
A smoothie is made in a blender from a mix of ingredients, traditionally fruit, but often includes a combination of ice, milk, yoghurt, honey, chocolate, vegetables, seeds, peanut butter, etc. Unlike juicers, blenders do not extract the liquid (juice) from the plant tissues (fiber). Rather, blenders hold onto all the good stuff. Yep, you can tell that pretentious friend of yours who is 'juicing', that smoothies are a better choice.

Because smoothies contain that wonderful fiber, it takes your body longer to digest, compared to juice. But (and there's always one), let's not forget that blender blades 'cut' and obliterate plant cell walls, liberating their contents. This means your body doesn't have to work as hard or as long to digest it compared to a whole, unpulversised fruit or vegetable.
Here's a definite reason for smoothie lovers to fist bump (or flump, though that sounds a bit suggestive... But I don't mind). As we said earlier, smoothies generally incorporate one or more forms of dairy: Yoghurt and/or milk (sadly, smoothies are not really a place for cheese). But as we know, dairy is an excellent source of protein and many vitamins and minerals. Take that, all you juice junkies.
Smoothies can be ideal meal replacements because they contain fiber and dairy, thus providing a fairly balanced and nutritious option. The dark side of these creamy, blended beauties often lurks in those you find outside your home AKA: The commercial ones. As with anything made by a corporation, they are manufactured to taste as delicious as possible so you buy it again... For smoothies, this means adding plenty of sugar.
The take home messages and tips?

Because smoothies contain that wonderful fiber, it takes your body longer to digest, compared to juice. But (and there's always one), let's not forget that blender blades 'cut' and obliterate plant cell walls, liberating their contents. This means your body doesn't have to work as hard or as long to digest it compared to a whole, unpulversised fruit or vegetable.
Here's a definite reason for smoothie lovers to fist bump (or flump, though that sounds a bit suggestive... But I don't mind). As we said earlier, smoothies generally incorporate one or more forms of dairy: Yoghurt and/or milk (sadly, smoothies are not really a place for cheese). But as we know, dairy is an excellent source of protein and many vitamins and minerals. Take that, all you juice junkies.
Smoothies can be ideal meal replacements because they contain fiber and dairy, thus providing a fairly balanced and nutritious option. The dark side of these creamy, blended beauties often lurks in those you find outside your home AKA: The commercial ones. As with anything made by a corporation, they are manufactured to taste as delicious as possible so you buy it again... For smoothies, this means adding plenty of sugar.
The take home messages and tips?
- Smoothies hold on to fruit and vegetable fiber, where juice does not
- More economical because you're using the whole item, not chucking the majority out
- Smoothies will keep you fuller for longer
- Make your smoothies with low fat milk and/or yoghurt
- Be aware of portion sizes (homemade and bought)
- Just as with juice, you wouldn't eat 4 oranges at once, be mindful of how much fruit you're blending
- Blending doesn't remove calories
- If you're buying, get the small or kiddie size