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SALT LAKE CITY — When the days are hot and long, it’s nice to sit down, relax and sip on something cool. Smoothies are an excellent way to do this; as a bonus, they're often filled with nutrients, as well.
With summer produce in full bloom, now is the perfect time to whip up a summer smoothie. Here are a few tips on how to build your own great recipe:
- Create a base of summer produce. Whether it’s frozen (which makes for a great icy consistency) or fresh, choosing summer produce such as berries, cherries, apples, mangos, peaches, plums, watermelon, banana, avocado, salad greens, carrots, beets or cucumbers adds that refreshing summer taste.
- Add a liquid. This could be any liquid, such as 100% fruit juice, milk, coconut milk, coconut water, Greek yogurt or even plain water.
- Enhance the flavor. Flavor enhancers really bring out the best of any smoothie. Keep in mind that with most of these, a little bit goes a long way. Try ingredients such as ginger, fresh basil, fresh mint, lavender, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, coconut flakes, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, dates, honey or maple syrup.
- Kick up the nutrition a notch. Add some vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and/or healthy fats to your smoothie with the addition of chia seeds, milled flax seed, pumpkin seeds, pecans, almonds, walnuts, nut butters, or oats.
Now you’ve got the basics of smoothie-building down, here are nine refreshing and nutritious smoothie recipes to sip on this summer.
1. Pineapple Mango Smoothie via Desi-licious RD
"Creamy, thick and with all the summer feels, this healthy tropical smoothie is truly sunshine in a glass. Super easy to pull off, it’s made in under 5 minutes and uses 100% whole foods to create the perfect refreshing treat to cool you down!" —Shahzadi Devje, registered dietitian
2. Layered Strawberry Orange Smoothie via Amy Gorin Nutrition
"This refreshing smoothie blends up in just minutes. It's full of antioxidants, which you can see in its bright purple color." —Amy Gorin, registered dietitian nutritionist
3. Triple Berry Banana Smoothie via Fork in the Road
"This is a great way to take advantage of berry season. Featuring three berries and a banana for creaminess, this plant-based smoothie is perfect for summer." —Kristina Todini, registered dietitian nutritionist
4. Sweet Potato Beet Smoothie via Bucket List Tummy
"This is a nutritious, refreshing smoothie recipe perfect as a way to cool down from the warm weather! Made with mango, beets and sweet potatoes, it’s antioxidant rich, and packed with protein to keep you full." —Sarah Schlichter, registered dietitian
5. Berry Coconut Smoothie Bowl via The Nutrition Adventure
"This is a festive and fun breakfast or snack to enjoy this summer! Plus, there's a hidden summer veggie in this smoothie bowl that helps give it a creamy texture." —Karman Meyer, dietitian & founder of TheNutritionAdventure.com
6. Peach Banana Green Smoothie via Tasty Balance Nutrition
"Summer is peach season and the perfect way to incorporate them into your day is through a smoothie. This refreshing and heart-healthy smoothie uses peaches, bananas, spinach, almonds and coconut water to pack a potassium punch." —Lindsey Pine, registered dietitian
7. Cherry Beet Lemon Smoothie via KISS in the Kitchen
"This bright and refreshing smoothie is perfect for 'beeting' the summer heat. It's loaded with nutritious fruits and veggies and is a breeze to whip together!" —Shannon A. Garcia, registered dietitian
8. Mixed Berry Smoothie with Granola via Nourish Nutrition Co.
"This is my go to smoothie. It’s delicious, easy and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus with the addition of granola, it’s a more filling breakfast than most smoothies." —Rebecca Clyde, registered dietitian
9. Strawberry Banana Chocolate Smoothie via Your Choice Nutrition
This is one of my own recipes. The classic combo of strawberry-banana gets an upgrade by adding a bit of dark chocolate to this smoothie. It’s perfect for a summer night out on the patio!
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