The truth about smoothies

Smoothies are the health food trend of the last few years. People are guzzling this refreshing concoction like there's no tomorrow, and as a result, smoothie places are popping up all over the place and established eateries are adding them to their menu to draw in the 'healthy' crowd. But wait a second ... are you wondering why I just put healthy in quotation marks? Well, I hate to break it to you but smoothies aren't that healthy for you. Don't get me wrong -- they can be, but most of the versions you find in the food court of the mall are lacking in fresh fruits and healthy stuff and making up for it in sugar.

Typically smoothies are somewhat low in fat, but that doesn't mean they're low in calories. You're looking at around 350 to 500 calories for the most popular varieties, with an amount of sugar that rivals eating a slice of chocolate cake. And most people don't have smoothies for their meal -- it's just something they get to combat the mid-afternoon stomach rumbling, in between meals and errands.

So if you love smoothies (and who can blame you?), avoid buying them and instead make them at home from your favourite fresh fruits, some non-fat plain yogurt, a touch of vanilla, some protein powder and perhaps some honey or splenda to sweeten things up. That's what I do, at least, and it's pretty darn tasty. Do you have a healthy smoothie recipe to share?