Weight Loss Smoothies - Do they Work?

The big question about weight loss smoothies is; 'Are smoothies good for weight loss?'

Yes, a healthy smoothie made from fresh fruit and vegetables is good for you. But, if you drink too much then you may be contributing to your weight gain without knowing it.

Smoothies can be a delicious and an easy way to grab nutrients on the go. But they are not always the healthiest thing to drink. Depending on the ingredients, smoothies can be loaded with sugar and fat.

In this video I chat to prenatal Dietitian Carla Johnson who explains the common trap associated with consuming a diet of lots of smoothies and your inability to lose weight.

There is No Magic Smoothie for Weight Loss

Unfortunately, there is not magic smoothie you can create to lose weight directly.

Strategically incorporating smoothies into your diet can play a part in losing weight if it helps you to consume less calories while still getting your vital nutrients.

Mama - Is Now the Best Time for You to Lose Weight?

If you are mama, and your body has healed and recovered form pregnancy, and you are now wanting to lose weight, then it is important to note that there are a number of key factors that are important to losing weight. These factors include sleep, stress, hormones and other medical issues.

Please chat to your doctor before starting a postpartum exercise program or modifying your diet. Especially if you are still breast feeding.

The Holistic Approach to Losing Weight

When I say holistic approach, I mean you need to eat healthy foods, exercise, avoid too much alcohol, get plenty of rest and sleep, avoid stress as much as you can, and commit to a healthy lifestyle.

For you personally, weight loss in and of itself might not be a healthy goal. If you have a history of disordered eating, you should consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Are Smoothies Good for Weight Loss after Pregnancy?

Smoothies aren't the solution to easily losing weight. Your body has gone through a lot - it's brought new life into the world. The after effects of which, may have left you a little wobbly in some bits and soft in others.

Your situation is different from others who have not just had a baby. So, please be kind to yourself!

To lose weight you must consider all of the behaviours that support a healthy body.

So, drinking smoothies could fit as one of those weight-loss behaviours but it is not the only part of the puzzle. You still need to focus on exercising, eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of physical activity, ensuring adequate sleep, and practicing stress management.

Are Fruit Smoothies Healthy?

We all know that fruits have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The issue with some smoothies is that they often become hyper-concentrated sources of fruit sugars.

The key is to balance it by adding dark leafy greens such as kale or spinach and protein to keep blood sugar in check and control cravings and hunger.

How to Make Healthy Smoothies

As you will see form the endless smoothie recipes, you can put nearly anything into a smoothie. To start with, most consist of either water, milk or kefir. And then you add fruits, seeds, vegetables, nuts, protein powder, and toppings.

If you want to make a healthy smoothie then you need to know what is going into it and the calorie content.

Let's Chat About Smoothies from the Shop

When you buy a smoothie from a store you lose total control over quality and quantity of the ingredients used. This is a problem if you are trying to lose weight.

Many store-bought smoothies use artificial sweeteners, sweetened dairy products, fruit juice or large amounts of fat that all contribute to higher amounts of sugar, fat and calories.

Are Green Smoothies Healthy?

In general, yes. Green smoothies are a great way to get much-needed vegetables.

Can A Smoothie Replace A Meal?

As Carla talks about in our video, it is vital you get most of your nutrients from eating the healthy foods. Smoothies can replace a meal, but not every meal, as some weight loss diets tell you to do!

The Best Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes

1. Green tea smoothie

NUTRITION: 250 calories

Ingredients:

1 cup green tea

⅛ avocado

1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder

½ frozen banana

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Water to blend (optional)

2. Apple Smoothie

NUTRITION: 273 calories

Ingredients:

1 Apple
¼ frozen banana
½ Pink Lady apple
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional but recommended)
1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
Ground cinnamon

3. Banana Smoothie

NUTRITION: 290 calories

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
4 fresh cherries, pitted
2 dark chocolate squares
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
2 ice cubes

4. Peach

NUTRITION: 277 calories

Ingredients:

½ peach
½ frozen banana
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
Water to blend (optional)

5. Ginger Smoothie

NUTRITION: 264 calories

Ingredients:

½ cup frozen strawberries
¼ frozen banana
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
Dash of ground pepper
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 scoop plain plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional)

6. Parsley

NUTRITION: 220 calories

Ingredients:

¼ cup fresh parsley (include the stems)
½ frozen banana
1 teaspoon chia seeds
½ cup watercress
½ cup frozen strawberries
1 scoop plain plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional)

7. Romaine Lettuce

NUTRITION: 290 calories

Ingredients:

1 cup romaine lettuce
½ cup spinach
½ apple with peel, seeded and quartered
1 tablespoon chia seeds
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop plain plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional)

8. Lemon Kale Smoothie

NUTRITION: 260 calories

Ingredients:

1 cup kale
½ lemon, peeled and seeded
½ frozen banana
4 ice cubes
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop plain plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional)

Takeaway

Smoothies are healthy for you. And they can be a part of your diet when trying to lose weight. The key factors involve not drinking too much, controlling the ingredients that goes into a smoothie and making sure you still eat solid foods to get all your nutrients.