste of Yoplait's light yogurt and use the blueberry or strawberry flavored just to compliment the ingredients.

I make these fruit and protein Smoothies about 3 times a week as my lunch.

Awesome Smoothie Recipe

In a blender mix:

1 1/4 cups ice

1 cup orange juice

1 container Yoplait light yogurt (strawberry or blueberry)

1/3 cup liquid egg whites (I use ALL WHITES brand)

1/2 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 banana

Blend for 2-3 minutes.

You can add sugar to taste, but I personally don't add sugar, I feel the smoothie is sweet enough as is.

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