Is It Healthy To Have A Smoothie For Breakfast
Smoothies can make a healthy breakfast if you have a good balance of ingredients and nutrientsincluding protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Smoothies that heavily rely on veggies over fruit instantly cut down on sugar and increase the fiber content. You also want to avoid adding a lot of fruit juice and sweeteners, like syrups and honey, to limit the sweet stuff. Adding yogurt and protein powder helps make smoothies more filling, so youll stay satisfied longer. Just be sure to choose powders that have little to no added sugar and have zero artificial ingredients.
The liquid bases you use in your smoothie also play a big role. Skip fruit juices, which are packed with sugar and lack protein and fat, and go for low-fat milk or an unsweetened, non-dairy milk alternative, like almond, coconut, or cashew. Some non-dairy milks have less protein than cows milk, but they offer healthy fats to keep you satiated.
Green Smoothies For Weight Loss And Fat Burning
The following green smoothie recipes for weight loss are rich in plant-based nutrients, include natural sugar only , and are balanced with healthy fats.
Replace one or two meals per day with one of these green smoothies, and youll feel and look fantastic. Research for my book The Green Smoothies Diet showed that the top 5 results from a daily green smoothie habit are: more energy, weight loss, better digestion, brighter skin, and decreased cravings.
Green smoothies are also super simple and inexpensive to make. Take advantage of the frozen produce section, and buy fresh produce thats in season to make the most of your smoothie dollar. Feel free to amp up the protein content with clean, no-additive protein powder.
Berry Green Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
I love adding spinach to breakfast smoothies, it has virtually no taste and is packed full of calcium, potassium and best of all it naturally boosts metabolism!
The flavor of the spinach is completely masked by the berries, and the color is masked as well, no one will ever know this is a green smoothie!
These detox smoothies for weight loss are ideal for the Lose Weight By Eating Detox Plans!
Recommended Reading: Healthy Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Recipes
Tropical Papaya Perfection Smoothie
This coconut-infused breakfast smoothie tastes just as decadent as a milkshake. One sip will immediately transport you to a tropical island.
Cut 1 papaya into chunks and blend it with 1 cup of fat-free, plain yogurt, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup crushed ice, 1 tsp. coconut extract, and 1 tsp. ground flaxseed. Process the mixture for about 30 seconds, or until its smooth and frosty.
Nutrition :299 calories, 1.5 g fat, 13 g protein, 64 g carbs , 44 g sugars
Orange Creamsicle Protein Shake
The high-protein, high-fiber profile of this creamy smoothie makes it an excellent choice when youre battling hunger during your weight loss journey. Both protein and fiber slow down digestion and promote satiety signals to be sent to the brain. Together, well, lets just say food will be off your mind for the next few hoursunless like me you enjoy the smoothie too much and cannot wait to have it again! Paul Salter, MS, RD, and former nutrition editor of Bodybuilding.com.
Also Check: French Onion Dip Recipe Easy
Healthy Carrot Cake Smoothie
First, well start off with a pretty untraditional smoothie recipe. Im sure most of you think of fruit and berries when you think of smoothies.
But this isnt the case here. Instead, we will develop the delicious flavors of a rich, spicy carrot cake in smoothie-form.
Greek yogurt and almond milk create a smooth, creamy base for the smoothie. The fresh ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg will give you the traditional flavor you would find in a carrot cake.
Plus, being packed with a whole banana and a handful of walnuts means that it will definitely leave you feeling full and satisfied.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 tsp fresh ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Sugar: 32g
Perfect Pick Me Up Green Smoothie
Serves 4
- Pineapple
- Pure coconut water
Enjoy the delicious and refreshing taste of this perfect pick me up smoothie and back in its numerous health benefits. This green smoothie boasts of the perfect balance of healthy veggies and sweet fruits along with a hint of coconut water that adds a tropical taste to it. You can have it for breakfast or lunch and notch up your store of lasting energy.
Both cucumber and grapes are loaded with fiber and water and extremely low in calories which helps to increase satiety and reduce hunger pangs for a long time. Mint helps to prevent bloating by relaxing the stomach muscles and increases bile flow which improves the digestion of fats.
Get the full recipe from fashionablefoods
You May Like: Dr Oz Rapid Weight Loss Recipes
Almond & Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie
This is definitely a smoothie for chocolate lovers, yet is only 300 calories and provides 9 grams of fiber, says Gans.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup frozen strawberries or mixed berries, if you prefer
- 3-6 ice cubes I use 5, depending on how thick you like your shakes
Steps:Starting with the almond milk, place all the ingredients into a blender. Depending on your blenders settings, first start by chopping up the ice and frozen strawberries, followed by pureeing the mixture to create a smooth, even consistency. In order to get your preferred consistency, you can also start by not adding any ice, following the other steps above. Once all other ingredients are mixed together, slowly add the ice, mix and then test. Continue to add more ice cubes until the desired consistency is met. If too thick, you can add some more almond milk, little by little. If not sweet enough, add a little more honey.
