Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a craving for delicious drinks… and something light. You love smoothies and don’t want to give them up, so you’re after some light smoothie recipes instead. Look no further: here are 7 delicious recipes, one for each day of the week!
What exactly is a light smoothie?
For those who’ve been living under a rock, let’s go back to basics. A smoothie is a cold, creamy drink made from fruit and vegetables whizzed up in a blender. You can add plant-based milk, yoghurt, seeds (flax, chia), dried fruit (goji berries, prunes) or even spices such as cinnamon or turmeric. It’s a bit like a milkshake, but without the milk or ice cream. It isn’t a juice either: it’s made in a blender rather than a juicer, and it keeps the pulp of the fruit and veg, so you get all the fibre.
Light smoothies generally do without sugar, cocoa powder, shop-bought fruit juice or honey. They mostly feature fruit and vegetables such as apple, kiwi or cucumber. Goodbye avocado and banana!
Homemade shake or milkshake: how do you get a creamy texture?
Fancy a homemade shake that’s as creamy as a milkshake, but lighter? It’s all about the texture. Natural yoghurt (recipe no. 1) or plant-based milk (recipe no. 3) gives it that velvety feel. Flax or chia seeds, left to soak for a few minutes in the liquid before blending, make the drink thicker (recipes no. 3 and 4). A splash of water, on the other hand, makes it runnier, so add as much as you like.
A smoothie is still a drink. It can be part of a balanced diet, but it doesn’t replace a proper meal.
Which light smoothies should you choose?
Out of ideas? Here are some light smoothie recipes, simple but delicious, to treat yourself without worry!
Light smoothie recipe no. 1: Apple and carrot duo
A simple, fresh duo to start the week! To prepare it, you need:
- One carrot
- One apple
- One pot of 0% natural yoghurt
- The juice of half a lemon
Simply peel and chop the carrot, do the same with the apple, blend everything with the yoghurt and lemon juice, and enjoy!
-27%Your evening cuppa, ten dried botanicals
- Peppermint contributes to digestive function, and green anise helps support digestion
- Couch grass brings its gentle sweetness, hibiscus its tangy note and meadowsweet its floral touch
- Linden, for its part, adds a soft, floral note and aids digestion
Recipe no. 2: Green smoothie with pear
A second, rather surprising recipe that’s green and lovely and fresh. If you like tasty, natural ideas, have a look at our selection of snacks too. To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- A handful of lamb’s lettuce
- 2 pears
- One kiwi
- One celery stalk with its leaves
- Water
It couldn’t be simpler: blend the lamb’s lettuce, the two peeled and cored pears, the peeled kiwi and the celery. Add water to adjust the texture, depending on whether you prefer your drinks thick or runny.
Recipe no. 3: Blueberry bliss
A smoothie that you’ll enjoy for its fruity flavour and its gentleness, thanks to the blueberries: perfect for a tasty break. For more variety, take a look at our homemade drink ideas. The ingredients are as follows:
- 250 g of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp of flax seeds
- 50 cl of plant-based milk (almond, soy, rice)
Let the flax seeds swell for a few minutes in the plant-based milk, then blend everything with the blueberries.
Recipe no. 4: Pineapple and green tea drink
When it comes to light smoothies, pineapple is a must! Its fragrant flavour pairs beautifully with green tea. To make the drink, you’ll need:
Next, let the chia seeds swell for a few moments in the green tea, then blend all the ingredients together.
Recipe no. 5: Thirst-quenching smoothie
If you’re looking for a fresh and refreshing homemade drink, this one is for you. To make it, you need:
For preparation, simply wash the cucumber and cut it into pieces, peel the kiwis, peel the ginger, and blend everything with a little water, to your taste.
Recipe no. 6: Citrus and carrot juice
Here’s a drink that’s colourful and lovely and fresh, one to slip into your everyday little tips. With an added tangy kick, thanks to the grapefruit. To make it, you’ll need:
- The juice of a grapefruit or a pomelo
- The juice of an orange
- One carrot cut into pieces
- A piece of fresh turmeric, peeled
Blend all the ingredients together, add a few ice cubes and a slice of lime, and enjoy!
Recipe no. 7: Green kale smoothie
Kale has a great reputation, and it pairs well with apple and lime. To make this green drink, you’ll need:
- A handful of kale leaves
- One apple
- One lime (to balance the bitterness of the kale)
Wash the kale, place it in a blender. Wash the apple, remove the seeds and cut it into pieces, then place the pieces in the machine. Squeeze the lime juice and collect the zest. Blend everything, and you’re done!
There are countless other recipes. Be creative and give it a try!
Frequently asked questions
Which smoothie should I choose day to day?
Go for a smoothie made with fruit and vegetables (apple, pear, kiwi, cucumber, spinach, kale), with no sugar, honey, cocoa powder or shop-bought fruit juice. All 7 recipes in this article follow that principle, so you can pick one for each day of the week.
Can a smoothie target a specific area of the body?
No drink works on one specific area of the body. A light smoothie simply has its place in a varied diet alongside regular physical activity. If you have digestive discomfort that doesn’t go away, speak to your GP.
Can you use frozen fruit in a smoothie?
Yes. The Blueberry bliss recipe (no. 3) works just as well with fresh or frozen blueberries. With frozen fruit, the drink is nice and cold, ideal in summer, and you don’t need to add any ice cubes.
Can I drink these smoothies during pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor or midwife before changing your eating habits. They can advise you based on your own situation.
To go further, explore the Cellublue shop: our body care products.
