Fruit Smoothie Carbs/Sugar

BurntCoffee

I really love to drink my "Syddlebugz Smoothie" recipe (named after my daughter Sydney) as a meal. Usually breakfast or lunch. It satisfies my sweet tooth, fills me up for a good long while, and I am giving my body good nutrients and fiber. It has 48 carbs and 32 grams of sugar (not added, natural) in the 200 calories worth of deliciousness. So thats a lot of my carb (48 of 151) and sugar (32 of 161) allowances for the day.

1 Cup Frozen Mixed Fruit (Frozen Strawberry, Peach, Mango, Pineapple)
1/2 of a medium frozen banana
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon stevia or splenda if I am really having a sweet tooth craving

I have three questions. I have scrolled through these boards a few times but I get so overwhelmed by all the back and forth that my brain has turned into the consistency of my smoothies. These boards can be very informative but also very overwhelming and intimidating to those of us that are "newbies". (I joined in 2012 but only started logging April 29th this year).

If anyone can offer any constructive ideas or thoughts I would sincerely appreciate it.

1. Is there anything I can do to make this smoothie healthier without adding too many more calories and without altering the taste too much? I want something sweet, not a mean green.

2. What are your thoughts on sugars and carbs from fruit. I am stuck in the weight watchers mindset that these don't really matter all that much, but I still log them. Do they matter? I'm guessing they pretty much do. (hopefully this isn't a grenade of a question, I really don't want to have to scroll through bickering)

3. I try not to eat past 7:30 (hubby works late so we eat late). Is drinking a smoothie later in the day just going to sit in my stomach and be absorbed more easily since I go to bed around 10:00? Should I just go ahead and spread the smoothie onto my thighs and get it over with if I drink it that late?

I really sincerely appreciate your own personal experiences and thoughts on this. Hopefully someday I too can be of help to a newbie.

GreatDepression

change 1 cup frozen fruit to 1/2 cup frozen fruit AND 1 cup frozen leafy greens. The taste and volume pretty much won't change but the smoothie will turn greenish. Also, change the yogurt to nonfat greek yogurt for more protein. I'm on a smoothie mode like you but realized that I unfortunately needed to cut back on the fruit I was putting in due to the high number of fructose/carbs in it.

BurntCoffee

I didn't realize Greek Yogurt had more protein. That's a great idea. I struggle to get enough protein so that will really help. Thank you! Maybe I will try to add some kale. I don't get nearly enough vegetables.

Thanks!