Almond Chai Green Smoothie
Serves 1
- Almond Milk
- Vanilla extract
This is a rich and creamy breakfast smoothie loaded with the inviting flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. The almond butter, almond milk and banana provide the perfect consistency to the smoothie and its mellow sweetness beautifully balances the bitter taste of the greens.
Both almond milk and almond butter contains good fats omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids that prevents build up of bad cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar. Vitamin E and magnesium present in almond milk and butter prevents sudden rise or dips in blood sugar levels which in turn reduces food cravings.
Get the full recipe from thehealthymaven
Don’t Miss: Best Fruit Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss
Pear And Spinach Smoothie
- Unsweetened milk of your choice
- Ice
Sweetening your green smoothie with soaked dates is a great idea. It helps to cover up the bitter taste of the spinach without loading up on sugar and empty calories. The pear and banana packed some nutrient and protein punch into the smoothie while the unsweetened milk adds some thickness to it.
The high fiber content of pears helps the body feel full longer and reduces the likeliness of snacking. It also helps in maintaining regularity of the digestive system which is also essential for weight loss. Fructose and glucose present in this fruit provide natural energy boost and the low GL index of this fruit results in slower carbohydrate absorption that stabilizes blood sugar and controls cravings for food.
Get the full recipe from backtoherroots
Processed Foods That Are Okay On A Whole Food Diet
Many brands of cereals are fortified with B vitamins, which can be hard to come by on a plant-based diet.
For example, vitamin B12 , is largely found in animal sources. It is something that those on a plant-based diet need to keep an eye on, as studies show that around 20% of us are deficient. And we also know that 65% of vegans and vegetarians dont take a B vitamin supplement.
So in that case, choosing a cereal fortified with B vitamins would be a good option, if done wisely. By that I mean use your discretion and check the labels, as many brands of cereals are packed with sugar and additives. But you can strategically choose minimally processed foods using a whole foods mentality.
As a rule of thumb, if there are any ingredients that you cant pronounce, dont understand, or sound artificial, they probably are best avoided.
Don’t Miss: Aunt Jemima Waffle Mix Recipe
Skinny Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
Pumpkin lovers, this one is for you!
Combining both pumpkin and banana is a great way to get your pumpkin fix without the extra sugary calories.
Pumpkin is known to be a good source of fiber, which helps to curb your appetite. Plus, its low in calories!
On the other hand, bananas are packed with fiber and vital nutrients. They are considered to be fruits that are filling and makes you feel full longer.
Give this Skinny Pumpkin Banana Smoothie a go, especially during the fall. We promise its going to be magical!
Are High Protein Fruit Smoothies Healthy
Crave-worthy fruit smoothies are indeed healthy if you mix them right! Be sure to follow these pointers and youll end up with a good-for-you smoothie.
- Dont add juice from the grocery store shelf to your smoothie. Choose liquids like coconut water and unsweetened almond milk like we did for the 5 High Protein Fruit Smoothies for Weight Loss found in this post. Other good choices are hemp milk and soy milk.
- Add healthy fats like Greek yogurt and avocado. That way, along with the fat, youll get extra protein from the yogurt and vitamins and antioxidants from the avocado.
- If you think you need a sweetener, add cinnamon or a dash of pure maple syrup. Dont add artificial sweeteners.
- Dont forget your greens. They add extra nutrients and blend in well with fruits like bananas and strawberries.
Also Check: Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Matcha Green Tea Smoothies
This matcha green tea smoothie is the perfect breakfast smoothie to power up for the day!
Green tea is a great addition to your weight loss diet because it helps to burn fats and is known to improve exercise performance. It also has natural caffeine which helps boosts energy without feeling the jittery effects of coffee.
Blend in your green smoothies such as spinach and mango, and add in some green tea for a lovely, subtle flavor! Youll feel super refreshed and zen for the rest of the day.
Whole Foods And The Gut
Whole foods are loaded with fibers that are sometimes lost during processing or refinement. Fiber is essential for a healthy gut because aside from its traditional roughage reputation, it also feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut, providing a whole host of other benefits.
They also provide a lot of variety, which the gut loves. The more variety, the better. So, even though you might fall in love with certain recipes, its important to mix up the kinds of whole foods you eat to maintain a healthy gut. Aim for 30 different whole foods each week. Its easier than you think!
Recommended Reading: Kfc Original Recipe Chicken Whole Wing
The Best Green Smoothie
Okay, lets be real. We all want to add a little more green into our lives. However, sometimes it can be hard to gag down. Change all of that with this 5-star smoothie recipe. Not only is this smoothie incredibly delicious, but its also packed with nutrients. Chug those greens the easy way!
Ingredient Slimming Banana Beet Smoothie
Incredibly creamy with deliciously sweet notes, this Beet Banana Smoothie was the perfect way to start my morning.
All its ingredients balanced out the earthy flavor of the beetroot for instance, the banana was a nice contrast to the vegetables natural bitterness while celery toned it down. Both the milk and yogurt also made the drink very filling, giving me enough fuel to last until lunchtime.
In addition to the beetroot, this smoothie recipe also calls for other ingredients that make it deliciously thicker and add even more benefits.
