With the heat of summer at its peak, fresh fruits are everywhere. There are more ways to savour a fresh, juicy slice of your favourite banana, the tempting orange or the king of fruits, mango, than just tearing them with a knife or peeling them; one of those fun ways is by making smoothies.

Smoothies are soothing and invigorating yet low in fat, at the same time. They pull double duty–quenching thirst and satisfying hunger. Fruit smoothies can be an easy way to nourish your body with essential nutrients, hence keeping you healthy. No dehydration and sweet treats. Could you ask for anything more?

So here are 4 quick-fix smoothie recipes that will give you a refreshing start to a warm day:

1. Apple Smoothie

smoothies

Photo by Aakanksha Joshi

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples (chopped)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Put the apple, yogurt, ground cinnamon and honey in blender and blend until they get smooth, with no chunks of fruit visible.
2. Add milk and ice cubes and blend again at a high speed for 20-30 seconds.
3. Your wine-colored delight is ready.

2. Mango Smoothie

smoothies

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 mango (diced)
  • 2/3 cups milk
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Keep the chopped mangoes in the freezer for sometime.
2. Then in the blender, combine frozen mango, milk and sugar.
3. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
4. Appease your taste buds by playing with the quantity of milk.

3. Chocolate Smoothie

smoothies

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 3/4 cups chocolate low fat frozen yogurt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • Dark chocolate shavings for garnish

Directions:

1. Process frozen yogurt, cocoa and milk in blender until the mixture is smooth.
2. Pour it into a glass and garnish with chocolate shavings.

4. Banana Smoothie

smoothies

Photo by Aakanksha Joshi

Ingredients:

  • 1 banana (peeled and chopped)
  • 1/2 cup yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Add chopped banana pieces, a little yogurt, water (or milk) and a touch of honey into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. You can make it more colourful by adding fine chopped strawberry pieces on top.