Refreshing Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Ahh yes, this strawberry banana smoothie was a perfect start to my day after a 1.5 hour session of hot yoga.

Typically, for breakfast, I opt for a delicious bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruit. But because I attended my hot yoga class this morning, by the time I got home, it was already 10 am and I had lunch plans at a dim sum restaurant in a mere two hours. As much as I love myself a comforting bowl of oatmeal, I knew it would make me full for quite some time so I would not have that great of an appetite for lunch.

Hence, this smoothie was the perfect solution for me: it is light, not too filling, and yet so refreshing and tasty. Better yet, it is loaded antioxidants and many other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that contribute to overall good health.

Nutrition Spotlight: Strawberries

We all know fruits like strawberries are great for overall health but what, exactly, makes it so good for us? Here’s why!

As I learned in my Nutrient Metabolism class, strawberries are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. It is low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat.

Dietary fiber: Dietary fiber, as found in fruits like strawberries, helps normalize bowel movements by decreasing the risk of constipation, and helps control blood sugar levels by reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant and functions as an electron donor or reducing agent to protect the body from free radicals, which are, in a nut shell, molecules that contain one or more unpaired electrons in their outer shell and thus have the potential of damaging other molecules in the body such as proteins, phospholipids, and DNA in cells. In other words, Vitamin C stimulates the activity of white blood cells in the immune system that helps us fight against foreign bodies and toxins in the body. Adequate intake of Vitamin C prevents scurvy, a type of vitamin C deficiency that is characterized by signs and symptoms such as easy bruising, bleeding gums, and loose and decaying teeth.

Folate: Adequate intake of folate prevents birth defects such as neural tube defects. Folate also plays a crucial role in the synthesis of DNA in the body.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium, ripe banana

• 1.5 cup of sliced strawberries

• 4 large ice cubes

• 1 cup of water or milk of choice

Optional ingredients:

• 2 tbsp flax or chia seeds

Directions: Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more or less ice cubes depending upon your desired consistency.

Makes approximately 20oz.

Tip: Using frozen bananas and strawberries works perfectly fine as well! I just did not have any frozen in my fridge at the time.

Enjoy!

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