Smoothies: A Healthy Breakfast Idea
Tired of eggs and oatmeal for breakfast? Take a break from traditional morning meals and prepare a healthy, delicious smoothie
A smoothie is a blended, frothy, chilled beverage that is often made with milk, yogurt, and other flavorings — and also fruit (if you’re on Phase 2 of the South Beach Diet). Smoothies are so easy to prepare and a great option if you’re pressed for time.
How to Prepare a Smoothie at Home
When preparing a smoothie at home, use a food processor or blender, which will give this tasty beverage a thick, milkshake-like consistency. There are a variety of ingredients you can use in your smoothie, depending on the Phase of the plan you’re on. Here are some basic guidelines:
Fat-free (skim) or 1% milk
Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt, including nonfat (0%) Greek yogurt
Natural peanut butter (Choose a brand with no more than 1 g of sugar per serving.)
Silken tofu
Nuts and flaxseed
Sugar-free chocolate syrup
No-sugar-added chocolate powder
Vanilla or almond extract
Granular sugar substitute
All of the above, including:
Fresh or frozen fruit, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and bananas
How to Choose a Healthy Store-Bought Smoothie
While it’s best to prepare your smoothies at home (because you know they’ll contain only the healthiest ingredients), you can purchase smoothies in restaurant chains or grocery stores too, as long as you check the list of ingredients first. Some smoothie brands contain canned fruit with added sugars, syrups, full-fat yogurts, whole milk, and ice cream, which may derail your weight-loss efforts.
If you buy a store-bought smoothie, stick to a serving of eight ounces — anything larger can create cravings and hinder your weight-loss goals.
Tired of eggs and oatmeal for breakfast? Take a break from traditional morning meals and prepare a healthy, delicious smoothie
A smoothie is a blended, frothy, chilled beverage that is often made with milk, yogurt, and other flavorings — and also fruit (if you’re on Phase 2 of the South Beach Diet). Smoothies are so easy to prepare and a great option if you’re pressed for time.
How to Prepare a Smoothie at Home
When preparing a smoothie at home, use a food processor or blender, which will give this tasty beverage a thick, milkshake-like consistency. There are a variety of ingredients you can use in your smoothie, depending on the Phase of the plan you’re on. Here are some basic guidelines:
Fat-free (skim) or 1% milk
Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt, including nonfat (0%) Greek yogurt
Natural peanut butter (Choose a brand with no more than 1 g of sugar per serving.)
Silken tofu
Nuts and flaxseed
Sugar-free chocolate syrup
No-sugar-added chocolate powder
Vanilla or almond extract
Granular sugar substitute
All of the above, including:
Fresh or frozen fruit, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and bananas
How to Choose a Healthy Store-Bought Smoothie
While it’s best to prepare your smoothies at home (because you know they’ll contain only the healthiest ingredients), you can purchase smoothies in restaurant chains or grocery stores too, as long as you check the list of ingredients first. Some smoothie brands contain canned fruit with added sugars, syrups, full-fat yogurts, whole milk, and ice cream, which may derail your weight-loss efforts.
If you buy a store-bought smoothie, stick to a serving of eight ounces — anything larger can create cravings and hinder your weight-loss goals.