SO, WHAT’S THE VERDICT ON SMOOTHIES?
Are smoothies as healthy as they are made out to be? What can be done to make them healthier? Here’s the lowdown on it all
Astaple health drink made from blending fruits, vegetables, and nuts in milk, water, or yoghurt, smoothies have been a part of our diets for quite some time now. They are easy to whip up at home and to have on your way to work. But hey, are they really healthy? Here is the experts’ take.
PACKAGED VS HOMEMADE
There has been debate around this for some time now, and whether what you’re guzzling down in the name of health depends on whether it is homemade or packaged. The former, apart from being customisable, are free of harmful ingredients like preservatives, canned fruits, syrups and refined sugar that defeat the whole point of having a smoothie. If at you buy a smoothie, make sure you check for the ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE A HEALTHY SMOOTHIE
Smoothies are generally yoghurt or milk-based, but alternatives that are even healthier include almond milk and low-fat coconut milk. Make it nutrient-rich with fresh fruits and berries. If you want a vegetable smoothie, spinach and beetroot are great options.
A few options for smoothie combinations include bananas, honey, and water, or bananas, chikoos (naseberry), apples, dates, and water. You can also try blending figs, strawberries, black grapes, honey and water.
THE RIGHT TIME TO HAVE IT
A smoothie made of yoghurt or milk without sugar or any sweetener is great as an evening or pre-workout snack. Make sure the milk is low-fat and there are no ingredients that increase the calorie count.
SMOOTHIE VS COOKED VEGGIES AND FRUITS
Having cooked vegetables and raw fruits is a better choice. A whole fruit or vegetable should always be preferred for maximum nutrition. Blending them into a smoothie may result in loss of fibre content.