Instructions for all recipes: Combine ingredients and blend until smooth.

Jonathan Kantor

Assemble the recommended nine servings of fruits and vegetables on your kitchen counter, and the prospect of choking them all down in a day seems impossible. Blend them into an ice-cold smoothie, however, and suddenly being healthy becomes very doable. "Smoothies give you a fantastic nutritional bang for the buck," says Wendy Bazilian, R. D., author of The SuperFoods Rx Diet.

These pureed powerhouses can do much more than help you hit your nutrition quotas. We've whipped up the six best smoothie recipes designed with ingredients that tackle a variety of health concerns. Get ready to stretch your blender's limits way beyond party drinks.

The Tummy Smoother

You crunch and Pilates your way to a lean, mean middle, and then digestive woes like water retention, bloating, or constipation sabotage your flat-belly dreams. This stomach-friendly smoothie will help: It contains the enzyme papain as well as potassium, both of which calm an angry digestive system, plus four grams of fiber to tame and flatten an upset tummy. Ginger and mint nix nausea, fend off flatulence, and freshen breath. Bonus: The probiotics in yogurt boost friendly bacteria in your digestive tract to lessen gas.

1 c peeled, seeded, cubed papaya1 c frozen sliced peaches1 medium pear, cubed, skin optional1 Tbsp ground flax seed1 tsp sliced ginger6 mint leaves1/2 c low-fat Greek yogurt 6 ice cubes

Garnish with mint after blending.

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 109 cal, 2 g fat (0.5 g sat), 21 g carbs, 15 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein

The Wrinkle Fighter

This berry-based beautifier will get a thumbs-up from your dermatologist for its skin-smoothing combo: anti-aging vitamin E from wheat germ, sun-damage- fighting omega-3 fatty acids from flax seed, and vitamin C from berries. "Vitamin C is essential for making collagen, tissue that literally holds your skin together and reduces the appearance of fine lines," says certified dietitian Christine Avanti, author of Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads. Plus, the oleic acid (a type of monounsaturated fat) in avocado has been linked to reducing wrinkles.

1 c blueberries1 c pitted cherries1/2 c strawberries, hulled1/4 avocado, peeled and pitted2 Tbsp wheat germ2 Tbsp ground flax seed1/2 c plain low-fat yogurt1 c ice

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 153 cal, 5.6 g fat(1 g sat), 23 g carbs, 35 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 6 g protein

The Immunity Builder

Loaded with boosters like beta-carotene and vitamin C from mango, cantaloupe, and pineapple, this smoothie primes your infection-fighting army for action. "Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells and antibodies," says Tanya Zuckerbrot, R. D., author of The F-Factor Diet. Finally, the duo of almonds and almond milk delivers plenty of defense-fortifying zinc.

1 c peeled, pitted, cubed mango1 c chopped cantaloupe1/2 c cubed pineapple, fresh or canned1/3 c ground almonds1/2 c unsweetened almond milk1 c ice

Garnish with sliced almonds after blending.

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 150 cal, 6.8 g fat (0.5 g sat), 22 g carbs, 41 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein

The Baby Protector

This prenatal superstar packs the nutrients you need when you're expecting: Folate from OJ reduces the risk of birth defects, iron in prune juice helps blood carry oxygen to the baby, and calcium in milk helps prevent bone loss, says Cheryl Forberg, R.D., nutritionist for NBC's The Biggest Loser and the author of Positively Ageless. Blackberries, apricots, and kiwi offer healing vitamin C for a postnatal edge.

3 Tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate1 c frozen blackberries2 c peeled, cubed kiwis 2 apricots, skin optional1/2 c skim milk powder1 c prune juice, frozen in ice cube trays (or 1/2 c prune juice and 1 c ice cubes)

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 200 cal, 0.6 g fat (0 g sat), 45 g carbs, 78 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 6 g protein

The Hunger Killer

This hearty blend is stocked with filling fiber from fruit and protein from tofu. "Fiber helps you feel full without contributing tons of calories, and protein is the most satiating nutrient," says WH advisor Lisa Drayer, R. D., author of The Beauty Diet. Get added ammunition from the omega-3 fatty acids in flax seed oil. "Omega-3's help increase your metabolic rate and burn fat," Avanti says. "They've also been found to reduce the size and number of fat cells, especially in the belly."

1 c strawberries, hulled1 c cubed mango1 lime, peeled and seeded2 Tbsp flax seed oil1/2 c silken tofu (1/4 of a package)1 1/2 c ice

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 165 cal,10 g fat(1 g sat), 18 g carbs, 6 mgsodium,3 g fiber, 3 g protein

The Energy Booster

Potassium-rich bananas deliver energizing carbs, while protein powder and peanut butter give you energy to get through the three o'clock slump. Pantothenic acid, a B vitamin in yogurt and honey, helps convert food into fuel. Iron-rich wheat germ and cinnamon up blood oxygen levels so you won't get winded during your midday workout.

2 frozen bananas, peeled and chopped2 scoops chocolate protein powder2 Tbsp peanut butter2 Tbsp wheat germ1 tsp cinnamon1 Tbsp honey3/4 c low-fat Greek yogurt4 Tbsp skim milk powder 2 c ice

Makes 3 servings. Per serving: 294 cal,7 g fat(2 g sat), 38 g carbs, 102 mgsodium,4 g fiber, 25 g protein

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io