With busy lifestyles, finding the time to sit down and enjoy a meal is sometimes impossible. Many of us will drive through a fast food restaurant for a quick fix, while others will just skip meals all together.

One way to combat our limited eating schedules could be to sip instead of chew.

During the past five years, smoothies have increased dramatically, according to the industry analysis company Mintel, and have now “become a part of the American landscape.”

Naturalnews.com states smoothie sales have risen to $2 billion a year, which is up 80 percent from 2002. This is due in large part because people see them as healthy.

Linda Fondren, the owner of Shape Up Sisters said she is seeing that trend at her woman’s fitness and workout facility, which offers a smoothie bar.

“People relate smoothies to weight loss,” Fondren said, and in a world where women’s lifestyles keep them busy and their diets get put on the “back burner,” these drinks offer a healthy choice for calories.

“Women know they need fiber in their diets and know they need to eat more fruits and vegetables, so we are not telling them anything that they don’t know, it’s a matter of how can I get it into my system — how do you make it easy for me,” Fondren said.

And because no two people are alike, additives/replacements can be added into smoothies to meet each individual’s nutritional needs, Fondren said.

There needs to be a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and nutrients and sometimes for breakfast you can balance that out in a smoothie, she said.

“A smoothie is so much better than a donut and a cup of coffee. You can get energy into a smoothie, and it tastes good too,” Fondren said.

“When you have choices and you don’t have time,” Fondren said, smoothies could be a great substitute for a sit down meal.

“In the morning when I am running off to a meeting, I sometime have a smoothie,” she said.

Like Fondren, Deidra Cook, the owner of Bops of Vicksburg, says when she is short on time, she will drink a smoothie for her meal.

“If I can’t get away to eat, I will make a peach-ana-berry and throw protein and yogurt in it, and I have a meal that covers all the food groups,” Cook said.

The local franchise, which is located at 100 Holt Collier Drive off Highway 61 N, also offers smoothies.

“Our smoothies are all natural with no preservatives and each 16 oz. drink only has 350 calories,” Cook said.

Of course, if you choose to include additional ingredients like a protein mix or dairy products to the base recipe that will increase the calories of the smoothie.

Bop’s also sells milk shakes, Cook said, but when someone is looking to watch their calorie intake, smoothies are a great substitute.

“I have some customers who drink smoothies since a smoothie is an healthy alternative to a milk shake, and it is lighter and not as filling,” she said.

Drinking smoothies varies with an individuals needs and goals, Fondren said.

If you want to loose weight, be careful and cognizant of the amount of sugar that you put into a smoothie. Fruit has sugar in it and then if you add honey or sweet milk in to give it a sweeter taste, before you know it a smoothie could add up to more than 1,000 calories.

Smoothies can also be a popular drink with children.

“Kids in the kiddie room love the shakes,” Fondren said, “and Mothers don’t mind giving them one since they are healthy.”

Although Shape Up Sisters is an all female facility, Fondren said she does allow male clients to come in and buy smoothies at the smoothie bar.

 

Healthy smoothie recipes from prevention.com:

 

Banana Ginger Smoothie

(Soothes digestion, heartburn, nausea, and other stomach trouble)

Servings: 2

1 banana, sliced

¾ Cup (6 oz.) vanilla yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

½ Teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Combine the banana, yogurt, honey, and ginger. Blend until smooth.

Nutrition (per serving) 157 calories, 1 g fat, 0.8 g sat fat, 57 mg sodium, 34 g carbs, 28 g sugars, 1.5 g fiber, 5 g protein

 

World’s Best Smoothie

(Keeps you satisfied until lunchtime) 

Servings: 1

1 Cup plain nonfat yogurt

1 Banana

½ Cup orange juice

6 Frozen strawberries

Combine the yogurt, banana, juice, and strawberries for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides and blend for an additional 15 seconds.

Nutrition (per serving) 300 calories, 14 g pro, 63 g carb, 5 g fiber, 45 g sugars, 0.5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 180 mg sodium

 

Watermelon Wonder

(Summer fruit favorite becomes delightful healthy smoothie)

Servings: 2

2 Cups chopped seedless watermelon

¼ Cup fat-free milk

2 Cups ice

Combine the watermelon and milk, and blend for 15 seconds, or until smooth. Add the ice, and blend 20 seconds longer, or to your desired consistency. Add more ice, if needed, and blend for 10 seconds.

Nutrition (per serving) 56 calories, 0.3 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 19.5 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 11 g sugars, 0.5 g fiber, 2 g protein

 

Get-Ahead Gingerbread 

(Packed with muscle-building protein)

Servings: 1

7 Ounces 2% Greek yogurt

1 Cup ice cubes

¼ Cup frozen sliced banana

2 Tablespoons almond butter

1 Tablespoon molasses

1 Teaspoon grated ginger

¼ Teaspoon cinnamon

⅛ Teaspoon each nutmeg and cardamom

Combine and blend.