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Food for Fitness: Cool Down with a Low-Fat Raspberry Smoothie

posted by ChickSpeak
Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 2:49pm CDT

Sweet summertime is bursting with warm nights, bright flavors, and exciting colors. I don’t know about you, but when the weather is hot, I do not like a heavy meal to eat. Rather, I enjoy a light appetizer with a punch of gusto.I love the symphonic aroma of berries that harmonize with the kitchen air to sing a stimulating song to your nostrils. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and our featured berry the raspberry all have their own particular shape, scent, and taste.

Raspberries, to me, look like a minute cluster of furry red grapes. Their flavor is highly recognizable with a pungent tanginess that is preceded by a fresh sweetness. I was amazed at the levels of manganese and vitamin C these little berries possess both of which help your body to absorb nutrients. Manganese also aids in healthy blood sugar levels.

Raspberries contain almost 50% more anti-oxidants than strawberries. Anti-oxidants fight against those nasty cancer causing free-radicals.

I think that raspberries are a nice accompaniment to many summertime treats such as salads, vinaigrettes, and beverages.

This week, I thought that it would be nice to venture down to the farmer’s market and purchase a couple of pints of fresh home-grown raspberries, and one of my favorite concoctions to make with them is a cool smoothie.

Ingredients

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 ½ cup of fresh raspberries
1 tbsp Agave Nectar
Handful of ice cubes

Toss all these in a blender and liquefy.

I love the agave nectar. You can use honey, however, agave is sweeter, (it is what is used in tequila) and it is healthier. This website says “Fructose is the sugar that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. The carbohydrate in agave nectar has a low glycemic index, which provides sweetness without the unpleasant “sugar rush” and unhealthful blood sugar spike caused by many other sugars.”

Stay cool this summer and try this delightful smoothie. It makes for an excellent breakfast or afternoon snack. You can add other berries or even a banana if you like!

Happy eating!

Fatima Meadows attends Appalachian State University. She loves the fresh flavors of summer, and she can’t wait to sink her teeth into many of her other favorite berries.