With the summer heat in full swing, trying to find ways to stay cool can be a challenge. One of the best ways to boost your fluid intake is to incorporate these summer smoothie recipes into your diet. Not only are they delicious, but they can also be a highly nutritious treat.
What makes a smoothie healthy?
Smoothies are often included in diets as healthy options because they are made with lots of nutritious fruits and vegetables. In order to keep your smoothies healthy, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, as they pack lots of flavor and nutrients. If you can’t find certain fresh produce in your area, frozen fruits work, too. Even when frozen, they still provide nutritional benefits and are a convenient choice.
While smoothies can be healthy, some are made with tons of added sugars. Do your best to avoid smoothies that aren’t made with all-natural ingredients, as they can quickly become an unhealthy choice due to higher sugar content. In order to prevent the sneaky calories and added sugars, make your smoothies at home with these delicious and nutritious summer smoothie recipes!
1. Strawberry, Mango & Pineapple Smoothie
It’s a little bit of paradise… but in a glass! This combination of strawberries, mango, orange juice and pineapple can make you feel like you’re on a tropical island. Mango is rich in fiber and vitamin A, and is important for healthy vision. Orange juice, which is rich in vitamin C, provides immunity support. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and contain many antioxidants that may help heart health, while controlling blood sugar levels. Pineapples are also known for helping reduce inflammation.
How to make it: In a blender, combine 1 cup of diced frozen mango, 5 frozen strawberries, 1 cup of diced pineapple, and 1 cup of orange juice. Puree for 1-2 minutes until smooth and enjoy!
2. Blueberry Banana Smoothie
This energy-boosting smoothie is a revitalizing summer drink that keeps you ready for the next adventure. Bananas are a great source of energy, while being low in cholesterol and fat. Blueberries provide vitamins, such as vitamin C and K, which help improve immunity, bone health and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes.
How to make it: Combine 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 banana, and 1 cup of almond milk in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Tip: Add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder to turn this tasty smoothie into a post-workout recovery drink. Want even more energy and protein? You can also add 1 tablespoon of peanut or almond butter to your smoothie.
3. Orange, Strawberry & Banana Breakfast Smoothie
Don’t have enough time to sit down and have breakfast? Make this breakfast smoothie! This is one of our favorite summer smoothie recipes because it’s great for boosting your immune system and keeping you full until it’s lunchtime.
Strawberries and oranges are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Bananas add even more vitamin C and potassium to the drink giving you energy and aiding in digestion.
How to make it: Combine 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 cup of strawberries, and 1 to 1 1/2 ripe bananas in a blender. Then add ice and blend until smooth, or refrigerate until cool.
4. Honeydew Smoothie
Honeydew season peaks in the summer months, making it a perfect ingredient for your summer smoothie recipes. This light and refreshing melon is a natural source of electrolytes and water, helping you stay hydrated in the heat.
How to make it: In a blender, mix together 2 cups of honeydew melon, cubed, 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt, 2 tablespoons of apple juice and ice. Once smooth, pour into a cup and garnish with Honeydew melon slices and enjoy!
5. Green Smoothie
Green smoothies are a perfect way to include vegetables in your diet. While there are many different summer smoothie recipes for green smoothies, it’s easy to get creative by making your own recipes!
To keep your green smoothies tasting sweet, follow a 60 percent fruit to 40 percent green vegetables ratio. Use this formula to create your own recipes at home: 2 cups of leafy greens, 2 cups of a liquid (such as almond milk or coconut water), and 3 cups of fruit.
How to make it: Try one of our favorite green green smoothie recipes. In a blender, combine 2 cups of spinach or kale, 2 cups of coconut water, 1 cup of frozen mango, 1 cup of pineapple, and 2 bananas. Blend until smooth.
6. Watermelon Smoothie
There’s nothing quite as thirst-quenching as fresh watermelon in the summertime. This smoothie makes it easy to stay hydrated, as watermelon is made up of 92 percent water! They are also rich in vitamins A and B6, supporting healthy vision and immune system support.
How to make it: Blend 3 cups seedless watermelon (frozen and cut into chunks), 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, 3 tablespoons of honey until smooth.
7. Piña Colada Smoothie
If you like piña coladas (and getting caught in the rain), then you’ll love this summer smoothie recipe. This piña colada-inspired refreshment will keep you cool all summer long. Coconut water is a flavorful way to keep your body hydrated, and provides antioxidants that may support heart health, prevent kidney stones, and promote healthy blood sugar levels. Pineapples also have anti-inflammatory effects and boost your immune system.
How to make it: First, make ice cubes out of coconut water. Once you’re ready to make the smoothie, blend 2 cups chopped pineapple, 2 cups of Greek yogurt, 1 cup of coconut sorbet, 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut milk, 3/4 cup of coconut water, 1/4 cup of shaved fresh coconut, and 6 coconut ice cubes in a blender until creamy and smooth. YUM!
Make it a Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowls have become all the rage and are a fun way to eat your smoothie instead of drinking it. The smoothie bowl has a thicker consistency, making it easier to eat with a spoon. Just add a few ice cubes to any of the summer smoothie recipes above to thicken it up, and serve in a bowl.
Smoothie bowls include nutritious toppings that take your smoothie to the next level and make the drink a complete snack or meal option. Some common toppings include:
- Fresh fruit
- Chopped nuts
- Nut butters
- Coconut flakes
- Granola
- Chia or flax seeds
- Shaved dark chocolate
If you’re trying to stay fit and healthy this summer, we can help! At UpFresh Kitchen we have ready-to-eat meals available for pickup or delivery that can pair perfectly with your favorite summer smoothie recipes. Our menu is designed to make it easy for you to get all of the nutrients your body needs to function properly and in the right portions.
Don’t forget, each week the menu changes so be sure to look for the new meals and side items available by clicking the button below!
