Smother me in smoothie!

These revitalising smoothies might just be your next morning addiction!

If you’re one to pull a face when confronted with a bowl of fruits or vegetables then these healthy smoothies will compensate for the loss of vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy diet. They constitute a nourishing breakfast, a delicious snack from time to time, a refreshing dessert alternative and also an energising drink after an intensive workout session. The best part is that you can always play around with different flavours to satisfy your taste buds and derive the best health benefits.

Smoothies retain many healthy nutrients which are often lost when extracting juice from various fruits and vegetables. They also make for a potent, natural detoxifying agent that helps your liver detoxify quickly and naturally.

Here is how you can prepare a quick, custom smoothie to meet your nutritional needs.

Flat tummy

This smoothie has digestion supporting ingredients that help prevent flatulence, bloating and digestive stress that can impair your tummy flattening efforts.

1 cup peaches (sliced)

1 cup papaya

3/4 pear (sliced)

1 tbsp ginger (fresh)

Mint leaves (few)

Water (as per requirement)

Skin saver

This smoothie is a skin saver as it is rich in vitamin C and E that are superb for your skin health, while also being abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids. It helps you fight diseases causing inflammation of any type.This recipe contains berries which are a great source of antioxidants that help fight aging and reduce wrinkle formation. Berries are also effective in controlling blood sugar which spoils your complexion.

1 cup cherries (pitted)

1 cup blueberries

6 strawberries

2 tbsp wheat germ (optional)

2 tbsp flax seeds (grounded)

Water (as per requirement)

Energy booster

This smoothie contains lots of protein and minerals that make it a super energy charger. Cinnamon helps control blood sugar level that means no sudden energy crashes.

1 large banana (ripe)

1 tbsp peanut butter (natural)

Handful of baby spinach (fresh)

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

Water (as per requirement)

Bone lover

This vitamin rich smoothie contains high quantities of calcium and magnesium which is needed for bone health and vitality.

2 bananas

Handful of Swiss chard leaves (stem removed)

Handful of kale leaves

1 tbsp matcha powder (fine powder green tea)

1/2 cup almond milk (homemade)

Antioxidant power

This antioxidant-rich smoothie will boost your immune system to fight against diseases and will give you a healthy, younger-looking body.

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

1 cup pomegranate (kernels)

1/4 cup beet juice (optional)

1 banana

Water (as per requirement)

Skin brightener

According to some studies, a beta-carotene rich diet helps achieve a glowing complexion so enjoy this tasty rewarding smoothie.

1 cup cantaloupe (cubed)

1 cup papaya

Juice of 1 orange (fresh)

1/2 cup carrot juice or water

1 knob fresh ginger

Immune system booster

This smoothie is rich in vitamin A, C and zinc that help in the buildup of white blood cells and antibodies necessary to prevent or put up a fight against seasonal infections.

1 cup mango (cubed)

1 cup cantaloupe (cubed)

1 cup pineapple (fresh/cubed)

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (chopped)

Water (as per requirement)

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 27^th, 2013.

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