Healthy Smoothies - A Tasty Tool For Health And Weight Loss

It seems like wherever you turn there is a new smoothie shop opening up to serve you the latest refreshing frozen fruit shake. It seems like wherever you turn there is a new smoothie shop opening up to serve you the latest refreshing frozen fruit shake.

It is easy to see why smoothies are so popular and all the rage.

Smoothies can be so soothing and invigorating. When you are in a hurry they can be a great meal replacement. Plus they are quite yummy and if they are made right they are low in fat.

Smoothies can fill you up so don't feel hungry. They are easy to make, you can grab them and take them on the go -- all huge advantages in our busy lives.

Smoothies are an easy way to pack lots of fruits and vegetables in your meals or snacks and they refresh and energize your nutrition craving body.

What you may not know is smoothies can be a great tool to help you lose weight.

Have you been trying to lose weight? Do you feel like no diet plan will help you succeed? Do you feel desperate to lose weight but just can't seem to diet?

Don't give up. Drinking smoothies to lose weight really does work. You won't feel hungry or deprived or like you are on a diet when you are on a diet with smoothies. In fact, you will never feel hungry because smoothies are so filling. There are also a few tricks to preparing your smoothies and some special ingredients you can add to your smoothies that will assist in you weight loss.

Keep in mind, because smoothies can contain so many different ingredients that not all smoothies are created equal. To lose weight with smoothies you want to be careful that your smoothies have a variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables. You want the majority of the ingredients in your smoothie to be low fat and low calorie -- this does not mean that your smoothie won't be delicious.... on the contrary...you can make smoothies that are highly habit forming because they taste so good!

This is my personal recipe for daily smoothie.

Blueberries
Strawberries
Bananas ( 1 or 2)
water
Silk Soy Milk
1 cup of Silk or Dannon yogurt ( both around 100 calories with active cultures)

Revival Soy Shakes

I chose these ingredients because of all the health benefits. Most other fruits contain too much sugar, for example raspberries. Once in a while I will add mango to the mix, but other than that those are the ingredients. If you are uncomfortable with these ingredients, then just let us know and we will take you off the smoothie list.

Below are the health benefits of our primary ingredients:

Strawberries:
Strawberries are a rich source of phenols. In the strawberry, these phenols are led by the anthocyanins (especially anthocyanin 2) and by the ellagitannins. The anthocyanins in strawberry not only provide its flush red color, they also serve as potent antioxidants that have repeatedly been shown to help protect cell structures in the body and to prevent oxygen damage in all of the body's organ systems. Strawberries' unique phenol content makes them a heart-protective fruit, an anti-cancer fruit, and an anti-inflammatory fruit, all rolled into one. These are just a few of the benefits of strawberries.

Blueberries:
Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, improve the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues). They work their protective magic by preventing free-radical damage, inhibiting enzymes from cleaving the collagen matrix, and directly cross-linking with collagen fibers to form a more stable collagen matrix.

In addition, it has been shown that those with diets rich in blueberries have a better learning capacity and also may reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Bananas:
Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. For example, researchers tracked over 40,000 American male health professionals over four years to determine the effects of diet on blood pressure. Men who ate diets higher in potassium-rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium and cereal fiber, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke. In addition they assist in soothing protection from ulcers, protect your eyesight, have bone building properties, promote kidney health and replenish your body with important electrolytes if you suffer from "elimination" problem

Soy: • Weight Loss Support
• Beautiful Hair, Skin and Nail Appearance Support
• "Smart-Carb" / Low-Glycemic Index Benefits
• Menopause and Perimenopause Discomforts Support
• Promotion of Normal Cholesterol and Heart Health
• Promotion of Normal Bone Health
• Promotion of Normal PMS and Menstrual Health
• Maintenance of Normal Blood Sugar Health
• Promotion of Normal Memory Health
• Promotion of Better Antioxidant Health
• Promotion of Normal Prostate Health
• Support for Colon and Digestive Tract Health
• Support for Normal Kidney Health
• Thyroid & Fertility Health

Yogurt:
Yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures may help you to live longer, and may fortify your immune system. Research studies have shown that increased yogurt consumption, particularly in immunocompromised populations such as the elderly, may enhance the immune response, which would in turn increase resistance to immune-related diseases.

Smoothie recipes that encourage weight loss and improve your health are simple to find online and in many books.

You can hasten your weight loss, boost your energy, enhance your health and improve your appearance all by adding nutritious tasty smoothies to your daily regimen. So try adding smoothies to your menu today and begin to see your extra pounds disappear and the new healthy you begin to emerge.

Follow the above tips to Achieve Healthy, Tasty weight loss!

Dawn Hewett, Dawn studied chemistry, biochemistry and related subjects at FAU in Boca Raton, Fl. She received her BS in Biotechnology in 2002, as well as a Certificate in Biotechnology from the Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CMBB) She has had a lifelong interest in Beauty and health related fields. Dawn continuously educates her collegues, friends and family on these subject matters. She highly recommends the e-book at her website below, which contains nearly 300 pages of beauty and weight loss secrets. In addition, she is offering a free report that contains valuable beauty recipes. http://ultimateguidetogreatskin.com