Gluten free ‘Up & Go’

Mr. BWML has a  Weetbix Up & Go drink for breakfast every morning on his way to work. He is not the most health conscious person in the world and it never dawns on him to check the nutrition label of anything. The other day I was in the car with him and noticed an unopened Up & Go. I read the nutrition label and was shocked with the amount ingredients. Now I am not a strict sugar-free believer but it makes me wanna smack the postman when I see sugars with no percentage amounts on the label (PLEASE DON’T GO SMACKING YOUR POST MAN…). Consider me nosy and if there is a sweetener whether it be fructose or corn syrup in something, I would like to know the proportion of them so I can make more educated choices. Given that Mr.BWML drinks these every day, I wanted to make this drink myself with beneficial ingredients and of course undoubtedly gluten free so I can enjoy these too!

The sugar content of a regular banana up and go is 19.3 grams per serving. The smoothie below has approximately 15 grams of sugar however the difference lies in where that sugar is coming from. If you actually read the ingredients list, there is no sign of the word banana it just says “flavour”. The bulk of the sugar derives from the corn syrup and other sweet additives of which the amount is unknown. Even though the sugar difference in both drinks is not that drastic, I prefer knowing in my version, over 90% of the sugar is coming from the banana itself.

Mr. BWML loved it! The banana and the Almond & Coconut milk imparted a lovely sweetness which goes to show how easily sweetness can be achieved without dumping a heap of sugar into something. Every night I put the milk, banana and cinnamon in the blender and keep it in the fridge. All that needs to be done in the morning is add the weetbix and blend.

I used unsweetened almond and coconut milk because I like the sweetness it lends to the smoothie. If you would like it sweeter, agave or maple syrup are awesome options. If you find your smoothie is too thick, just add some more almond & coconut milk.

 

Gluten Free Banana Up & Go (Banana flavour)
(Serves 1)

2 Gluten free weetbix
1 banana peeled
250ml milk of choice ( I used Almond & Coconut milk)
A dash of ground cinnamon

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

If you want a thinner consistency add more milk and if you want it sweeter, a splash of maple syrup goes down well.
ENJOY

And no vegetable gums, stabilisers or preservatives