For example, bananas contain large amounts of fiber and potassium, which help speed up metabolism, while celery is known to help reduce bloating, thanks to its high percentage of water and electrolytes.
I also added some frozen rhubarb to the mix because I had quite a lot of it left over from the last rhubarb season, and it worked surprisingly well.
Ingredients:
Check out this Beet Banana Smoothie recipe from Whisk Affair.
You May Like: Best Keto Slow Cooker Recipes
Skinny Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie
This vegan recipe will have you drooling for more! Its vegan, low calorie, and delicious! What makes it different than any regular strawberry smoothie? The secret is in a butter extract that gives it a rich pastry flavor while keeping it low in calories. If you feel like leaving your chair to blend this one up right away, you are in good company.
Healthy Coffee Smoothie Recipe
Cashew butter doesnt get the attention it deserves. Its even more delicious than peanut butter and contains a lot of nutrients too.
Youll find a wide variety of cashew butter in the market raw and salted. From a health perspective, raw nut butter is better than salted one.
Try to choose raw organic cashew butter without added sweeteners. Great cashew butter really only needs one ingredient: cashews. The fewer ingredients store-bought nut butter has, the healthier it usually is.
If you cant find raw organic cashew butter at your grocery store, try making your own homemade nut butter. All you need is a good high-speed blender comparable to a Vitamix and, a bit of oil, and some cashews. Heres a great cashew butter recipe to get you started.
When youre trying to lose weight, its important to consume nuts and nut butter in moderation. Cashew butter contains healthy fats that are beneficial for your health, but it also contains plenty of calories. A small handful of nuts or 1-2 tablespoon of nut butter a day can fit well into a weight-loss diet.
Ingredients:
You May Like: Recipes For Stress And Anxiety
The 10 Best Green Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss:
In this section you will find 10 weight loss smoothies. If you are looking to start a green smoothie diet, keep scrolling for 2 green smoothie diet options.
Here are some of the best green smoothie recipes I have found. I encourage you to try different ingredients and find the ones you especially like, because the goal is to drink these green smoothies as often as you can.
Health Benefits Of Ingredients For Weight Loss
Bananas for Weight LossBananas are rich in insoluble fiber, it makes up more than half the banana!
This will help promote regularity, which is important for weight loss.
Pineapples for Weight LossPineapples are higher in sugar that other fruits so if youre trying to lose weight, keep this ingredient to a minimum.
Bromelain is an enzyme found in the stem of pineapples Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory and it also breaks down protein perfect for our next ingredients that helps with weight loss!
Almonds for Weight LossAlmonds are a satiating snack that will keep you from getting hungry and snacking more items, which will add more calories when youre trying to eat less!
As long as you eat almonds in moderation, such as a small handful or adding them to a smoothie like this one, they can definitely help you to lose weight.
Cinnamon for Weight LossCinnamon can imitate insulin in the body and control its levels which helps regulate blood sugar.
Increase blood sugar levels can cause excess fat to be stored, so its important to maintain and regulate blood sugar.
One study showed that adding cinnamon to a meal can lower its glycemic index by 18-29%! Cinnamon also can increase metabolism similar to hot peppers, which will burn more calories and help with weight loss.
Spinach for Weight LossSpinach is a nutritional powerhouse that is low in calories and carbohydrates but super high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Also Check: Pumpkin Pie Recipe With Oat Milk
Can Other Diets Also Be Whole Food Diets
Heres where it gets confusingyes, other diets can also be whole food diets. Eating a whole food diet is a lifestyle choice, but many other diets can exist within a whole foods construct. So, diets like the MIND Diet and Mediterranean Diet are also whole food diets.
For example, here are the foods involved in the MIND Diet:
- Green, leafy vegetables five times a week
- Five or more different colored fruits and vegetables every day.
- Berries five times a week
- Five or more servings of nuts a week
- Olive oil five times a week
- Whole grains five times a week
- Oily fish twice a week or take an algae-based omega-3 supplement
- Legumes and pulses five times a week
- White meat/mix of plant-based proteins twice a week
- No more than one glass of wine a day
- One or two coffee or tea a day max
- Two liters of water a day
Thats pretty much a whole food diet, right? As long as any meat or plant-based proteins are as unprocessed as possible, then it can be a whole food diet.
Other diets, like a vegan diet, for instance, could be whole food diets or not. It really depends if processed foods are included. Some food substitutes are really heavily processed, so its important to read labels really carefully. But its only some, not all.
Green Weight Loss Smoothies
Popping into a juice bar for a cold cup of extruded kale juice may be all the rage, but when it comes to both nutritional impact and weight-loss power, juices can’t hold a candle to smoothies.
- First, most commercial juices use apple juice, which is a high-sugar, low-nutrient base.
- Second, juicing strips all the natural fiber out of produce: the rough stuff is what makes it good.
- And third, juices lack fat and protein without these crucial elements, you’re getting no fat-burning, metabolism-boosting benefits.
Next time you want to drink your veggies, blend up one of these seriously nutritious recipes from the book Zero Belly Smoothies.
All recipes make one serving.
Don’t Miss: Cucumber Recipes For Weight Loss