FOOD & DINING
Words by Lynsey Riach
A good slurp on an ice cold refreshing smoothie can leave you feeling energised and healthier. Loaded with benefits including antioxidants and vitamins, QH shows you how to cram your daily fruit and veg’ allowance into one drink.
What is a smoothie? A smoothie is a thick beverage made from blended raw fruit or vegetables, with other ingredients such as water, ice, dairy products or sweeteners such as syrups. But hang on a minute, could this be the reason they are sometimes questioned in terms of having any real health benefit? Yes. You see, the health benefits of a smoothie depend greatly on its ingredients. Many smoothies include large servings of fruits and vegetables which, although recommended in a healthy diet, can be bad as well. Too many sweet fruits can lead to too much sugar intake.
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Similarly, ingredients such as protein powders, sweeteners, or ice cream are often used in smoothie recipes, but are not necessarily healthy either. Smoothies include dietary fibre (e.g. pulp, often also skin and seeds) and so are thicker than fruit juices, with a consistency similar to that of a milkshake. The fibre makes smoothies healthier than fruit juice alone and leaves you feeling fuller for longer. Smoothies, particularly green smoothies (which include vegetables), are often marketed to health-conscious people, for example as a healthier alternative to milkshakes.