How to Combine Fruits for Fruit Smoothies for More Nutrition
- 1). Choose organic, local produce for fruit with the highest amount of vitamins and minerals. If using juice as a base, use 100% fruit juice with no added sugars.
- 2). Use fruits such as oranges and other citrus fruit, pineapples, pomegranates, strawberries and plums for lots of calcium and vitamin C. Combine these acid fruits with sub-acid fruits like apples, berries, apricots, cherries, mangoes, pears, kiwi and papaya. Sub-acid fruits contain antioxidants and flavanoids that will enhance the activity of vitamin C.
- 3). Add sweet fruits such as bananas, figs, dates, raisins and other dried fruits for minerals like potassium and iron and concentrated sugar content for sustained energy.
- 4). Follow food combining science guidelines to avoid indigestion caused by mixing certain fruits. Combine acid fruits with sub-acid fruits, but not sweet fruits. Mix sub-acid fruits with either acid or sweet fruits, but not both, because of different enzymes produced by the body during digestion. Blend the fruit thoroughly to release the gases that may cause indigestion. The goal is to let each fruit digest normally so all of its nutrients may be absorbed by the body.
- 5). Make the smoothie. Chop or slice the fruit if you need to. Remove all seeds and pits from the fruit. Put the juice, fruit and ice into the blender. Secure the top and blend until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
