Spring is just around the corner, and for many that means a vacation to some where warm. Where there is warm whether, there is plenty of skin. Many people feel the need to go on crazy unhealthy crash diets, to lose the inches. With spring break being so close, and summer creeping up on us, it is hard to find yummy low calorie healthy snacks. However I have some great healthy treats, that will keep you satisfied, and get you swim suit ready!

The first healthy treat I am going to introduce you to, is a simple chocolate raspberry smoothie. This smoothie is high in protein which is going to keep you full, and can be a meal substitute, is high in antioxidants, and carb loaded which will give you energy,( it is almost fat free!).

Being a Minnesotan, you may be thinking that raspberries are one, not in season, and two, expensive! Well, they are out of season, and expensive, so that’s why we are going to use frozen raspberries!

Frozen fruit has more nutrients than fresh fruit, in the winter months. That is because fruit starts loosing nutrients the second it is picked from the stem. When fruit is frozen it seals in the antioxidants and nutrients and preserves it. Fruit that is picked half way across the world, and then shipped to Minnesota will already have lost most of it’s nutrients by the time we eat it.

Frozen raspberries are going to be less expensive, and better for you, it’s a win, win situation!

As for the rest of the ingredients, you are going to need, Chocolate Whey or Soy protein powder, water, and ice (you may substitute water for skim milk).

Take the serving size amount of the chocolate protein powder and double it depending on how hungry you are and how chocolatey you want your smoothie to be. It will be around a little more than a 1/2 cup. Then take between a 1/2 cup of frozen raspberries, mixed with 1 1/2 cups of water (depends how much protein powder you use), and a handful of ice cubes. Mix everything together in a blender and you have a yummy chocolate raspberry smoothie!

This smoothie is great after workouts, a quick on the go meal, or even a snack to have now, and during the warm summer months. The smoothies will have between 250-350 calories, 15 carbs, 2-4 grams of fat, 26-52 grams of protein, and loaded with other nutrients like vitamin C and A, calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, fiber, and potassium.

So go ahead and indulge you senses in to this guilt free treat, and have fun getting swim suit ready!