3 Smoothies That Pack a Nutritional Punch

SHAPE magazine

Smoothies are like the food equivalent of a Chanel handbag--reliable, classic, and they never go out of style. No matter what the season, we've got three delicious smoothie to suit every taste. Read on for smoothie recipes that are full of nutrients and flavor!

1. Avocado smoothie: Avocados are loaded with healthy fat, fiber, and B vitamins, which your body needs in order to maintain healthy nerves and brain cells. To get your daily dose of B, blend up this Brazilian-inspired smoothie recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups of low-fat milk
1 large ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of honey or agave nectar
ice, to taste
Directions: Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

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2. Citrus smoothie: This tart and sweet smoothie makes the perfect guilt-free dessert. Plus, pineapple is an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin C and manganese.
Ingredients:
1 cup Ocean Spray 100 percent grapefruit juice, any flavor
1 cup of fresh or canned pineapple chunks (if canned, drain first)
1/2 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt
Directions: Put all ingredients into a blender. Cover and blend on high speed until ingredients are thoroughly combined.

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3. Cherry-Vanilla breakfast smoothie: Get your day off to a delicious start with this guilt-free, creamy smoothie. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ranked cherries 14th out of the top 50 foods for their antioxidant power. They came ahead of well-known antioxidant powerhouses like red wine and dark chocolate.
Ingredients:
1 cup of nonfat milk
2 cups of unsweetened frozen cherries
2 cups of frozen raspberries
2 cups of frozen low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 cups of ice
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Serve immediately.
Boost Nutrition: Stir in 1/2 cup silken tofu before blending to add 23 calories, 32 mg calcium, 1 g fat, and 2 g protein . Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds before blending to add 8 calories, 2 g fat, and 1 g fiber.

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