Only one in 10 Americans eats enough fruits and vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume around one and a half or two cups of fruit, and two to three cups of veggies a day. Why does this sometimes seem so difficult? Lack of time, stress, and unstructured habits can sometimes make fast food a quick and cheap option. However, Trader Joe’s is making it easier than ever to make delicious smoothies, with healthy ingredients like low-fat yogurt, green tea juice, smooth clover honey, and frozen wild blueberries. Smoothies a Potent Source of Antioxidants. The big secret to a fruit smoothie breakfast is the powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that different fruit and veggie combinations contain. Each ingredient wields its own particular brand of magic, so the more varied your smoothies are every day, the better. Beetroot juice, for instance, was found in a 2017 study to benefit the heart owing to its dietary nitrate quotient. In essence, nitrates can help lower the heart rate and blood pressure, both when you are exercising and when you are resting! Blueberries, another favorite Trader Joe’s ingredient, meanwhile, can alleviate and protect your body against intestinal diseases. When preparing your morning smoothie, remember the power of greens. A study by Swedish scientists found that it maximizes the potency of lutein – an antioxidant that battles inflammation and promotes optimal heart health. One way to ensure your consumption is as varied as possible is to make different colored smoothies, to widen your vitamin and antioxidant quotient. Is Frozen as Good as Fresh? Trader Joe’s sells a host of frozen fruits and veggies, and you may wonder if you will lost out on vital nutrients if you use frozen instead of fresh ingredients in your smoothies. You will be delighted to know that this is a myth that has been debunked by recent studies. One University of Dakota study, for instance, found that freezing blueberries improves their antioxidant availability greatly. Blueberries are ultra rich in anthocyanins – antioxidants which have documented anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral benefits. Preparing a Delicious, Healthy Smoothie from Scratch Although experimentation is fun when preparing smoothies, it is important to rely on a basic recipe so that ingredient proportions are just
