Are smoothies really good for you?

Features

Related Photos

MARK EMMONS

June 23, 2009

By LaDell Emmons The McAlester News-Capital Tue Jun 23, 2009, 11:10 AM CDT

As the weather heats up some people want to chill out with a smoothie. While they may sound healthy there could be hidden calories you are not expecting. When we hear the word smoothie we relate it with being healthy, but even places that promote healthy smoothies may have way too many calories.

The average American gets more than 20 percent of his daily calories from beverages. When the weather warms up many sip down way too many ‘summer drinks’ such as smoothies, shakes or frozen coffee drinks, and these can easily add extra calories.

People often forget they are drinking calories, and while many smoothies have real fruit in them, there are other not-so-healthy ingredients. When you put them all together the calories can add up.

When you’re drinking the fruit it doesn’t register the same in your mind as if you were eating a piece of fruit. If you’re eating fruit you’re aware of the food and the calories and when you eat a whole piece of fruit you’re getting all the fiber and nutrients which may be missing when in the liquid form.

A smoothie that is healthy is made from fruit instead of fruit concentrate and made with plain yogurt instead of ice cream or frozen yogurt. It will also provide all the calcium, vitamin and antioxidant capacity that a smoothie should have.

The best option when treating yourself to a smoothie is to make it yourself. When you make them yourself you can limit you serving size and you will know what you’re putting in it. It’s important to get most of your daily fruit intake from eating whole fruit.

For more information in Pittsburg County, call 423-4120 or log onto www.oces.okstate.edu/pittsburg. LaDell Emmons is the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for the Pittsburg County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. E-mail her at ladell.emmons@okstate.edu.

Text Only

Features

Local singer ready to go national
Singer Joanie Brooks has a song in her heart — and she’s ready to share it with the nation.

February 11, 2012 2 Photos
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Viral video: Grizzly bear cub, wolf cub play together
It’s like something out of a children's book: A bear cub meets a wolf cub and they become the best of friends. Even though they are different species and ferocious predators, the unlikely couple stays pals for life.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Globetrotters stop into McAlester for World Championship game
On Monday, the Harlem Globetrotters chose McAlester as a stop on their World Championship Tour.

February 7, 2012 23 Photos 1 Story
McAlester soldier saw 511 days of combat in World War II
Andrew “Andy” Jackson Crittenden got to see Europe as a young man — along with his fellow GI’s who fought their way across Italy, France and Germany in some of World War II’s fiercest battles.

February 4, 2012 2 Photos
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
VIDEO: NFL Experience a hit with Super Bowl fans
The NFL's interactive theme park pre-sold more than 65,000 tickets for Super Bowl week and has become the destination of choice for visitors to Indianapolis.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
SLIDESHOW: Madonna hypes Super Bowl halftime show Madonna answers questions from the media during a news conference to hype the halftime show for Super Bowl XLVI.
February 2, 2012
SLIDESHOW: Super Bowl by the numbers The nation's biggest sporting event produces some staggering statistics, from the number of chicken wings consumed -- 1.25 billion -- to the amount of money some people plan to bet on the game.
February 2, 2012
VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
More than 18,000 people descended on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day celebration.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
More Features Headlines

It's awards season? Which 85th Academy Award nominated movie for Best Picture is your fave?

Features

Search Results

Related Photos

Are smoothies really good for you?

It's awards season? Which 85th Academy Award nominated movie for Best Picture is your fave?

Site Map

Contact Us