Delicious low fat smoothie recipes

Summer is coming and everyone is hoping to get into shape and enjoy some refreshing drinks. So why not create a delicious low fat smoothie that is equally as refreshing as it is healthy?

Smoothies are a great way to combine many fruits and vegetables in an easily consumable way. The great thing about smoothies is they are tasty, filling and include your 5 a day easily.

Smoothies are also perfect to lose weight because they help to detox your body when substituted for regular snacks. Because of the fruit or vegetables contained in them, they help to keep you fuller for longer.

Fruit Smoothies

Fruit smoothies are perfect for all occasions and are so healthy because they contain many types of fresh fruits. These fruits can either be tinned or freshly picked yourself or from a store. Choose your favourite flavours and learn what you can pair them up with to make a fantastic smoothie that you and your family will love.

Apple, lemon, grape & apricot smoothie

To make this fruitful smoothie you will need:

• 3 peeled and quartered lemons
• 2 apples (wedged)
• 3 halved and stoned apricots
• 25 red seedless grapes
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Once your ingredients are prepared, simply blend in a blender or food processor until it reaches a smooth consistency. Once you are happy with the consistency, add some ice cubes and blend once more. Serve immediately.

Cherry & strawberry smoothie

The ingredients for this sweet smoothie are:

• 1 cup sweet cherries (pitted)
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup vanilla yoghurt

Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and serve chilled. This is a great smoothie to substitute for dessert.

Banana & kiwi smoothie

To make this exotic smoothie you will need:

• 1 banana
• 2 kiwi fruits
• 200 ml. skimmed milk
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Start by slicing the banana into slices. Now, peel the skin off the kiwi and slice. Add the banana and kiwi into a blender and pour the milk in. Blend until the ingredients are completely blended then add the ice cubes and blend once more. Serve chilled.

Mango smoothie

Mangoes are mouth watering fruits that taste great in a smoothie. You will need:

• 2 ripe mangoes
• 300 ml. skimmed milk
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Take your mangoes, one by one and peel the skin off. Now, slice the 'cheeks' off either side of the stone. Ensure to get as much fruit off the mango cut off as possible. Put the mango slices in a blender along with the milk and sugar. Blend for a few minutes then add the ice cubes and serve.

It is possible to blend vegetables to get your five a day, aswell as fruit. The great thing about blending vegetables is that you can either have a very nutritious smoothie or a delicious homemade soup. Vegetable smoothies are great hot or cold, so it's up to you!

Tomato smoothie

Ingredients for this smoothie are:

• 1 cup of chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup carrots
• 1/4 cup of chopped celery
• Tabasco sauce to taste
• 2 cups ice

Add all ingredients into a food processor and blend thoroughly. Serve immediately.

Carrot smoothie

You will need:

• 12 ounces of carrot juice (fresh)
• 1/2 a lime (peeled)
• 3 baby carrots
• 2 cups of vanilla yoghurt
• 8 ice cubes

Place each ingredient into a blender and blend until very smooth. This serves two people and is great for a midday liquid snack.

Spinach and mango smoothie

Ingredients are:

• 1 handful of fresh organic spinach
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 or 2 sweet yellow filipino mangoes
• 1 cup of water

Peel the mangoes and slice as much flesh off them as possible. Blend in a food processor with the celery and spinach. Once the consistency is thick, add the water and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Why not combine fruits and vegetables? Try a broccoli & blueberry smoothie.

For this you will need:

• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup broccoli (steamed)
• 1 cup of cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup low fat natural yoghurt

Blend every ingredient until the consistency is smooth and thick. You can even add some strawberries to the mix if you wish! Fruits taste great with broccoli and this smoothie provides many nutrients and goodness to your daily diet.

Invent your own

These fruit and vegetable smoothies are all filling and full of flavour, but you don't have to stick to these recipes. Think of your favourite fruits, and experiment. Some flavours taste so good together, it may just be a new recipe to add to the list!