Healthy Smoothie Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle

Ever since I committed to eating healthier with the Weight Watchers program, I’ve been looking for ways to get more vegetables, fruits, and fiber into my diet, and one of my favorite ways is with healthy smoothie recipes. The shakes take just a few minutes to make if you have the ingredients on hand, and they’re a healthy, high-fiber snack that curbs my craving for something sweet (like when I’m craving a late-night bowl of ice cream).

A simple fruit and soymilk smoothie is an excellent low-calorie snack that fits well with the Weight Watchers program. If I have a shake instead of a meal, like breakfast or lunch, I like to have a serving of raw almonds along with it, or sometimes I mix a scoop of whey protein powder into the shake. Whey protein powder is not only great for weight loss, but it will also help keep you satisfied until your next meal or snack. You can find whey protein powder in many supermarkets and drug stores near weight loss or nutritional products.

Blenders are fine for making smoothies, but I prefer to use a personal size blender. That way I don’t have to get out my big blender. There are several different personal size shake makers on the market that often come with a base and two shake glasses. Those are especially good because you always have one on hand in case the other is in the dishwasher.

Some recipes call for adding ice to your smoothie, but you won’t need ice if you have some frozen strawberries and blueberries on hand in the freezer. For bananas, be sure to slice them first before freezing them in freezer-safe containers.

Both healthy smoothie recipes make one serving and are under 200 calories. Calories are approximate based on the type of milk you use. If you add whey protein, the calories will come up to about 270 calories, depending on which brand you use (adding whey protein will bump the shake recipe up to about 5 Weight Watchers points, which is a good low-spot lunch).

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 cup skim, soy, or almond milk
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
1 tablespoon whey protein (optional)
Combine ingredients in blender or magic bullet and blend until smooth.

Serves 1

Banana and Blueberry Smoothie

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 frozen banana cut into chunks
1 skimmed, soy or almond milk
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
1 tablespoon whey protein (optional)
Combine ingredients in blender or mixer and blend until smooth.

Serves 1