Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Summer

Keep healthy and hydrated this summer with… bananas!

Summer is almost here and what better way to get ready than to read up on some great healthy smoothie recipes to get you through those long hot days. When the weather is warm and sticky, sometimes you just want to skip a meal. A  healthy smoothie made with the goodness of Chiquita bananas is a great substitute for a traditional breakfast or lunch – and do we have some recipes for you!

Non-alcoholic mixed drinks are seen as the hottest choice for this health-conscious but fun-loving generation because of the rapidly increasing awareness of the need to consume food and drink that benefit the body.  Millennials also want this to be a really enjoyable experience.

Adding a delicious Chiquita banana to a health drink is the perfect way to ensure a smoothie or mocktail ticks all these boxes – Chiquita bananas contain a great spread of vitamins and minerals and are also perceived as tasting better than other brands. Below, we raise a glass to a selection of fabulous, spirit-free, easy power fruit smoothie recipes.

Chiquita Banana Ginger Tea Mocktail

• 2 cups of green tea (or kombucha)
• Thumb-sized piece of raw ginger
• One Chiquita banana
• Juice of two limes
• Half a teaspoon of turmeric
• Teaspoon vanilla essence
• Two teaspoons honey
• Ice

Method

For this spicy treat filled with Vitamin C, pour two cups of boiling water over two bags of green tea and a grated, thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger. Allow to cool before straining and then add the green tea mixture, vanilla, turmeric, a tasty Chiquita banana, honey and the lime juice. Blend together and add crushed ice before serving.

Pink Sunrise mocktail with Chiquita bananas and watermelon

• Chiquita bananas
• One grapefruit
• Three slices of watermelon
• Two cups of sparkling water
• One lemon
• Mint to garnish

Method

Blend two Chiquita bananas with half a grapefruit, three quarters of a cup of sparkling water and one squeezed lemon. Set this mixture aside and in another bowl blend one and a half cups of sparkling water with the three slices of watermelon and the second half of the grapefruit. To serve, fill half of the glass with the red juice and top up with the second juice and then garnish with a piece of watermelon and mint.

Frozen smoothie with Chiquita bananas and peaches

• One and half Chiquita bananas
• Two peaches
• Two and a half cups    water
• One lemon (zest + juice)
• Two tblsp of pistachio nuts
• Half a pomegranate

Method

Grate the lemon zest in a separate bowl. Cut up one banana and grind the pieces together with the peaches, the lemon juice and the water to a smooth mixture. Pour the mixture into a low metal baking tray and put it on the freezer for an hour. When the mix freezes, stir with a fork to create ice crystals. Put the mixture in glasses and garnish with half of the banana, the pomgranade, lemon zest and pistachio nuts.

Tropical banana colada shake with coconut water

• Two Chiquita bananas
• Two cups of coconut water
• Two cups of mango juice
• Three sprigs of mint
• Two limes

Method

Chop the Chiquita bananas in pieces and blend them with the coconut water, mango juice and a lime. Pour the juice into the glasses and garnish with the second lime and sprigs of mint according to taste preferences.

Chiquita Banana Avocado Smoothie

• One Chiquita banana, cut into chunks and frozen
• One cup of mango chunks, frozen
• One avocado, cut into chunks
• One cup of Swiss chard
• Two teaspoons of chia seeds
• One cup of almond or soy milk (according to preference)
• Two teaspoons of honey

Method

For a creamy, super-healthy green smoothie, blend all the ingredients together and serve in tall glasses.

Chiquita Banana Orange Frostie

• One cup orange juice
• Dash of fresh lime juice
• One cup almond or soy milk (or skimmed dairy milk according to preference)
• One Chiquita banana
• One cup lemonade

Method

For a tingly treat to boost your vitamin C intake, blend all ingredients except the lemonade until smooth. Add lemonade and enjoy with curls of orange or lime peel placed on top.

Get involved in the conversation online by using #Chiquitabanana or find more banana mocktail, banana shake and healthy smoothie recipes  HERE