There's something satisfying about an ice-cold shake on steamy summer day. Then you stop and think about how well it is benefiting your weight loss efforts. But that doesn't mean you can't cool down with your favorite icy beverage when the weather heats up.
Whether you’re opting for a healthy smoothie, a festive cocktail or a fruity drink for the entire family, there are easy ways to create your own signature drinks that are delicious and healthy. Joyce Schrage from Weight Watchers joined KHQA This Morning to share some recipes and a few ideas to help lighten up your favorite summer sips:
- For smoothies, combine yogurt with fat-free or low-fat milk.
- Try adding soft tofu or non-fat Greek yogurt to your fruity blended shakes for a protein boost that will keep you satisfied longer.
- Spruce up your favorite caffeine-free diet soda with a scoop of fat-free ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- Add ice to fruit-based smoothies (before blending them) and to give them more volume.
- If doing an adult beverage…try a festive Sangria or mix a citrus flavored soft drink with white wine with lots of ice to maximize a cocktail and make it fruity.
- You can also try some of the recipes Joyce demonstrated on KHQA This Morning.
Frozen Watermelon Virgin Margarita
Ingredients
| 4 cups fresh watermelon chunks, seeds removed |
| 7 tbsp. fresh lime juice, approximately the juice of 4 limes |
| 2 tbsp. sugar |
| 4 cups ice cubes |
| 1/8 tsp. table salt |
| 1/2 medium fresh lime, cut into wedges for garnish |
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, except lime wedges, in a blender; purée until smooth. Divide among 4 glasses. Garnish with lime wedges.
Mango Shake
Ingredients
| 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt |
| 1 cup water, ice cold |
| 1 1/2 small mango(es), or 1 large mango, peeled, pitted and chopped |
| 1 tbsp. sugar |
| 2 pieces mint leaves |
Instructions
Place all ingredients, except mint, in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour into 2 tall glasses. Top each with a mint leaf. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
White or Red Sangria
Dissolve four packets of sucralose sweetener (such as Splenda) into 4 tablespoons of water. Pour into pitcher. Add slices of oranges, lemons, limes, peaches, plums or nectarines as well as grapes (for white wine sangria, red grapes; for red wine sangria, white). Add a bottle of red or white wine. Stir, then let sit. Before serving, top pitcher with a drizzle of club soda.
MoMojito…Less than half the calories of a traditional margarita!!
Pour 3/4 of an ounce (about half a shot) of fresh lime juice into a glass. Add one packet of sucralose sweetener (such as Splenda) and four or five mint leaves. Stir until the sweetener dissolves. Add a shot of light rum (if desired) and several ice cubes. Top with 2 ounces club soda and a sprig of mint.
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