{"id":20386,"date":"2026-05-14T11:20:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/?p=20386"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:20:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:20:07","slug":"smoothie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/2026\/05\/14\/smoothie\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoothies: Let Your Blender Shine!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2014 Amelia Sullivan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

They\u2019re quick, customizable, and easy to enjoy!<\/p>\n

Smoothies are a go-to for busy mornings, after physical activity, and everything in between. Beyond being trendy, they offer a simple way to help meet daily fruit needs.<\/p>\n

Why Fruit Intake Matters<\/h3>\n

Eating fruits gives your body important nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. These nutrients help your body stay healthy. Even with these benefits, many kids and adults do not eat enough fruit.<\/p>\n

Finding simple, tasty ways to add more fruit throughout the day can make a meaningful difference in your health, and smoothies offer a convenient solution.<\/p>\n

Why Smoothies?<\/h3>\n

Smoothies blend fruits and other ingredients into a convenient, drinkable option that is quick and easy to enjoy. For some, drinking fruit may be easier than eating it whole. This can be especially helpful for picky eaters or busy families.<\/p>\n

In fact, a recent study from the University of Maine\u2019s Nutrition Education and Eating Decision Research Laboratory found that offering smoothies helped Maine middle school students eat more whole fruit.<\/p>\n

The researchers developed a school-based program called HEALTHY (Helping Early Adolescents Live Their Healthiest Youth) to help students eat more fruit. The HEALTHY program paired frozen fruit smoothie taste tests with short, engaging nutrition education during the school lunch period. Students were offered smoothies made with ingredients such as frozen fruit, low-fat milk, and Greek yogurt, while also learning simple ways to build healthy habits, like fueling their immune system!<\/p>\n

Read more about the HEALTHY program on their website: HEALTHY website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Building a Balanced Smoothie<\/h3>\n

All you need is a blender and a few simple ingredients to get started.<\/p>\n

A balanced smoothie includes a mix of ingredients to keep you satisfied and energized. You can think of smoothies as including three key parts:<\/p>\n