Info on Sugar Intake & Delicious & Healthy Smoothie Recipes - Yuuuuuumy!

Hello gorgeous gals! I thought I would share some awesome smoothie recipes with you today. These are two of my absolute favorites. They taste great, have no added refined sugars, are great for your body and soul, are easy to digest (with the added bonus of good gut bacteria from the yogurt) and hit the spot when you are craving something cold, sweet and yummy. You can use any combination of fresh, frozen or canned fruits for these recipes, but make sure to get fruit with no added sugar, corn syrup or other sweetners or artificial colorings or favorings. Organic fruit or farmer's market fruit is always best. If you go to the store, I recommend reading labels! If you purchase canned fruit, make sure it is canned in fruit juice not other sweetners. Also, I often make these smoothies into meals by adding 1 Tablespoon of nut butter (whichever is your favorite) and topping them with fresh fruit pieces and/or granola - make sure to read labels on your granola too, often times traditional granola purchased at the store is loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients.

Just as a guide, I eat about 30g or less (most times less) of sugar in the form of honey, organic cane sugar, brown rice syrup, pure maple syrup or agave nectar per day. The recommended amount is 40g (the equivalent of 10 teaspoons, or 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon) or less of sugar per day for every 2,000 calories consumed. I don't consume 2,000 calories in a day, so I shoot for 30g or less. When you think about it, it seems like a low amount, but it really isn't considering I eat as much fresh, frozen or canned fruit as I want (as long as it doesn't have added sugars), which is very satisfying! I don't drink soda and I eat lots of other healthy foods to keep me full and satisfied, and my metabolism even so I don't crave sugar out of hunger. It's amazing how little I crave sugar now because I'm not addicted to it anymore. I used to crave sugar and corn syrup foods all the time because I consumed it all the time.

Another hint: if you let yourself indulge in one fabulous, rich & sweet treat a day, you will feel more satisfied. As an example, I will save up most of my "sugar allowance" for the day so I can really enjoy a great dessert.

Banana, Peach & Mango Smoothie

You will need:

* 1 small banana (the riper the banana, the sweeter the smoothie) * 1 small peach * 1/2 inch mango cubes (as many as you like) * 3/4 cup plain yogurt (organic is best & soy, rice or other variations work fine) * 1/4 cup canned coconut milk (make sure it doesn't have added sugar, corn syrup or other sweetners, just plain coconut milk) * milk to blend (soy, rice or other variations work great too)

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy! Add nut butter or top with fruit and granola for added nutrition & protein, and to make a meal of it.

Berry Banana Smoothie

You will need:

* 1 small banana (the riper the banana, the sweeter the smoothie) * 3-4 strawberries * 1/2 cup other berries (blue, black, rasp or whatever else you have on hand) * 3/4 cup plain yogurt (organic is best & soy, rice or other variations work fine) * 1/4 cup canned coconut milk (make sure it doesn't have added sugar, corn syrup or other sweetners, just plain coconut milk) * milk to blend (soy, rice or other variations work great too)

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy! Add nut butter or top with fruit and granola for added nutrition & protein, and to make a meal of it.