Summer's Coming: Drink Your Way To Good Health

Strawberry, Yogurt & Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

Rich in soluble fibre from oats, vitamin C and antioxidants from strawberries, vitamin B6 from bananas, along with the gut-healing properties of yogurt, this protein-packed drink is high in nutrition and low in calories. This filling smoothie can be enjoyed as a complete breakfast or you can have it as a mid-meal hunger buster.

How to: Take ¼ cup of plain rolled oats and churn it in a blender until finely ground. In the blender, add ½ cup of chopped strawberries, ½ chopped banana, 1 cup of low-fat yogurt, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, ¼ cup of toned milk and 1 teaspoon of honey and whizz until it becomes a smoothie. Serve cold, garnished with finely chopped nuts.

Almond Milk and Banana Smoothie with Flaxseeds

Low in calories and sugar and high on vitamins, this smoothie is a great substitute for regular milk, especially for those following a vegan diet/lactose-free diet. While bananas are a good source of essential minerals, such as potassium and manganese, and provide instant energy, flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

How to: In a blender, add 1 sliced banana (large), 1 cup of almond milk, 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds, 1 teaspoon of almond or vanilla essence (optional) and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Churn until it becomes smooth. Serve cold, dusted with some cinnamon powder.

Apple, Beetroot and Carrot Energizer

Popularly known as the ABC drink, this rejuvenating drink is a nutrient powerhouse—it helps boost your immunity and metabolism, detoxifies your body, and helps maintain heart health. Add celery for the additional wow factor.

How to: Clean the vegetables thoroughly since you will be having them raw. One trick to get all the germs out is to soak the veggies in salted water for half an hour.You should prefer organic produce when you eat them raw. In a juicer, put 1 chopped and de-seeded small apple, 1 scraped and chopped carrot, 1 skinned and chopped beetroot, 1 stalk of celery (optional) and 1 cup of water. Blend until the veggies turn into a liquid mix. Add a dash of lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt (optional).

Iced Turmeric Latte

Loaded with antioxidants, this anti-inflammatory drink is great for digestion and pain relief.

How to: Warm 1 cup of milk and add 2 tablespoons of freshly grated raw turmeric root (kacchi haldi) or 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon of raw sugar or honey, a pinch of black pepper and let it come to a boil. Let this sit for 15 minutes for the flavours to come out. Once cool, put it in a blender with 1 cup of water and give it a spin for a few seconds. Pour in a glass with ice.