Can a fruit smoothie be bad for you?

Sneaky smoothies

Just because that tasty looking tropical fruit smoothie includes pineapple, doesn't mean it's necessarily healthy – or good for your waistline.

A lot of restaurants serve smoothies that use fruit concentrates instead of real fruit. So the pineapple flavour you taste could be nothing more than artificial flavouring.

There goes the nutrition you thought you were getting. And when it comes to those extra calories, most smoothies contain ice cream or sorbet, and are crammed full of sweeteners.

Health-proof your smoothies

The best way to enjoy a healthy fruit smoothie is to make it yourself. Use fresh fruit, pure water, low-fat yoghurt, fat-free or low-fat milk, ice blocks, and extras like cinnamon or mint leaves for flavour.

If you go out, ask for your smoothie to be made with yoghurt instead of ice cream, and fresh fruit instead of concentrate.

Recommended reading: Total calories in your favourite glass of wine

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