Doesn't ‘apple smoothie’ sound more interesting than just eating a plain apple? Smoothies have transformed our outlook towards the consumption of many such fruits or vegetables, even those that we may not be fond of. You can make it in so many interesting ways. It is delicious, healthy and keeps you full for a long time. An apple smoothie is almost a meal in itself. Whether you are on a weight-loss routine or simply looking to add include more nutritious variety to your menu, this smoothie is a great choice.
Health benefits of an apple smoothie
1. Fibre: Our body requires lots of fibre to aid digestion. Also, we need both soluble and insoluble fibre for this purpose and a whole apple contains both of these.
2. Immune system: An apple smoothie is a great source of Vitamin C which plays an integral role in strengthening the immune system.
3. Antioxidant-rich: It is filled with antioxidants which may go a long way in the prevention of certain types of cancer.
4. Weight loss: It keeps you satiated for a long time, thereby curbing the need to overeat and aiding weight loss.
5. Protein-rich: The ingredients used in an apple smoothie make it a naturally protein-rich meal. Proteins are the building blocks of every cell and aid in the repair of damaged muscles and tissues.
Ingredients required to make an apple smoothie
An apple smoothie’s ingredients can vary depending on what you’d like to add to it and how healthy you want to make it.
Here’s a list of ingredients you can choose to include in your apple smoothie recipe:
· Fresh and good quality apples (These are necessary!)
· Milk (you can choose to use cow milk, low-fat milk, coconut milk, oats milk)
· Yoghurt (you can select from a wide variety such as greek yoghurt, low-fat yoghurt, etc.)
· Chia seeds or a mixed powder of multiple varieties of seeds such as sunflower, flaxseed along with chia.
· Dates, date syrup, peanut butter, organic honey, maple syrup (use any sweetener)
· Chopped berries (preferably fresh ones to increase its nutritive value)
· Bananas (if you aim to gain weight)
· Cinnamon powder
· Rolled oats
· Vanilla essence
Process of making apple smoothie
There are many types of apple smoothie recipes. You can select a variety of ingredients to be added. The preferences range from extremely simple ones to those that include several ingredients. The only difference will be the change in taste and nutrition value depending on what you choose to add. Here is how to make an apple smoothie that is both nutritious and tasty.
Ingredients:
· 1 medium apple
· 1/3rd cup oats
· ½ frozen banana (optional)
· ¼ cup milk or yoghurt
· 2-3 drops of Vanilla essence
Any sweetener (optional)
½ teaspoon chia seeds or mixed seeds powder (For topping)
· ½ teaspoon cinnamon
· 4 Ice cubes
· For Topping: Chopped berries
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serving: 1
Blend all the ingredients in a high-speed jar or blender. Check the smoothie for its consistency as some prefer it thick and creamy while a few prefer it thin in texture (use cubes for this purpose). Top it up with chopped berries to give it that extra flavour and nutritive value.
How to choose apples for apple smoothies
Your apple smoothie will taste good depending on the choice of apples you use in it. Here is what to look for when selecting them:
1. Fresh: Opt for fresh and good quality apples.
2. Size: Medium-sized apples are a good pick for portion management.
3. Texture: The apple should be soft and juicy. This is because crispy apples are hard to blend. They might taste nice when eaten separately but for a smoothie, pick one that will break down easily.
4. Wax: Check for wax coating on the apples. Don’t use the apple peel into the smoothie. That will defeat the purpose of keeping it high in nutrition.
5. Local Variety: Select apples that are either picked from a nearby farm or ones that are grown in your own country.
How to make different variations of apple smoothies
The basic way to make an apple smoothie is by adding in apples, milk or yoghurt, a sweetener (optional) and blending it. The variations of apple smoothies completely depend on the specific flavour and nutritive value that you require.
Take a look at the many variations in which an apple smoothie can be made using different ingredients or fruit combinations:
· Apple Oats Smoothie
· Apple Blueberry Smoothie
· Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie
· Apple Banana Smoothie
· Apple Protein Smoothie
· Apple Orange Smoothie
· Apple Strawberry Smoothie
· Green Apple Smoothie
· Apple Pomegranate Smoothie
· Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
Calorie Count of Apple Smoothie
The calorie count of an apple smoothie varies depending on the quantity and number of ingredients you include. It can range anywhere between 109 calories to even 430 calories. For example, if you add protein powder to the apple smoothie, the count will go up as one scoop of protein powder can amount to 110 calories or even more. Also, adding a sweetener or lots of ingredients will increase the calorie count.
Tools and Utensils Required for Preparation
Here’s a list of tools and utensils required for the preparation of an apple smoothie:
· 1 Knife
· 1 Peeler (in case you need one)
· 1 Cutting Board (if you prefer one)
· 1 small bowl
· 1 spoon
· 1 glass or a fancy mug you’d like to serve your smoothie in
· 1 blender or a high-speed mixer/jar
While there are special apple cutters that you can use to dice the apple, a knife would also do a good job. The utensils are very easily available in our kitchens, however, to make a good smoothie the most essential equipment is a functional and good quality blender. That will decide how well the smoothie turns out so before making a smoothie, ensure that you have a good one in place.
Summary of the Entire Process
By now, you would have understood ‘how to make apple smoothie’ in an easy way. Simply use a good quality apple, add in your choice of milk or yoghurt, sweetener if required, include seeds or berries either at the time of blending or once it is made as a topping.
You can also choose to make a simple apple shake on days you might not have other ingredients. In that case just use chopped apple, milk of your choice, blend it and serve it in a glass. It is sure to keep your hunger at bay for a good duration and can be your go-to breakfast or mid-meal on your busy days.
Conclusion
At a time when we are mostly occupied with lots of responsibilities, it has become paramount to prioritise our health. Therefore, opting for easy, healthy and tasty recipes is the shortest and best way. Including an apple smoothie in your diet will certainly be beneficial for you.
FAQs
1. Is an apple smoothie a healthy choice?
Yes, an apple smoothie is a very healthy choice. The basic ingredients used in it are all healthy – the apple in itself, yoghurt or milk, plus the addition of omega-3 in the form of seeds or berries makes it a nutrition-dense drink.
2. Which is the best apple smoothie?
There are lots of best apple shakes or apple smoothie recipes that you can try such as Apple Oatmeal Smoothie, Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie, Apple Date Smoothie, Apple Cinnamon Smoothie, etc.
3. Is an apple smoothie easy to make?
Yes, an apple smoothie is very easy to make. You just need to have the basic ingredients in place and you are good to go.