Starting your day off with what looks like a milkshake might seem like catering to the kid in you ... and it is. But the adult in you will appreciate the convenience, speed and ... yes, health value of this smoothie. How else, in this busy, mile-a-minute world, are you going to start your day with a good balance of protein, fat and -- yes -- carbohydrates that actually tastes good?
This simple smoothie brings together some nutritional powerhouses, like nonfat yogurt, bananas and peanut butter, in a way that will make you really eager to not skip breakfast. A smoothie can be blended in no time and the ingredients are usually on hand -- just make sure you toss some bananas in the freezer. (I like to do that with any that are threatening to go bad ... either that or make some banana bread or muffins!)
To avoid nasty trans fats, make sure you have natural peanut butter on hand. It tends to separate into oil and solids at room temperature, so it's best to keep in the refrigerator. That's great for this smoothie anyway, since cold peanut butter just makes for a frostier drink ... and that's especially appreciated during the dog days of summer!
As always, I encourage you to share your recipe ideas and comments. You can always post comments in the discussion board using the forms provided in the articles or email me directly at .
Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothies
- 1 frozen banana -- cut into chunks
- 8 oz. nonfat vanilla yogurt
- 2 T. peanut butter
- 1 T. honey
- Skim milk, if necessary
Combine the banana, yogurt, peanut butter and honey in a blender and process until smooth. Add milk to aid the process or to achieve the desired consistency.
- Yields: 2 servings
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes