Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This is a nice, healthy treat to have during and even after pregnancy with about 264 calories per serving.  Let's break it down by looking at the main ingredients:

Strawberries: 1 cup of strawberries contain Folate and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Manganese.

Bananas: About 1 medium sized banana  is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6.

2% Milk: 1 cup of milk contains Protein, Vitamin B12 and Phosphorus, and is a very good source of Vitamin D, Riboflavin and Calcium.

 

The calories that come from this smoothie are largely from the sugars that each ingredient has, but when you are pregnant or nursing you may find yourself longing for something else to drink besides water and juice.  Ok, let's get to the good part!  The below recipe makes about 2 and a half servings.  This is the serving size I use, because dear husband needs a treat now and then too!
You are going to need:

(thank you to dear husband for the use of your whiskey glasses!)

•  2 cups fresh strawberries (100 calories)
• 2 ripe bananas (400 calories)
• 2 tablespoons of sugar (40 calories)
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup 2% milk (any type of milk will do, as long as it is pasteurized) (122 calories)
• 1 Cuisinart blender (or any type of blender...I happen to LOOOVE Cuisinart)

 Start by peeling both bananas and breaking off chunks and putting them into the blender.  If you banana wont peel from the stem, dig your thumb nail into the bottom of the banana and peel it from that end first.  See...

 

 

Put in the strawberries (whole, with the stems cut off), sugar, vanilla extract, ice and milk.

 

 

Blend to your liking!

 

 

Always taste it first, in case you need to add more sugar.  I typically do not add anymore than 2 tablespoons of sugar, since the majority of this smoothie consists of....sugar.

 

Enjoy!