Smoothie

My youngest child is a picky eater and I’m always trying to trick him into eating a balanced and nutritious meal. This is the ‘milkshake’ he loves at breakfast time, packed full of fruit and honest to goodness creaminess. I add vanilla ice cream, just to help convince him to drink it, but feel free to leave it out of your smoothie if you wish

It’s tempting to just throw a bunch of fruit and veges in a blender and hope for the best, but that’s not what makes a good smoothie great. By using a recipe, you can ensure the correct balance of acidity and sweetness. Also, the consistency will be just right – not too thin, but not a thick sludge either. Most importantly, a great smoothie will be healthy – not simply a whole heap of sugar disguised as fruit. This green goddess smoothie is one of my trusty standbys. I regularly knock one back for breakfast or for a mid-afternoon snack. The pear provides the sweetness, the lime the acidity and the avocado makes for a smooth and creamy texture, plus it’s packed full of goodness. Enjoy!

Using real strawberries gives this drink a refreshing edge, while the vanilla and cream make it rich and delicious.

Using melted dark chocolate, cocoa and brownie in the topping gives this shake all the richness a real chocolate lover craves.

This antioxidant-rich smoothie from Women's Fitness is the perfect way to prep your day. Photography by Bauersyndication.com.au.

Peanut butter fans will love this silky smoothie filled with banana and honey. Photography by Bauersyndication.com.au.

Pete Evans' recipe for a mango berry smoothie is ideal for a weekend brunch menu, or any time you need a pick-me-up. Photography by Bauersyndication.com.au.

Bored of soggy sandwiches? These nutritious lunch box ideas from Holly Cuthbert at Square One Health and Fitness will put the bounce back into your break.