We’re bananas for this luscious but low saturated fat smoothie, made with ingredients that combine calcium and fiber. It’s a favorite at HealthBarn because it’s creamy and crunchy all at once.

Ingredients:
8 ice cubes
2 bananas, halved
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 cup low-fat (1%) milk
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup whole grain cereal, crushed*

Directions:
1. In blender, crush ice cubes.
2. Add bananas and remaining ingredients, except cereal; blend until smooth.
3. Pour into 4 glasses; sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon crushed cereal and extra cinnamon if you like.

Makes 4 servings (1 cup per serving).

Nutrition Facts per serving: 150 calories; 4g fat (1g sat fat, 1g mono, 1g poly, 0g trans fat); 10mg cholesterol; 24g carbohydrate (3g fiber, 15g sugar); 7g protein; 95mg sodium; 6% Daily Value (DV) vitamin A; 10% DV vitamin C; 20% DV calcium; 6% DV iron.

* We used Cheerios for nutrition analysis.

– Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, author, Appetite for Life, founder, HealthBarn USA, director, HealthBarn Foundation and HealthBarn Nutrition Academy.  She is recognized as top 10 dietitians nationally by Today’s Dietitian magazine for her work with HealthBarn USA.