Smoothie is a thick drink that is usually made from vegetables or fruits with the addition of milk, ice cream or crushed ice. They usually make it in a blender. Smoothie tones up, energizes and good mood. It is useful to drink in the morning, as well as after a hard day's work or intense training. In our article, recipes for smoothies with milk for a blender are selected. But before proceeding directly to the preparation, we will figure out what is so unique about this invigorating drink.
Smoothies: benefits and harms to the body
Starting from the 70s of the last century, this thick drink made from fresh or frozen fruits, berries or vegetables has been forever included in the diet of people who adhere to proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle in general.
Smoothies are the best alternative to juices. During their preparation, the ingredients are crushed whole, directly with pulp, which increases the nutritional value of the finished drink. Additionally, milk, syrup or water is added to the smoothie. The same ingredients help make the consistency of the drink less thick. Although today there are smoothie recipes without milk.
The benefits of a healthy drink to humans are as follows:
- One serving of such a healthy cocktail makes up for the body's daily need for vitamins and minerals.
- Smoothies are a great alternative to sweets. Lovers of sweets before eating just add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup to a thick drink to satisfy the body's need for fast carbohydrates.
- Smoothies contribute to weight loss. This allows you to include it in various diets for weight loss.
- Smoothies normalize the digestive system thanks to fiber as part of natural ingredients.
- A healthy cocktail replenishes the energy reserve after training and helps to build muscle mass.
- Strengthening the immune system during the growth of colds. Smoothies can be prepared not only in summer but also in winter from frozen fruits. Such a drink is in no way inferior in nutritional value to a tonic cocktail of fresh berries.
- Smoothies help improve brain function and memory.
The benefits of such a drink for the body can not be overestimated. However, doctors do not recommend using it as a complete alternative to solid foods. Do not use smoothies if a person is allergic to any of its components.
Banana and milk smoothie
This drink can be called universal. It can be a useful addition to breakfast, serve as a light snack or completely replace the afternoon snack. Preparing a banana smoothie with milk in a blender in just a couple of minutes: just load all the ingredients in a bowl and beat them at high speed until a uniform consistency.
To prepare a cocktail you will need the following ingredients (in 3 servings):
- milk - 600 ml;
- banana - 3 pcs.;
- honey - 3 tsp (optional).
The step-by-step process is as follows:
- Peel the banana and cut into circles.
- Put slices of bananas in a deep container with a volume of at least 1 liter and pour them with milk (chilled or at room temperature).
- Beat the ingredients with a hand blender until the bananas are completely chopped and foam appears on the surface of the drink.
- If desired, you can add a little honey to the smoothie, and then beat the cocktail again.
- Pour the drink into glasses.
Almond Milk Banana Smoothie
The next drink in taste and appearance resembles a thick milkshake. But it is much healthier than a traditional banana smoothie. It contains almond milk, as well as flax seeds, cinnamon, and vanilla. Frozen bananas are used, which makes the cocktail taste like ice cream and thicker in consistency.
The smoothie recipe with milk (almond, soy) consists of the following steps:
- Bananas (2 pcs.) Cut into circles and freeze, sending them to the freezer for 3-4 hours.
- In a bowl of a stationary blender, put frozen bananas, 1 tbsp. l flax seeds, ½ tsp. cinnamon and add 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Pour a cup of almond or soy milk there.
- Beat all ingredients in a pulsating mode from 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the mixture becomes smooth and thick.
Coconut milk and strawberry smoothie
Fresh strawberries can make a large number of summer desserts, pastries and drinks. One of them is a thick cocktail with coconut milk.
The smoothie for this recipe is prepared very simply:
- Sort strawberries (300 g), wash and dry. Send the berries to a blender.
- Shake a jar of coconut milk to make it homogeneous. Add 3-4 tablespoons of such a drink to strawberries.
- Put 1-2 tsp in a blender honey and 5-6 leaves of fresh mint.
- Beat the contents of the blender for 1-2 minutes. Pour the drink into a glass. Add ice cubes to it and garnish with chopped almonds.
To make the cocktail thicker, in the process of whipping, you can add banana to the strawberries.
Spinach & Coconut Milk Smoothie
As you know, vegetarians do not consume dairy products of animal origin. They, like people who adhere to the principles of a healthy diet, replace ordinary milk in recipes with vegetable milk, for example, almond, coconut. The latter is also very useful, since it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland and contributes to weight loss.
Smoothies with milk and spinach for vegetarians should be prepared as follows:
- Rinse a handful of spinach under running water, dry, transfer to a blender.
- Add 100 g of banana and green apple, previously peeled.
- Pour 120-170 g of coconut milk (part of it can be replaced with water).
- Grind all the ingredients in a blender. Drink a drink immediately after preparation.
Milk and cereal smoothie
Nutritionists and gastroenterologists do not recommend refusing breakfast under any circumstances. Even if there is no time to cook a full-fledged oatmeal porridge, you need to at least replace it with a smoothie. Moreover, preparing it is as simple as possible:
- In a blender bowl put a peeled banana, 1 tbsp. l oatmeal, 1 tbsp. l honey.
- Pour 250 ml of milk into the ingredients.
- Beat the smoothie until smooth.
- Instead of a banana, you can use any other berries or fruits. Thus, a daily breakfast is not only healthy and nutritious, but also varied.
Frozen Berry Smoothie with Milk
Tasty, healthy, refreshing, real energy cocktail can be prepared even in winter, using berries frozen in summer. They do not need to be thawed beforehand, and as a liquid base, you can use not only milk, but also yogurt, water or juice. It will turn out no less tasty.
Prepare a smoothie with milk even for a child:
- Remove the berries from the freezer, measure on a scale of 100 g and send them to a glass of a stationary blender. You can use raspberries, black and red currants, blueberries, etc.
- Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar or honey.
- Grind frozen berries in mashed potatoes.
- Pour milk (170 ml) and continue to whisk until a thick and very aromatic cocktail is obtained. Pour it into a tall glass and, if desired, decorate with whole berries from the freezer.
Orange and milk smoothie
In addition to an orange, the composition of such a drink may include other fruits and even vegetables. Smoothie is prepared with the addition of apple, banana, kiwi and even beets. It turns out a very tasty and bright cocktail.
When preparing a traditional smoothie with milk and orange, you must adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- Four ripe oranges sorted into slices. If possible, remove veins, thin film and bones. The result should be a clear, bright orange flesh.
- Transfer peeled oranges to a blender.
- Add 200 ml of milk. Pour a little orange syrup (to taste) or liquid honey if desired.
- Beat smoothie for 60 seconds, pour into a tall glass and garnish with an orange slice.
Similarly, you can make other healthy cocktails. It is enough to replace part of oranges with other fruits, berries, lettuce leaves or vegetables.