Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Healthy Smoothie Recipes

If you're powering up for a workout, hankering for a mid-morning snack, or looking for a way to drink more fruits and veggies, check out these creamy, dreamy smoothies.

First up, Banana-Agave Smoothie.

Combining bananas and blueberries with creamy, fat-free yogurt and a hint of agave nectar makes for a rich and satisfying smoothie that's also low in fat. Agave nectar comes from the agave plant–it's sweeter than honey and can be found in most grocery stores. This smoothie fuels you up with a healthy dose of potassium, vitamins C and B6, and plenty of antioxidants.

View Recipe: Banana-Agave Smoothie

Photo: John Autry

Peanut Butter, Banana, and Flax Smoothies

Peanut butter and banana smoothies are usually a splurge item. Luckily, we have a healthy version that doesn't skimp on flavor. If the smoothies seem too thick, add another tablespoon or two of milk.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter, Banana, and Flax Smoothies

Photo: Oxmoor House

Peach-Mango Smoothie

This tropical-tasting smoothie is going to make you feel like you're on an island vacation soaking up the sun--even if you’re stuck in rush hour traffic on the interstate. This recipe calls for frozen fruit, making it a cinch to prepare in the morning.

View Recipe: Peach-Mango Smoothie

Berry and Banana Smoothies

This healthy smoothie recipe uses fat-free plain Greek yogurt to achieve its smooth consistency. A variety of fresh fruit and a dollop of honey make this one a keeper.

View Recipe: Berry and Banana Smoothies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Banana Breakfast Smoothie

Prepare this protein-packed smoothie and take along a handful of granola for a quick breakfast on the go. Adding the yogurt at the very end imparts a creamy texture to the smoothie.

View Recipe: Banana Breakfast Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Each serving of this low-calorie smoothie offers a half-cup of vegetables, plus a little fruit. This refreshing sipper will soon be a favorite.

View Recipe: Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Blueberry Power Smoothie

If you're looking for something to help you power up before a workout, look no further. Give your metabolism and muscles a boost with this low-fat smoothie. Silken tofu makes it creamy while adding 4 grams of protein per serving.

View Recipe: Blueberry Power Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Pineapple Lassi

A frothy South Indian yogurt-based beverage, lassi often contains seasonal fruit and spices. This recipe yields a drink that's a bit thinner than the average smoothie.

View Recipe: Pineapple Lassi

Photo: William Dickey

Sunshine Smoothie

This slightly sweet, thick drink is a great snack or part of a breakfast: Just one serving offers about one-third of the day's vitamin C and vitamin A and about 10 percent potassium in a low-calorie package.

View Recipe: Sunshine Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Fresh Cherry Smoothie

Come summer, a cherry pitter is a wise, inexpensive investment. It makes simple work of prepping the fruit for this smoothie. You can use it to pit olives, as well.

View Recipe: Fresh Cherry Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

With plenty of fruit, fiber, and protein, this quick shake is a sweet snack you can feel good about. You can also enjoy a larger serving as a healthful breakfast. Look for canned passion fruit nectar with other bottled and canned juices or in the Latin food section of your grocery store. If you can't find it, substitute pineapple juice.

View Recipe: Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

Frozen bananas, graham cracker crumbs, and vanilla extract are a few of the ingredients that make this smoothie a rich dessert in a glass. Because it calls for low-fat yogurt and fat-free milk, one serving of this drink gives you about the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk.

View Recipe: Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Blackberry-Peach Smoothie with Walnuts

This smoothie is rich in antioxidants and fiber from berries, potassium from peaches, omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, vitamin C from orange juice, and soy isoflavones from tofu. Use calcium-fortified orange juice for added nutrition.

View Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Smoothie with Walnuts

Photo: Randy Mayor

Vanilla Honey-Nut Smoothie

Start with creamy frozen yogurt and add peanut butter, milk, and honey for a nutty sweet treat. Silken tofu and ground flaxseed help this smoothie stick with you throughout an afternoon of running errands.

View Recipe: Vanilla Honey-Nut Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Orange-Banana Smoothie

This creamy, refreshing drink is great for breakfast, after a workout, or as a midday pick-me-up. Use any flavored yogurt you like--strawberry makes the smoothie pink, while blueberry turns it purple.

View Recipe: Orange-Banana Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Batido de Mango (Mango Smoothie)

Spice up a Mexican-inspired evening with a mango smoothie infused with the warm molasses flavor of brown sugar. Serve the slushy cocktail over ice.

View Recipe: Batido de Mango (Mango Smoothie)

Photo: Karry Hosford

Tofu Fruit Smoothies

If you're looking for the elusive non-dairy smoothie, this is it. White grape juice, honey and silken tofu bring a wonderful consistency to this mixed-berry and banana sipper.

View Recipe: Tofu Fruit Smoothies

Photo: Randy Mayor

Sunrise Smoothie

We tried this smoothie with 2% reduced-fat milk but liked it much better with the soy milk. Any kind of fruit will work—try strawberries or peaches.

View Recipe: Sunrise Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Banana-Mango Smoothie

Start your day with a flavorful fruit smoothie. This drink is as delicious as breakfast, but also serves well as an afternoon snack or even a frosty dessert.

View Recipe: Banana-Mango Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Blackberry Smoothie

You can use any fresh or frozen berry in this shake. It's easy to take to the office in a small insulated container for a quick breakfast on the go.

View Recipe: Blackberry Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

Banana Pumpkin Smoothie

Frozen banana gives this pumpkin smoothie a thick texture; chilling the pumpkin ensures the smoothie stays cold when you blend it. Add in yogurt and orange juice and you have a breakfast beverage with 740 milligrams of potassium per serving.

View Recipe: Banana Pumpkin Smoothie

Photo: Karry Hosford

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie

Try this thick and creamy peanut butter smoothie as a nutritious breakfast or an indulgent after-dinner treat.

View Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Banana-Berry Smoothie

Frozen mixed berries and dry milk help keep cost and preparation to a minimum for this anytime smoothie. Blend with banana, yogurt, sugar, and orange juice for a citrus accent. Substitute other frozen fruits, like peaches, for fun variety.

View Recipe: Banana-Berry Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Mango Lassi

This sweet Indian-style, smoothie-like drink is a blend of fresh mango, tangy plain yogurt, and milk. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products to keep saturated fat in check while delivering healthful calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

View Recipe: Mango Lassi