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As above, is it better to make your own smoothies or buy the cartoned stuff and if it's better to make yourself, is it best to use fresh fruit adding ice, or frozen fruit? How long do the smoothies last if using either if kept in the fridge? Consume same day or can you get a couple of days out of them?

No brainer really.
Its better to make your own, most of the stuff you buy will have things added to make them last longer.
Some use very good word play to make you think that its all natural but 9/10 its got added something.

I would say its best to get it fresh, but always handy to have some berries in the freezer.

Don't be mistaken to think smoothies are the best way to get to your 5 a day, although its the right kind of sugars, your body is getting them too quick.

Think about it, when you eat a banana, you chew and release the sugars slowly into the body.
You liquids the banana and those sugars are already released and the sugars go straight in, not giving your body a chance to process it properly.

Im not saying its terrible and don't drink smoothies, just pick up some fruit and eat it.

I'm not sure exactly about the cartoned stuff, but we make smoothies and milkshakes a bit at my house, and I think it's a better idea to make it by yourself. It just tastes better (because you can edit the taste as much as you want to suit your likings) and it has less junk in it.

I prefer fresh fruit rather than frozen fruit, for the reason that it just feels nicer. Feels fresher. Just all around nicer. :)

Also, last time I checked, the smoothies can probably last a few days. I highly doubt you can make a smoothie that won't last you at least three days, but I'm not certain. The longest our smoothies have lasted before they were completely eaten, was about 1 or 2 days after it was made. It usually tastes the same, but it probably seems like it tastes much better if eaten the same day. :3

Still delicious either way, though. Just find your favorite method, and be creative. :)

I prefer to make my own smoothies. Fruits such as bananas, peaches and strawberries I like to freeze first but I do still use ice as well to get the consistency I prefer. If I'm making just a banana smoothie, sometimes I toss in a whole frozen banana and a half of a fresh banana. I almost always have banana in my smoothie, and it might last an hour or so but not an entire 24 hours.
I think I would opt to make my own smoothie first, secondly I'ld get one from Planet Smoothie or other smoothie place and lastly pick up one in a carton from the store.

When i was preg, i had a smoothie every morn without fail which got expensive so i just did this,
filled plastic trays (ones with lids) with different fruits and berries, anything you fancy really and pop them into the freezer.
To make 1 i just put a box of the frozen fruit and sometimes milk or extra fruit juice into a blender and whizz it all up.
Because the fruit is frozen it makes it nice and cool and refreshing.

You could use pre frozen friut, this would prob work out cheaper but i just tend to prefer it fresh.
Don't know how long it would keep but it's easy enough to make a fresh one as and when.

Remember tha best differs from convenient.
Natural is always best, no arguments.
Purchased foods will always contain ingredients and procedures that will make them less healthy for you.

Use frozen fruits like bananas, all kinds of berries, peaches, mangoes, pitted cherries, apples, etc ...

Combine with your favorite kinds of Juices and yogut.Will stay for at least 3-4 days refrigerated in a tight top container.

It's better to make your own. It doesn't matter if you use fresh or frozen, it doesn't actually effect the taste or the nutrients. After you blend it, it'll start to turn brown. It's not going bad, don't worry! If you don't mind if being brown, then it can last 2 days in the fridge, it just won't look as pretty.

http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-a-perfect-fuit-smoothie

That's my favorite recipe :)

Assuming that you have a blender, it is best to make your own with your favorite fruits or fruits and veggies with ice cream as an added treat. Store bought smoothies are packed full of refined sugar and they taste good, however, making your own smoothies is delightful, and they taste yummy.

I suggest preparing each batch fresh.

What do you mean best?
It is best to have smoothies pop into existence at whim complete with straw.
But if you mean healthiest/ Fresh is always better because some of the nutrients oxidize when exposed to air. But if you make one it should be good for at least 2 days in the fridge.

anything that is made by you is much healthier because you know whats going in it