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Healthy summer drinks

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By Kristen Miranda - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - When the temperatures start rise, sometimes you just want an ice-cold shake or frozen drink.  Unfortunately those can be packed with calories.

The staff at Weight Watchers visited WBTV News Saturday Morning to offer up some healthy alternatives that aren't scale-busters.

Their tips and recipes follow:

  • 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.

Frozen Watermelon Virgin Margaritas 

Prep time:  10 min

Cook time:  0 min

Serves: 4

What better way to beat the heat than with a margarita? Try substituting other melon combos to create exotic flavors.

Ingredients

 

4 cup(s) fresh watermelon, chunks, seeds removed   

 

7 Tbsp fresh lime juice, about juice of 4 limes   

 

2 Tbsp sugar   

 

4 cup(s) ice cube(s)   

 

1/8 tsp table salt   

 

1/2 medium fresh lime(s), 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

Prep time:  8 min

Cook time:  0 min

Serves: 2

Cool off with this fruity shake on a hot spring or summer day. You can substitute any type of ripe fruit for the mango.

Ingredients

 

1 cup(s) plain fat-free yogurt   

 

1 cup(s) water, ice cold   

 

1 1/2 small mango(es), or 1 large mango, peeled, pitted and chopped   

 

1 Tbsp sugar   

 

2 piece(s) 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.

Mojito…Less than half the calories of a traditional margarita!!
Pour 3/4 of an ounce (about half a shot) 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 and several ice cubes. Top with 2 ounces club soda and a sprig of mint.

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