how do you thicken a smoothie?

I would like to make a low carb smoothie but i am not
sure of the mechanics how how to make a good one.
What makes a smoothie thick? A lot of recipes call
for whey or soy protein but they never say what it
is for. I have been trying xanthan gum, but that's
a bit expensive. Other recipes call for flax seed,
again without saying why.

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 08:01:45 -0800, Abbey Smart wrote:

I would like to make a low carb smoothie but i am not
sure of the mechanics how how to make a good one.
What makes a smoothie thick? A lot of recipes call
for whey or soy protein but they never say what it
is for. I have been trying xanthan gum, but that's
a bit expensive. Other recipes call for flax seed,
again without saying why.

I put one cup of whole frozen strawberries in my morning smoothie.
It comes out very thick and ice cold.

2 cups water
1 cup frozen whole strawberries (you can use *any* frozen berry btw)
2 scoops soy protein powder (or 2 raw eggs)
1 tablespoon honey(optional)

Blend.

(and before *anyone* freaks out and screams...'That is not low
carb!!', I happen to be doing a paleo version of Body For Life which
is working very well for me. I am close to 20 pounds down since I
began. ~~~ )

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You, in the red uniform, go see what that noise is!
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jaime wrote:
2 cups water
1 cup frozen whole strawberries (you can use *any* frozen berry btw)
2 scoops soy protein powder (or 2 raw eggs)
1 tablespoon honey(optional)

What's the use of the soy protein powder?

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 08:27:12 -0800, Abbey Smart wrote:


jaime wrote:
2 cups water
1 cup frozen whole strawberries (you can use *any* frozen berry btw)
2 scoops soy protein powder (or 2 raw eggs)
1 tablespoon honey(optional)

What's the use of the soy protein powder?


Some people like to use that instead of using raw eggs to get thier
protein in. I use the eggs because anything made from soy is not
considered to be a paleo food.

************************************************** **
You, in the red uniform, go see what that noise is!
************************************************** **

Abbey Smart wrote:

I would like to make a low carb smoothie but i am not
sure of the mechanics how how to make a good one.
What makes a smoothie thick? A lot of recipes call
for whey or soy protein but they never say what it
is for. I have been trying xanthan gum, but that's
a bit expensive. Other recipes call for flax seed,
again without saying why.

The commercial ones probably use cheap guar gum.

gtoomey

"Abbey Smart" wrote in message
...
I would like to make a low carb smoothie but i am not
sure of the mechanics how how to make a good one.
What makes a smoothie thick? A lot of recipes call
for whey or soy protein but they never say what it
is for. I have been trying xanthan gum, but that's
a bit expensive. Other recipes call for flax seed,
again without saying why.

Do you have soluable fiber like psyllium or metamucil? Mix it up in the
recommended dosage(or a little more). Let it sit for 5 minutes. It gets
quite thick. It may be the consistancy you are looking for.
Tom

Tom G wrote:
Do you have soluable fiber like psyllium or metamucil? Mix it up in the
recommended dosage(or a little more). Let it sit for 5 minutes. It gets
quite thick. It may be the consistancy you are looking for.
Tom

Good idea. Though 5 minutes is a bit long to wait.

Abbey Smart wrote:
:: Tom G wrote:
::: Do you have soluable fiber like psyllium or metamucil? Mix it up
::: in the recommended dosage(or a little more). Let it sit for 5
::: minutes. It gets quite thick. It may be the consistancy you are
::: looking for. Tom
::
:: Good idea. Though 5 minutes is a bit long to wait.

If I were going to use psyllium or something, then I'd use ground flaxseed
instead. You'll get good omega3 fats + fiber that way.

Guar gum is cheaper than Xantham, and, IMO, results in a better
consistency. Psyllium also thickens, somewhat......

jaime wrote:

(and before *anyone* freaks out and screams...'That is not low
carb!!', I happen to be doing a paleo version of Body For Life which
is working very well for me.

then why are you here?