Banana Fruit Smoothie

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orange juice 
• 1 banana, cut up and frozen 
• ½ cup frozen fruit (mangos, peaches, cherries, berries if tolerated)
• 1 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
• a few pieces of  ice

Directions:

• Pour the juice into blender.
• Add the fruit and yogurt, and then blend. 
• Add the ice towards the end of the blending .

Good for people with IBD.  The probiotics (good  bacteria) in the yogurt aid in digestion, decrease inflammation, and (along with fiber) help repair the digestive tract. The banana in this smoothie contains prebiotic dietary fiber (food for the good bacteria), vitamins, and minerals.  Fruits are full of antioxidants, which help to remove damaging inflammatory compounds called free radicals from your body.

For IBD patients just recovering from a flare, protein is important to regain weight and repair damaged intestinal tissue. To increase the protein content of this smoothie, silken tofu can be added. Greek yogurt also has a higher protein content than regular yogurt.