Cooling Fruit Smoothies

After a long winter, summer’s here and it’s heating up fast, but don’t turn to ice cream and cold soda for relief from the heat. Here are some simple, healthy, fruit-based smoothies you can make yourself; they’ll help keep you going through a long day, either at the office or at home keeping up with a busy family.

Green tea has many health benefits; studies have shown that regular consumption of green tea can improve blood flow and reduce cholesterol. It’s naturally high in antioxidants, helps diabetics keep their blood sugar stable, and may even increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories. This light and delicious recipe adds vitamin-rich honeydew melon and all the antioxidants of honey to supercharge your smoothie with extra nutrition. Check out these 3 superfoods you’re not eating.

Green Tea Smoothie (Eat, Live, Run)

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana

• 1/2 large honeydew melon, cut into chunks

• 3/4 cup strong brewed green tea

• 1 tsp honey

• 1/4 cup almond milk

The resistant starch found in bananas can speed up your metabolism, and bananas are also high in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. This smoothie pairs banana and milk with coffee for a boost that can help you start your day or break up a mid-morning slump, and it’s a great alternative to those overpriced, sugary coffee drinks you can get at the drive-through. You can substitute almond milk, coconut milk, or other non-dairy milk substitute for the low-fat dairy milk this recipe uses.

Coffee and Banana Smoothie (Health.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 sliced peeled banana

• 1 cup 1% low-fat milk

• 1/2 cup cold black coffee

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• 1/2 cup ice

Raspberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber, and studies show that they may even help decrease the risk of obesity and fatty liver. Blackberries are also high in antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and gum disease. Adding in the nutritional benefits of banana and yogurt results in a powerful and tasty smoothie. Feel free to substitute Greek yogurt, any nondairy yogurt, or silken tofu for the yogurt called for in this recipe.

Raspberry Blackberry Smoothie (allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 small banana

• 1/2 cup blackberries

• 1 cup fresh raspberries

• 1 (6 ounce) container vanilla yogurt

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 4 ice cubes