A smoothie is a vitamin-packed, thick, cool drink that has become especially widespread among healthy eating enthusiasts. There are many recipes for its preparation from different products. Usually the composition contains fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs; fermented milk products can be added. It is usually prepared before consumption as the drink is perishable . But, if a large volume is prepared, it can be stored for some time.
Factors that affect shelf life
The safety of the nutritional and beneficial properties of smoothies depends primarily on the following criteria:
- Temperature . As a rule, it is stored in the refrigerator; at room temperature it spoils much faster.
- Capacity . In a closed container it does not spoil longer.
- Compound . Some ingredients reduce the shelf life, while others, on the contrary, extend it.
- Cooking method.
- Quality of ingredients . Overripe, limp fruits can reduce their shelf life.
What to do if you can't get enough of smoothies
Here I offer the following options:
- Add 1-2 tbsp to smoothie. protein powder. I have already written about what they are like here .
- Eat a handful of nuts (10-20 pieces) as a snack. Nuts take a long time to chew and keep you full for a long time due to their high protein and fat content. Yes, and delicious!
- If you have a very powerful blender, you can add nuts and seeds directly to the smoothie during the cooking process.
- After preparing the smoothie, add a tablespoon of chia or flax seeds and mix everything on low speed.
- Try this option: 300 ml of smoothie plus 1 correct bread with the correct filling (fish in any form, pesto , avocado, vegetables are suitable)
The right liquids for smoothies
- Regular clean water
- Soy or other plant-based milk without added sugar
- Coconut milk light
Just a couple of weeks ago, a discussion flared up in the comments to my posts: is it possible to add kefir, milk or drinking yogurt to a smoothie? Like, otherwise it won’t taste good. A nice discussion very quickly turned into a heated argument... Some wrote that drinking yogurt, which is sugar-free and fat-free, contains less sugar, others reasonably noted that yogurt is full of sugar substitutes and chemicals, and dairy is generally not the best option for a healthy drink. I agree with the second. Of course, anything is possible. Another question - is it necessary?
Firstly, sweeteners should be avoided. Why - there is a whole article . If you can’t live without a sweet smoothie, then it’s better to add apple juice. This will be much better than drinking yogurt.
Secondly, dairy products interfere with the absorption of calcium from food (and from dairy products themselves!), acidify the body and cause constipation... Is it worth starting your day with such a cocktail?
Thirdly, although kefir contains bifidobacteria in small quantities, it is still a dairy product. Why it should be avoided is in the sentence above.
How long can smoothies be stored?
It is best to drink smoothies within three hours of preparation. Maximum shelf life (in the refrigerator) is 1 day. Without a refrigerator - 4 hours (this is how long fermentation processes begin to occur in food at room temperature). Personally, I try to drink my liter before lunch (I have it at noon). If some days it doesn’t work (yes, that happens!), then I put the smoothie in the refrigerator and use it either as a second snack in the afternoon, or drink it the next morning. This option seems to me the most convenient.
What to do if your stomach is bloated after drinking a smoothie
Wait a couple of weeks. It is quite possible that everything will go away on its own. The fact is that such a reaction is the consequences of the huge amount of fiber that is contained in the right smoothies. And if before that you only ate porridge and sandwiches, then your intestines may simply react this way out of habit. If after two weeks your stomach does not stop bloating, then I advise you to work on your digestion, while simultaneously reducing the amount of smoothies by half. I wrote in detail about how to get rid of bloating here .
That's probably all about smoothies. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments either here or on social networks.
If you have a desire to make smoothies your favorite drink, which will guarantee your youth, longevity and good health, then I suggest joining my original “Mini-detox” program, where you will not only receive many recipes for the healthiest smoothies, but you will also be able to communicate with me and other program participants in real time. More information about the program is here .
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A bright and charming smoothie is a thick vitamin cocktail, which today has successfully migrated from the status of an “ordinary” dessert to a real standard of healthy eating! European countries have been building smoothie cafes and publishing smoothie nutrition guides for a long time. This good habit has come from the world of healthy lifestyle to our country. The word “smoothie” today does not surprise, frighten or confuse anyone. This name only whets the appetite and promises an extravaganza of taste and benefits. But do we know everything about this life-giving vitamin drink? Recipes, acceptable ingredients, preparation methods - these are not all the facets of information that are important to consider when preparing a smoothie. In addition to all this, it is important to know how to properly store the finished smoothie, as well as how long this product can remain in the refrigerator.
Storage Features
Fresh fruits and vegetables are usually used to prepare cocktails . Kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream, yogurt and other fermented milk products are often added.
All these ingredients spoil very quickly , so it is advisable to consume the drink immediately after preparation . Therefore, small quantities are usually made. If too much drink has been prepared, it should be placed in the refrigerator. But even in this case, it is not stored for long.
In a refrigerator
The safety of smoothies in the refrigerator is influenced by 2 factors:
- Temperature in the refrigerator compartment.
- Expiration date of components.
