How to Make a Healthy Fruit Smoothie

After trying many different combinations and methods of making a healthy smoothie, I found one that is delicious and smooth. The best part about making your own smoothies is that you will discover many different combinations, flavors and textures of your own. The following basic smoothie making instructions allow for endless variations. This particular method just happens to work for the right texture and temperature of a smoothie.

The number one must have for a successful and healthy smoothie is ice. Without ice a smoothie just doesn't work. To get the right consistency of ice in the smoothie, you also need an electric blender that is strong enough to crush ice. Sometimes this is indicated by a "crush Ice" button, or the instructions claim in can chop ice.

The ice must be put in the blender first. Use about half a cup of ice or more per serving. To properly crush the ice, you also need add some liquid to the blender. You can use juice, milk, or water depending on what type of smoothie you are making.

Once the liquid and ice are in the blender, run the blender on the ice crushing speed or the highest speed available. Crush the ice until the pieces are very tiny. Turn off the blender. Remove the blender and shake it a bit or use a long spoon to stir up the ice mixture looking for any chunks of ice. Either remove the large chunks, or run the blender again.

The next stage is to add the fruit to the blender. Fruits that work best in smoothies are fresh or frozen berries of any kind, fresh bananas, fresh or canned pineapple, or fresh or canned peaches, or fresh mangoes.

Use watermelon or other melons only in smoothies that will not contain milk.

Avoid using fruit like kiwi which do not blend well.

You could also add any non-fat, low-fat or whole milk or ice cream at this point. Blend.

After the ice and liquid mixture is well-blended with any fruit or dairy products, it's time to add in any extras you may want in the smoothie, including wheat germ, a protein-mix or any other nutrient powder mixes. Blend.

Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and serve with a straw. Be sure not to make too much of the smoothie because it will not hold up well over time. The ice will melt, and certain fresh fruits will not last long once blended.