Smoothie Explained

A smoothie is a beverage made by puréeing ingredients in a blender.[1] A smoothie commonly has a liquid base, such as fruit juice or milk, yogurt or ice cream. Other ingredients may be added, including fruits, vegetables, non-dairy milk, crushed ice, whey powder or nutritional supplements.

History of smoothies

Health food stores on the West Coast of the United States began selling smoothies with the invention of the electric blender.[2] The actual term "smoothie" was being used in recipes and trademarks by the mid-1980s.[3] In the 1960s Steve Kuhnau was inspired by his work as a soda jerk and began experimenting with smoothies. They were an alternative for the lactose intolerant Kuhnau to taste his own concoctions using unique blends of fruit juices, vegetables, protein powder, and vitamins. Kuhnau discovered early success in his smoothie sales and founded Smoothie King. Smoothie King expanded throughout the United States and would pioneer other smoothie businesses such as Jamba Juice. The smoothie was then modified by fast food chains with the addition of sweeter ingredients like chocolate and Splenda.[4] In the 2000s, consumers began making smoothies at home, in part as an alternative for daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.[5]

Nutrition of smoothies

The nutrition of a smoothie depends on its ingredients and their proportions. Many smoothies include large or multiple servings of fruits and vegetables, which are recommended in a healthy diet and intended to be a meal replacement.[6] However, fruit juice containing high amounts of sugar can increase caloric intake and promote weight gain.[7] [8] Ingredients such as protein powders, sweeteners, or ice cream may be used.[9] [10] One study found smoothies to be less satiating, despite providing the same amount of energy as unblended foods.[11]

Types of smoothies

Green smoothie

A green smoothie typically consists of 40–50% green vegetables (roughly half), usually raw green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, celery, parsley, or broccoli, with the remaining ingredients being mostly or entirely fruit.[12] [13] Most green leafy vegetables have a bitter flavor when served raw, but this can be ameliorated by choosing certain less-bitter vegetables (e.g. baby spinach) or combining with fruits or other sweet ingredients.[14]

Protein smoothie

A protein smoothie is a combination of water or milk, protein powder, fruits, and vegetables. They can be consumed any part of the day and are used as protein supplement for those who want to increase their protein intake. Protein powder can have a chalky taste when mixed individually by itself with milk or water. The protein smoothie improves the taste of the protein powder through addition of fruits or other sweeteners.[15]

Yogurt smoothie

A yogurt smoothie is a smoothie that includes yogurt as a protein source and to add a creamy texture to the drink. Greek yogurt, specifically, is included as a thickener (due to its strained consistency) and in order to take advantage of its claimed health benefits.[16]

Around the world

Many different smoothies are part of Indian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Fruit sharbat (a popular West and South Asian drink) sometimes include yogurt and honey, too. In India, the lassi is a smoothie or milkshake comprising crushed ice, yogurt, sugar, and mango; in the south, pineapple smoothies made with crushed ice, sugar and no yogurt are common.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smoothie. https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190038/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/smoothie. October 25, 2018. Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University Press. 2018.
  2. Book: Brown, Ellen . The Complete Idiot's Guide to Smoothies . 2005 . 1-59257-318-5 . 3.
  3. Web site: 2018 . Smoothie . 25 October 2018 . Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper.
  4. Moffitt . Sally . 2014-06-01 . Sources: Food and Drink in American History: A "Full Course" Encyclopedia. . Reference & User Services Quarterly . 53 . 4 . 377 . 10.5860/rusq.53n4.377a . 1094-9054. free .
  5. Walkling-Ribeiro . Markus . Noci . Francesco . Cronin . Denis A. . Lyng . James G. . Morgan . Desmond J. . 2010-09-01 . Shelf life and sensory attributes of a fruit smoothie-type beverage processed with moderate heat and pulsed electric fields . LWT - Food Science and Technology . en . 43 . 7 . 1067–1073 . 10.1016/j.lwt.2010.02.010 . 0023-6438.
  6. Web site: Jeff Olsen . Mayo Clinic Minute: Get smart about smoothies . 25 October 2018 . 26 July 2017.
  7. Web site: Get the Facts: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Consumption . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services . 25 October 2018 . 23 October 2018.
  8. News: Smoothies and fruit juices are a new risk to health, US scientists warn. Boseley. Sarah. 2013-09-07. The Guardian. en-GB. 0261-3077. 2016-03-27.
  9. Web site: Nutrition Extension - Utah State University . Smoothies—Helpful or Harmful?. Darla Stoker . Carrie Durward . 2022-03-01 . en.
  10. Web site: 23 September 2015 . Rethink Your Drink . 25 October 2018 . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services.
  11. Rogers . Peter J. . Shahrokni . Roya . 2018-03-30 . A Comparison of the Satiety Effects of a Fruit Smoothie, Its Fresh Fruit Equivalent and Other Drinks . Nutrients . 10 . 4 . 431 . 10.3390/nu10040431 . 2072-6643 . 5946216 . 29601488. free .
  12. Smith Jones, Susan (2008). Health Bliss, p.179. . "...about 50-60 percent fruit and 40-50 percent greens."
  13. Caldwell, Kim (2009) How Green Smoothies Saved My Life: A Guide for Using Green Smoothies, Uplifted Thinking, and Live Food to Enhance Your Life, p.12. .
  14. Web site: Drink your fruits and vegetables? . Harvard Heart Letter, Harvard Medical School . 25 October 2018 . May 2018 . 25 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190139/https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/drink-your-fruits-and-vegetables .
  15. Web site: How to build a better smoothie, according to a nutritionist . 2022-03-01 . NBC News . en.
  16. Web site: How to build a better smoothie, according to a nutritionist . 2018-05-27 . 2024-01-14 . . Cassetty . Samantha . https://web.archive.org/web/20180527131101/https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/how-build-better-smoothie-according-nutritionist-ncna874006 . 2018-05-27 . en.