Blue Banana Smoothie / Carrot Mango Delight

Blue Banana Smoothie

Full of vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, this nutritionally dense smoothie makes a great afternoon snack.

2 ripe bananas
1 cup (250 mL) natural yogourt
1/2 cup (125 mL) pineapple juice
1/2 cup (125 mL) orange juice
1 cup (250 mL) fresh blueberries
1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract

Place bananas and yogourt in blender and blend on low until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend on high until well combined. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator.

Serves 2.

Each serving contains: 286 calories; 7 g protein; 5 g total fat (3 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 58 g carbohydrates; 5 g fibre; 60 mg sodium

Protein booster

Turn the Blue Banana Smoothie into a protein-packed, post-workout recovery drink by simply adding a scoop of your favourite protein powder.

Carrot Mango Delight

This beta carotene-rich beverage is great in the morning with breakfast.

1/2 cup (125 mL) carrot juice
1/4 cup (60 mL) frozen mango chunks
1 handful of ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth. Serve immediately.

Serves 1.

Each serving contains: 74 calories; 1 g protein; 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 18 g carbohydrates; 2 g fibre; 5 mg sodium

Tip: To make your own frozen mango chunks, cut a ripe mango in half and remove its stone. Use a knife to score the fleshy parts of the fruit into cubes. Scoop the cubes out with a spoon and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze the cubes overnight.

Source: "Got Juice?," alive #347, September 2011