Smoothy Slim
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What makes a smoothie unhealthy?

Smoothies are high in sugar. Free sugars include any added sugars (including honey and maple syrup) and are the kind we should all be cutting down on to protect our teeth as well as lower our energy intake to help maintain a healthy weight.

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5 reasons why smoothies are not a shortcut to a healthy diet

13 April 2016

Smoothies have a reputation as a bit of a wonder drink – one which isn’t always founded on facts, as we explain. 1. However much you drink, it won’t count as more than one of your 5-a-day. According to new national recommendations, smoothies can count as no more than one of your 5-a-day – even if you’ve put 5 different fruit and veg in them. And if you have a glass of juice on the same day, you can’t count them both. 2. Having a massive smoothie for breakfast doesn’t mean you can just eat chips and cake for the rest of the day. Healthy choices at one point in the day don’t cancel out the effects of salt, sugar and saturated fats in less healthy choices you have at other times – the idea is that they replace these foods or leave less room in the diet for them. Including fruit and veg in our diets throughout the day means there is more chance of that happening. We’re here for you with information and support around coronavirus Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates about coronavirus when you have a heart condition, as well as support for healthy eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing. I’d like to sign up

3. Smoothies are high in sugar.

If you blend fruit, the natural sugars are released from within the cell walls of the fruit and become “free sugars”. Free sugars include any added sugars (including honey and maple syrup) and are the kind we should all be cutting down on to protect our teeth as well as lower our energy intake to help maintain a healthy weight. Even if they have some added vegetables like spinach or kale, they are still likely to be high in sugar.

Watch our animation to learn more about free sugars.

4. You can quickly have too much of a good thing.

According to the national Eatwell Guide, a serving of smoothie (or juice) is 150ml. That’s the same as a “mini” can of cola and less than half the size of a standard can of soft drink. It’s smaller than the little smoothie bottles you can buy and almost certainly a lot smaller than one you’d buy in a café. Remember, sharing is caring so split your smoothie with a friend or keep some for the next day if you are at home.

5. Drinking smoothies doesn’t mean you have a healthy, balanced diet.

We all need to eat more fruit and veg, and a 150ml portion of smoothie is one way to help you towards that, but it’s not the only thing to think about when it comes to eating well. We also need to eat high fibre and wholegrain carbohydrates, as well as some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, lean meat and other protein foods, as well as low fat dairy products and small amounts of healthier, unsaturated fats. To go with your breakfast smoothie, what about a poached egg on wholegrain toast, or ring the changes with a bowl of porridge topped with berries?

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What goes first in a smoothie?

Boost your smoothie game Step 1: Liquid. Pour liquids (1 to 2 cups) in first for efficient blending. ... Step 2: Base. Add soft and hard produce, and fibrous foods such as nuts and dried fruits, then frozen fruits. ... Step 3: Ice. The ice goes in last to help pull all the other ingredients down into the blades for even mixing.

Boost your smoothie game

Boost your smoothie game

Sure, you could head to your neighborhood juice shop and order a $7 or $8 smoothie. Blending your own, however, is not only easier on your wallet, but you can customize to your heart’s content and make several batches at a time. Whether you’re making a nutrient-dense meal replacement, a protein-packed workout booster or a sweet, chill treat, the flavor combinations are endless. You can use whichever ingredients you like or need to clear out of your refrigerator or freezer. All it takes is a little bit of thought. A basic smoothie is quick and easy. It contains three essential elements: a liquid, a base (fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables) and a chill factor (ice or frozen fruit). Those simple components inspire all kinds of wonderfully tasty blends. Choose ingredients for nutrition and pleasure (yes, you can have both!) in equal measure, taking into account taste, texture and vibrant color. After all, nobody wants to drink anything that looks and tastes like the place where the plants came to die. To take your blends to the next level, to maximize nutrient density and to amp up the “wow” flavor factor, check out this handy guide to help get you blending like a pro.

[5 smoothie recipes, including a better version of an Orange Julius]

The building-block elements below are listed in the order in which you would add them to the blender. (For personal blenders in which you invert the cup onto a blade assembly, reverse this process.) Included among the elements (in bold) are 6 “wows,” the amounts of which can vary depending on the size of your blender jar and personal preference.

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