Episode 13: Why it is important to build a smoothie?

• Brief Summary of objectives:
• Pros and cons of smoothies
• What do you put in a smoothie?
• How to build the perfect smoothie

Topic 1: Pros and Cons

Our bodies need a variety of fruits and vegetables to be healthy. Fruits and vegetables have been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risks of eye and digestive problems and have a positive effect on blood sugar. With all of those benefits, what’s not to love? The reality is that on 1 in 10 Americans are consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and health problems over time. We know that there are many factors that may affect our willingness and ability to consume 3-5 cups of fruits and veggies a day, such as time, cooking skills, and motivation. To help with this, we are here today to talk about how you can increase your fruit and vegetable consumption with a little bit of planning through a delicious and convenient smoothie.

Topic 2: Equipment

To make a smoothie, you will need a blender, measuring cups, your favorite smoothie recipe and if you are planning to prepare pre-portioned smoothie bags that can be made ahead of time and stuck in the freezer, some freezer Ziplock style bags.  Recipes are super easy to find using a quick search. My (Ashleigh's) recommendation is to choose a recipe that doesn’t have too many ingredients, but still provides a nutritious snack.

Topic 3: How to Build the Perfect Smoothie

Call to action: Create your perfect smoothie to your daily consumption?