Banana Smoothie

The inimitable banana smoothie makes a delicious and nutritious breakfast

We all know we're supposed to eat three meals a day and that breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day. Yet who has time these days to whip up bacon and eggs with toast? Stopping for a breakfast at the fast food place is not quite what nutritionists have in mind. While a good breakfast gets you going with vitamins, minerals and some energy to fuel you until lunch, breakfast is the most missed meal in America. Coffee doesn't count and adding a donut or sweet roll and calling it breakfast is just a sugar crash waiting to happen. The banana smoothie might be the perfect answer. You can load all the nutrients you need into the blender and have breakfast ready in five minutes. Not only does it fill you up, but the intrepid banana smoothie does a heck of a job on the nutrition scorecard. Here are several variations on this delicious meal to get you started.

The only must-have ingredient is the banana. Whatever else you want to throw in there is up to you and your taste buds. One banana provides lots of fiber, which most of us don't get enough of, as well as potassium, which is easily lost through perspiration on a hot summer's day. So that's a good start.

Bananas have a sweet but neutral taste which makes your other potential smoothie ingredients a long list of variables. Peach, orange, mango and strawberry-banana juices are all packed with vitamins A and C, antioxidants and good for your skin. Now your banana smoothie is getting powerful. Some juice brands add calcium and vitamin D. Even better.

For a really creamy banana smoothie, there's nothing like a scoop of ice cream or yogurt. More calcium, in the case of ice cream. Calcium is good for building and maintaining strong bones. Here's where you can use natural yogurt as a milk alternative. Natural yogurt contains goodly amounts of acidophilus and vitamin K. These two nutrients aid digestion and maintain a good balance of the flora and fauna you need in the digestive tract. Women will appreciate the benefits in avoiding yeast infections, while those who are lactose intolerant can have the creamy taste without the lactose.

Fresh and canned fruit are other delectable additions to your breakfast-in-a-glass. Add a few ice cubes or shaved ice to bring your breakfast banana smoothie to perfection. Drink up, be healthy and get your protein at lunch!