We can use bananas in many ways and there are lots of people out there who like this nutritional fruit. Bananas can be fried, roasted, boiled and even we can eat it raw. Bananas are high in proteins, vitamins, dietary fibers, folic acid and Vitamins A, B and C, calcium, thiamine, magnesium, riboflavin and niacin as well. That sounds too good to be true, so that naturally begs the question: how many calories are in a banana smoothie? 1 cup of the smoothie will have about 260 calories when using skim milk and low-fat yogurt. Here are some delicious and healthy recipe ideas:

Banana strawberry peach smoothies

  • Two sliced medium size bananas
  • Two cups strawberries, frozen
  • Two cup peach slices frozen
  • One cup chilled fruit juice, strawberry, orange or banana or you can use them in combination too
  • One cup low fat yogurt
  • About ½ cup of skim or plain milk/ water

Banana pomegranate smoothie

  • One large banana, sliced
  • One cup chilled pomegranate juice
  • One cup plain or low fat vanilla yogurt
  • About ½ cup of skim or plain milk/water

Banana strawberry kiwi smoothies

  • One cup frozen chunks of banana
  • One cup strawberries, frozen
  • One kiwi fruit peeled and cut into chunks
  • One cup strawberry and kiwi fruit juice
  • About ½ cup of skim or plain milk/ water

Recipe

Mix all the ingredients in the blender or Nutribullet until you get the consistency you like. Using frozen strawberries and bananas will prevent the need for ice to cool the drink. Pour the recipe into chilled glasses and have fun with your delicious smoothie

Calories

When figuring the calorie count of the banana smoothie there are a few important considerations. One of which is what liquid to use. It can be juice, plain water, skim milk, whole milk or soy milk (be careful with this if you have thyroid issues).

  • 2% reduced fat milk: about 120 calories
  • Whole milk: 150 calories
  • Soy milk: 100 calories
  • Fruit juice: 140 calories
  • Orange juice: 110 calories

Additions to the smoothies

  • Frozen fruits: pineapple, strawberries, raspberries – 50 calories per ½ cup
  • Peanut butter: 100 calories per tablespoon
  • Frozen yogurt: 110 calories
  • Ice cream: ~150 calories
  • Honey: 60 calories per tablespoon
  • Sorbet: 160 calories
  • Plain protein powder: 105 calories

The banana itself has 120 – 140 calories on average. So people who are watching their weight have to think twice before ordering or making banana smoothies. If you are preparing it at home you can use additional ingredients like fat free milk or alternative sugar to reduce the calorie count of your banana smoothies.