How to Cut the Fat in Smoothies

Who doesn't love a fresh fruit smoothie? But did you know that smoothies can be loaded with fat? It's true. Many restaurant-bought smoothies contain ingredients like heavy cream, whipped cream and other ingredients that add unneeded fat and calories. That's why it's best to make smoothies at home. But, how do you avoid adding extra fat? The key is knowing which ingredients to use to get the best flavor with the least amount of fat. Best of all, you'll also be adding great nutrition.

Use Almond Milk

You obviously need a bit of liquid in your smoothies or you could burn out your blender. While many restaurants use heavy cream or whole fat milk, one way you can cut the fat is to use almond milk. An 8 ounce serving has only 2.5 grams of fat and the average smoothie recipe uses ½ cup or less liquid. Now, let's compare that to heavy cream and whole milk. Heavy cream contains 44 grams of fat in a half cup and whole milk contains almost 4 grams. While whole milk is a much better choice than heavy cream, almond milk is still the clear winner. Best of all, if you're lactose intolerant, almond milk is the best choice because it contains no lactose.

Add Fat Free Yogurt for Creaminess

One of the things that most people love about a smoothie is the creamy texture. While whole fat yogurt does add a pleasing taste, it can also add fat. One cup of plain yogurt contains almost 4 grams of fat. Why add that extra fat if you don't have to? Using fat free yogurt, especially a flavored yogurt, doesn't affect the taste. Best of all, it's a great way to add calcium to your day. If you want something really special, use fat free frozen yogurt in your smoothie for a summer treat.

Bulk Up a Smoothie With Ice

Many people find satisfaction in quantity. A great way to stretch your smoothie without adding more fat is to use ice. Ice not only bulks up a smoothie, but adds great texture as well. If you don't want to use plain ice, use frozen fruit instead. Strawberries, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, kiwis and mangoes are all low in fat. You can even find frozen fruit mixes in the grocery store that are perfect for frozen drinks. Just be sure to read the label. Some brands add sugar and other ingredients to their frozen fruit.

Avoid Unnecessary Fat

There are a lot of ingredients added to smoothies that are unnecessary. These ingredients are not only unnecessary, but add lots of fat. A few examples include ice cream, peanut butter, avocados, coconut, whipped cream, ice cream toppings and nuts. If the item seems more appropriate for a milkshake than a healthy smoothie, chances are you should skip it. More importantly, don't ruin a healthy smoothie by adding unnecessary toppings. A healthy smoothie made with fruits, fat free yogurt, ice and almond milk is all you really need. If you must use additional ingredients, look for reduced fat or fat free versions, such as reduced fat peanut butter or low fat ice cream.