A smoothie is a blended sweetened drink made mostly from fresh fruits.

Others are made from vegetables too. In some cases, a smoothie can have cookies, raisins, peanut butter or chocolate. Yes, they're sweet and cold and fruity and delicious, but the best thing about smoothies is that if you have a blender and two minutes to spare, you can make one in a jiffy. Once you do, you've got just -about a perfect snack.

Most smoothies are fruit based, which automatically makes them an excellent source of the disease-fighting nutrient. Many of these fruits, especially the tart ones like citrus, kiwi and strawberries are packed with tons of vitamin C, and others like the brownish-yellow -colored apricots, cantaloupe and mangoes are a powerhouse of beta-carotene, another strong antioxidant. Still other compounds like the quercetin, a flavonoid or a phytochemical that is found in grape skins, are powerful protectors in their right, helping to fight heart disease. The veggies most often used in smoothies, like carrots and tomatoes, are well-known for their nutritional punch. For the weight watchers and conscious diet aficionados, smoothies are a great meal substitute. Provided that there are no contraindications to having this as a food substitute, a dieter can surely incorporate smoothies into his or her meal plan.

Weight loss cocktail smoothies became very popular in the 1990's and 2000's. They have been widely available in almost all cafes and coffee shops for some time now and are even accessible in grocery stores which come in pre-bottled versions. What makes them so delectable, aside from the nutritional content, is the way these are prepared. All sorts of fixings can be placed on top of the smoothie such as peanuts, chocolates, cereals, marshmallows, chocolate cream, and lots of other mouth-watering decadences. For dieters, though, these delicious toppings are substituted by organic and dried fruits such as raisins, plums, walnuts, and herbs which are used on top of the smoothie as a garnish.

Originally, the smoothie began its popularity in the 1970's.

It was coined by the hippies in the late 60's, but it surged commercially during the 80's as a sports and fitness supplement-fortified health food. Because consumers at that time wanted to have the same drink as most athletes were drinking at that time, it then became so popular in supermarkets and grocery stores that it eventually became a multi-billion dollar industry.

To date, there are thousands of smoothie companies around the world. Some of the most popular businesses in the United Stated nowadays are Jamba Juice, Smoothie King, and Orange Julius to name but a few.

Making a smoothie part of the marketing strategy of most smoothie companies today is their use of frozen yogurt, which is available in various types and flavors so that those who are watching their weight can opt for the non-fat or low-fat version. Indeed, the smoothie has come a long way regarding how it is prepared and presented. In Asia, smoothies are commonly mixed with tropical fruits like coconut, pineapples, rambutans, and avocados. They have some authentic local vegetables incorporated to the typical mango or banana smoothie, a unique mouth-watering treat that will surely wake up the foreign palate.

If you are looking for a nutritious energy booster drink that is low in fat and is suitable for weight reduction, here are some of the top five super smoothies for weight loss. These will not only fill up your stomach and sweet cravings, but it will also give you all the vitamins and nutrients that you need for energy and muscle build-up. These easy recipes are all-custom-blended to fit your life, whether you want a kick-start workout energizer, a post-workout refueling stop or even a cure for those PMS cravings. They are certainly guaranteed to taste great so dig out that blender and start sipping!

Beta boost drink, our first recipe, is made up mainly of carrots to boost up your beta-carotene levels and a powerful antioxidant that helps you fight off ill-health, ranging from memory loss to cardiovascular disease and cancer. It is good for weight loss because it only has 132 calories per serving (1 medium tall glass), 32 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram fat, 2 gram protein and 5 grams of fiber. It is consists of the following ingredients:

1 cup diced mango
1 cup chilled carrot juice or freshly blended carrot juice already prepared
1 cup frozen, unsweetened strawberries and,
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper.

Don't be afraid of the bell pepper because of its natural sweetness gives this smoothie a wonderful unique flavor. Combine the mango and carrot juice in a blender and add the strawberries and red bell pepper. Blend until smooth. Top with a swirl of carrot ribbon/strips, if desired and serve immediately.

The second weight loss drink is a hydro-tonic drink. The energy boosting sugar and carbohydrates in this refreshing honeydew and lime concentration make it a mean, green, pre-workout machine. It's actually a sports drink. It adds a dose of essential electrolytes to help the muscles last just as long as your exercise does. Best of all, it fights fat because of the reducing actions of the honeydew melon. Each serving contains 112 calories, 29 grams f carbohydrates, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein and 1 gram fiber. All you need are these food products:

Pre-Workout Drink

1 ½ cups dices honeydew melon
1 cup of lemon-lime Gatorade sports drinks (or any brand as desired)
¾ cup frozen green grapes
Pinch of salt.

Combine the honeydew melon and sports drink in a blender. Add the frozen grapes and salt. Blend until smooth and serve immediately.

Very berry smoothie - If you are looking for an antioxidant smoothie and a drink that is also useful for weight control, here's a refreshing drink for you. This yummy blend of berries and cherries is packed with Vitamin C and anthocyanins, which help protect against some kinds of cancer. All you need are:

1 cup low-fat cherry yogurt
¼ cup cranberry juice
1 cup frozen pitted cherries
¾ cup frozen unsweetened blueberries

Just combine the yogurt and cranberry juice in a blender. Add the cherries and berries and blend until smooth. This makes two servings. A serving has 230 calories, 49 grams of Carbohydrates, 2 grams fat, 5 grams protein annd 3 grams fiber.

Our next top candidate is a power punch. The fruits used in this recipe, which is pineapple and creamy soy protein make a healthy post-workout Pina Colada. It is a healthy creamy dose of muscle-building soy protein, pineapple and sweet pear that makes it rich-tasting, satisfying and a perfect for post-workout replenisher. It has food reducing actions too and low-in-fat, which makes it an ideal drink for weight loss. The ingredients are:

½ cup soft silken tofu
One ¼ cups pear nectar
½ cup frozen diced pineapple
½ frozen banana, sliced, and
One teaspoon lime juice

Combine the tofu and pear nectar in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. This makes two servings and is packed with 170 calories, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of protein and 3 grams fiber.

Combo smoothie, our last smoothie, is a great fitness combo health drink. It can either be replaced as a meal, used to energize your workout or simply quench your thirst; this super healthy treat can easily become part of your daily routine. It is called the FITNESS Peach Blitz. To prepare this drink, all you need are the following items:

1 cup peeled and chopped peaches
½ cup strongly brewed almond spice tea
¼ cup apricot nectar
¼ cup nonfat frozen vanilla yogurt
¼ to ½ cup crushed ice

Put all the ingredients in a mixer and puree until smooth. Serve immediately. This makes one serving of 16 ounces. Each serving contains 154 calories, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams fat, 3 grams protein and 36 mg of sodium.

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