Typically, the temperature in the refrigerator is in the range +2°C - +6°C . Under such conditions, the smoothie remains suitable for consumption for 12 hours . You shouldn’t leave it for longer; due to the large number of components, it can turn sour.
Some types of cocktails can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours . But, even if few ingredients with a long shelf life were used, after a day the drink will no longer be so fresh and pleasant to taste. Therefore, it is not advisable to store it for more than half a day.
In the freezer
It is highly not recommended to freeze the cocktail itself in its finished form . Its taste is spoiled. But, you can freeze the components . They are divided into portions and frozen. Different components should not be mixed with each other. As needed, take out the required amount of fruits and vegetables, defrost and prepare a cocktail.
This is a very good option for the summer, when in the heat you want to enjoy a cool drink. In this case, the components do not need to be completely defrosted. When frozen, they should be chopped immediately . The ice glaze will perform a cooling function. There is no need to use ice cubes.
The shelf life of components in the freezer is practically unlimited . The main thing is not to freeze them several times. Almost all types of vegetables, herbs and fruits remain suitable for consumption in the freezer for at least 1 year .
Without refrigerator
Smoothies are a perishable product that cannot be kept indoors. It can be at room temperature immediately at the time of use. Most varieties of cocktails under such conditions spoil within 1-2 hours .
The value of the product lies in its thickness, lightness and velvety feel. These characteristics disappear very quickly, especially at room temperature. Therefore, you should not leave the smoothie in a warm place; this is a drink that should be consumed immediately.
Dependence of shelf life on ingredients
The type of food used for cooking has a huge impact on the preservation of freshness. Some of them have preservative properties , extending shelf life. But, most ingredients from popular recipes, on the contrary, reduce this parameter.
A cocktail with yogurt will spoil faster than without fermented milk products. In addition, the vitamins contained in most fruits begin to disintegrate within 2-3 hours from the moment of processing. Taste and aroma deteriorate. Many fermented milk products can separate into individual components.
Freshness is lost especially quickly when adding the following products:
- Natural fermented milk products.
- Milk.
- Banana.
- Strawberry.
- Pear.
- Fresh cucumber.
- Natural juices.
- Cream.
- Apple.
- Raspberries.
- Broccoli.
- Fresh tomatoes.
- Fresh white cabbage.
A cocktail with such ingredients should be consumed within 2-3 hours from the moment of preparation.
After 5-6 hours the taste will be noticeably different and an unpleasant odor will appear.
Expiration date depending on products
If you want to know how long a smoothie can be stored in the refrigerator, you should consider the composition of the drink. For example, dairy-based shakes may not remain suitable for consumption for long.
List of products that reduce the shelf life of smoothies:
- Banana, apple, pear.
- Strawberry Raspberry.
- Yogurt, milk and other dairy products.
- Cucumber, tomatoes.
- Orange, lemon or lime juice.
- Broccoli.
If these ingredients are present in the composition, then the drink can be consumed within 2-3 hours from the moment of preparation. Otherwise, it will lose its taste and freshness.
Note: it should be remembered that the longer the drink sits in the refrigerator, the less benefit. To achieve the best effect, it is recommended to pour the drink after preparation and drink immediately.
How to tell if a smoothie has gone bad
You can determine if a cocktail is spoiled by the following signs:
- Bitter taste.
- Unpleasant, rotten smell.
- Formation of an uncharacteristic film or mold deposit on the surface.
- Fermentation of a liquid, manifested by the release of bubbles.
- Change in consistency to more liquid or heterogeneous.
- Formation of lumps.
Spoiled smoothies should be disposed of immediately . Fungi and microorganisms can form in it, the entry of which into the gastrointestinal tract leads to poisoning. It is important to throw the drink away immediately as mold and bacteria can spread to other foods.
How to store smoothies
A delicious, vitamin-rich smoothie is usually created from fresh fruits and vegetables. Fermented milk products are often added to the drink: kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, etc. It’s good when the cocktail is prepared in 1-2 servings. And if it turns out to be too much, then where and for how long can you store smoothies so that the product does not pose a health hazard? “Of course, in the refrigerator!” - you say. And you'll be almost right. Indeed, there is no surer method to keep food fresh than putting it in the cold. But this method also has its nuances.
Freezing
You can store a nutritious snack of vegetables or fruits not only in the refrigerator, but also in the freezer. Here, the shelf life is an order of magnitude higher - the drink remains suitable for consumption for several days.
Separately, you should consider the option of freezing ingredients. Having previously prepared the necessary products and sent them to the freezer, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the fruit. Such preparations will save time and effort in the morning, and will help you enjoy the healthy and refreshing taste without any problems.
It is obvious that smoothies are a healing and natural elixir that have a positive effect on appearance and health. However, it should be remembered that this thick cocktail does not tolerate long-term storage, and brings maximum benefits immediately after preparation.
Journalist with higher education. Graduated from the KFU Institute of Journalism and Mass Media with honors. I have 4 years of experience working in the media.
