Here’s to Your Health

If you’re one of those energetic souls who rises early and jogs, walks or swims briskly several miles each morning, you might be tempted to ride on an energy high and skip breakfast in order to get to work on time. We’ve got a better plan. Pour a “glass of breakfast” and start the day with a nutrition high. After all, if you’re dedicated enough to undertake an exercise regimen designed to either improve or maintain good health, you should be smart enough to regulate your dietary intake, too. And that means far more than merely counting calories; it means following a well-balanced, sensible diet that provides an array of foods from the four food groups. Vary your breakfast drink from day to day; then plan other meals to provide any missing nutrients. Following are some interesting after-exercise drinks that taste just as good as they are good for you.

Dragging after a workout? Restore lost energy with one of these healthy drinks: (from left) Pink Buttermilk Smoothie, Avocado-Yogurt Blenderable Breakfast, Cinnamon Apple Twirl and Sun-Up Sparkler. Glasses, towels, pitcher, tray, stopwatch and weights are from The Broadway; tile is from International Tile, Los Angeles. PRODUCED BY ROBIN TUCKER

CINNAMON-APPLE TWIRL

1 medium apple, peeled and chopped 1 6-ounce can apple juice, chilled 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder Juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Combine apple, apple juice, nonfat dry milk, lemon and cinnamon in blender. Blend 30 seconds, or until smooth. Pour into serving glasses. Makes 2 servings. AVOCADO-YOGURT BLENDER BREAKFAST

1 8-ounce carton lemon yogurt 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and seeded 1/2 apple, unpeeled, cored, cut into wedges 4 medium ice cubes Combine yogurt, avocado, apple and ice cubes in blender. Blend on low speed until smooth. Makes 2 servings.

SUN-UP SPARKLER

1 1/2 cups cold nonfat milk 1/2 6-ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 1 egg cup wheat germ 2 tablespoons sugar Nutmeg Combine milk, orange juice concentrate, egg, wheat germ and sugar in blender container. Cover and blend at high speed about 30 seconds. Chill thoroughly. Pour into glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 2 servings.

PINK BUTTERMILK SMOOTHIE

2 cups cold buttermilk 2 cups cold tomato juice 1 egg 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt Dash hot-pepper sauce Combine buttermilk, tomato juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt and hot-pepper sauce in blender. Mix until combined thoroughly. Makes 4 servings.

HAWAIIAN ENERGY DRINK

cup chopped pineapple cup chopped guava cup chopped papaya 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon nonfat milk powder 1 1/2 tablespoons protein powder Combine pineapple, guava, papaya, yogurt, milk powder and protein powder in blender. Blend until smooth. Makes 1 serving.

MINTED APPLE FLIP

2 cups buttermilk 2 cups unsweetened applesauce, chilled 1 medium banana, sliced 2 to 4 drops mint flavoring 1/8 teaspoon salt Combine buttermilk, applesauce, banana, mint flavoring and salt in blender container. Blend until smooth. Makes 4 servings.

CAROB HONEY WHIP

1 large banana 2 tablespoons carob powder 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon honey Pinch nutmeg Pinch cloves Combine banana, carob powder, milk, yogurt, honey, nutmeg and cloves in blender container. Blend until smooth, about 8 to 10 seconds. Pour into serving glass. Makes 1 serving.