Healthier Hydration

Building tiny, healthier practices into routines you already have makes it easier to establish habits you can stick to. This concept is called “habit stacking,” and can help you improve habits from morning to night.

Consider busy mornings when you need an on-the-go solution – rather than opting for sugary food or drinks, turn to a Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothie that incorporates unsweetened green tea.

Visit Heart.org/eatsmart to find more heart heathy habits.

Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothie

3 cups water

8 single-serving green tea bags

16 ounces frozen mixed berries (about 3 cups)

2 medium bananas, peeled, cut in half and frozen

1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt

2 teaspoons fresh-grated peeled ginger root (optional)

2  teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)

2  teaspoons chia or flax seeds (optional)

In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.

In food processor or blender, process tea, berries, bananas and yogurt until smooth. Add gingerroot and vanilla, if desired, and process until smooth. Pour into four glasses. Sprinkle with chia seeds, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of American Heart Association | Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

Nutrition per serving (w/o optional ingredients): 136 calories; 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 3 mg cholesterol; 23 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 18 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 8 g protein.