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Be Active, Drink
Smart
BY DANA JACOBI
FOR THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH |
Today, its hard to walk
down the street without seeing a sports drink in someones
hand. Originally created to help football players and other athletes
replace electrolytes lost through perspiration during vigorous
exercise, these drinks replenish sodium and potassium. Now, with
mass marketing strategies and celebrity endorsements, people
from Little Leaguers to Boomers are gulping sports drinks
both on and off the field.
While most ads for sports drinks
feature athletes working out intensely, many consumers are missing
the message that these products are meant for use after extended
exercise (60 minutes or more). Im a prime example, drawn
by a desire to be one of the active set. Although
my most frequent exercise is a brisk 30 minute walk at least
twice a week, walking around with a bottle of sports drink makes
me feel like Im projecting the look of a more dedicated
athlete.
Well, that was until I took
a look at a label. Besides electrolytes and water, these products
provide ample sugar, 15 grams per eight ounce serving. A 32-ounce
bottle the most popular size sold packs a whopping
five tablespoons of sugar.
Since few people do work out
hard enough to require a true sports drink, I decided to make
up an alternative. The goal was to create a refreshing beverage
that looked cool, too, without the added sugar.
I wanted to use real fruit
in a drink that was lighter than a smoothie, but more satisfying
than simple juice. To do this, I whirled honeydew melon, kiwifruit,
lime juice and agave nectar in a blender and voila! Green Gulp.
Honeydew and kiwi are excellent
sources of vitamin C and both supply potassium to replenish lost
electrolytes in the case of excessive perspiration. Agave nectar,
made from the cactus plant and sold at natural food stores, is
much sweeter than sugar, so you need only a touch. For extra
refreshment, you can freeze the melon before pureeing it, and
whirl a few mint leaves into this tall, green drink.

Green
Gulp (Or Honeydew Kiwi Smoothie) - Makes 2 servings
- 2 cups cubed honeydew melon,
frozen or well-chilled
- 1 ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbsp. agave nectar (or honey)
- 2 mint sprigs, optional, for
garnish
In blender, whirl melon, kiwi,
lime juice and sweetener until smoothly blended. If using frozen
melon, divide smoothie between 2 tall, narrow glasses. If using
chilled melon, pour the smoothie into glasses filled with ice
cubes. Garnish each glass with mint sprig, if desired, and serve
immediately.
Per serving: 120 calories,
0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 32 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein,
3 g dietary fiber, 35 mg sodium.
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