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The Ultimate Smoothie Selector

Men's Health

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By the Men's Health editors

Depending on what you toss in them, smoothies offer a wide range of immediate heart-saving, muscle-building, brain-juicing, mood-boosting benefits. We provide the building blocks and the blueprints — all you need to do is liquefy.

BRAIN BOOSTER
The berries here aren't just super food for your brain; they offer an important cancer-fighting bonus.
1/2c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2c fresh or frozen raspberries
1c pineapple OJ
1/2c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1c ice

BERRY BERRY
Using all unsweetened fruit, this recipe delivers an antioxidant whallop without the sugar.
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1 cup soy milk or 1% milk

MEMORY AID
This low-calorie smoothieis a good source of fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries in particular contain compounds that can help prevent cataracts, cancer, constipation, and memory loss.
1/2 c orange juice
1 pint nonfat vanilla or peach frozen yogurt
2 1/2 c sliced peaches
3/4 fresh or frozen blueberries

MUSCLE BUILDER
This mix features the brawn-building power of protein from both peanut butter and whey.
2Tbsp peanut butter
1banana
1/3c whey protein
1/2c fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
1c fat-free milk

BETA BLAST
This smoothie is a muscle-rejuvenating, beta-carotene-filled, orange-colored wonder.
3 small ice cubes
2 apricots (sliced and pitted)
1/2 papaya (frozen in chunks)
1/2 mango (frozen in chunks)
1/2 cup carrots
1 tablespoon honey

HEART HELPER
The fiber from the fruit teams with the artery-protecting antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats of the peanut butter to keep your ticker tickin'.
1banana
1/2c raspberries
1Tbsp peanut butter
1/2c nonfat chocolate frozen yogurt
1c fat-free milk

KICKSTARTER SHAKE
This recipe helps produce wake-up chemicals in the brain.
1 c skim milk
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c strawberries
1 kiwifruit

SMOOTH OPERATOR
The yogurt aids digestion, while the mango and juice boost immune response.
1/2c pitted cherries
1/2c mango
1/2c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1c pineapple OJ
1 c ice

MOOD MAKER
An all-fruit smoothie, packed with carbs to boost your serotonin levels. Add a handful of flaxseeds for an extra dose of mood-boosting omega-3 fatty acids.
1/2c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2c fresh or frozen mango
1c pineapple OJ
1c ice

BETTER BREAKFAST
Less than a minute and you're drinking a better breakfast.
1 banana
1 peach (cut up)
1/4 c orange juice
1 c ice

Why use these ingredients?
Peanut butter
Packed with protein, manganese, and niacin, peanuts can help stave off heart disease and, when eaten in moderation, promote weight loss.

Fat-free milk
All the calcium and protein, none of the fat.

Blueberries
The huge amounts of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, in blueberries have been shown to slow brain decline and reverse memory loss.

Low-fat vanilla yogurt
A cache of calcium and digestion-aiding probiotics in every scoop.

Raspberries
An antioxidant powerhouse bursting with fiber, manganese, and vitamin C, these berries will keep your heart and brain in top shape.

Fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
Calcium, phosphorus, and none of the guilt.

Pineapple-orange juice
OJ has vitamin C, and pineapples contain bromelain, a cancer-inhibiting, inflammation-reducing enzyme.

Cherries
In addition to their vitamin C and fiber content, cherries have been linked to reducing arthritis pain.

Bananas
Heavy on potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6, bananas do wonders for your heart and provide good carbs to keep you full and energized.

Whey protein
Its essential amino acids help pack on the muscle — making whey the best friend of athletes and gym rats.

Frozen mangoes
To their stock of vitamins A and C, mangoes add a healthy dose of beta-carotene, which helps prevent cancer and promotes healthy skin.

Ice
A little H2O never hurt anyone.

Last Updated: 12/04/2006 13:00:37