5 Best Smoothie Recipes for Weight Loss | Tips for Healthy
Trying to find healthy smoothies for weight loss? Look no further; we’ve got you covered. Healthy smoothies are a perfect addition to your diet if you are seeking weight loss and creating a healthier eating pattern. They’re easy, filling, and full of great nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. Did I mention they’re delicious?
1. Pineapple Kale Green Smoothie
Kale, a member of the cruciferous family, is an amazing superfood. This leafy green, like many fruits and veggies, contains phytochemicals, which are compounds that protect cells from a range of damages that may lead to health issues like cancer.
Additionally, kale contains an array of other nutrients like vitamins K, E, and calcium. Plus it has a high protein content (compared to other veggies); 1 cup contains 3 grams of protein. Because of all these wonderful components, kale may help prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol, promote bone health, and boost the immune system. However, if you are taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor before adding a bunch of this leafy green to your smoothie.
Most adults need 2 – 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day (sounds like a lot!), so adding greens to a breakfast smoothie is an easy way to increase your vegetable intake, helping you achieve a healthy diet and helping you reach your weight loss goals.
Pineapple is a great food to incorporate into your diet. This yellow, tropical fruit hosts an enzyme group (bromelain) that may aid your digestion and reduce bloating. Since pineapples may not be as easy to find fresh, frozen pineapple works just as well. Also, you can substitute milk with 1 cup of coconut water for a tropical flavor and a post-workout electrolyte boost.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups raw kale leaves, stems removed
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 1 cup frozen or fresh banana
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup pineapple pieces
- 2 tbsp nut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 cup of almond milk (or milk of choosing)
- 1 to 2 tsp honey, to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in your blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Adjust liquid to create your preferred consistency.
2. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This strawberry and banana creamy drink is my go-to smoothie recipe and it’s a wonderful way to start your morning! These red berries are bursts of deliciousness and are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. One serving of strawberries (about 8 berries per cup) contains more vitamin C than an orange!
Not only does the banana add creaminess to this smoothie, but it also provides sweetness; one reason why you can skip the honey in this recipe.
Because of the fiber, bananas help you feel full, quelling the post-breakfast hunger pangs. The combination of fiber, protein, and fat lowers cravings so you won’t be reaching for snacks two hours later, one reason why this smoothie can help you on your weight loss journey.
Thanks to the sweet fruits, this is one delicious breakfast smoothie your kids would love. If you have family members with a nut allergy, feel free to omit the nuts in the recipe and use dairy milk as a substitute to ensure protein is present. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to this fruit smoothie for a touch of nuttiness.
Frozen fruit will make a slightly thicker smoothie than fresh fruit.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1/2 banana
- 2 tbsp sliced raw nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, and walnuts are all excellent sources of protein, fiber, and healthy fatty acids)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup granola (choose an unsweetened one)
- 1 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 1 cup of soy or almond milk or other non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Directions
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and serve. Enjoy!
3. Dark Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Who said that your healthy breakfast smoothies couldn’t taste sweet? This is probably one of my favorite smoothie recipes because of its rich and decadent taste. It basically tastes like a dessert shake.
While, on your weight loss journey, it is important to incorporate alternatives to the foods we love or eat them in moderation. Completely cutting out our favorite foods can create a greater longing for them, increasing the chances of a binge or giving up on weight loss completely.
If you are still hungry after dinner and craving a little sweetness, this makes for a great dessert, a substitute for a sugary milkshake. With all the healthy nutrients, this smoothie will keep you from midnight snacking, thus helping with weight loss.
The banana in this recipe creates a smooth, creamy texture, almost replicating ice cream with the benefit of numerous nutrients. Spinach contains calcium (important for bone health), iron (needed to transport oxygen throughout the body), and vitamin K (a helpful component of the blood clotting process).
However, with all the vitamin K, spinach may cause side-effects if taking blood thinners, so talk to your doctor before adding a bunch of spinach to your diet.
With all the other ingredients, you won’t be able to taste the spinach. The kids won’t notice either!
In addition to magnesium, potassium, and iron, cocoa powder contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. Cocoa is a wonderful way to get your chocolate fix without the excess sugar. Add 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt or use soy/cow’s milk for a boost of protein and minerals.
The protein and fiber from the fruits, veggies, chia seeds, and milk in this smoothie will satisfy your hunger so you won’t reach for snacks an hour after breakfast, making this a good weight loss smoothie.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup raw spinach
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choosing)
- 3 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. honey (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in your blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
- Top it off with 1 tbsp. of unsweetened granola for a bit of crunchiness (optional).
4. Turmeric and Ginger Tropical Smoothie
This drink is a rejuvenating snack, perfect for a healthy weight loss meal plan. Plus, both ginger and turmeric contain antioxidants and may assist in decreasing markers of inflammation in the body.
Ginger provides a little dose of magnesium and vitamin C. Ginger is well-known in traditional medicine and alternative treatments as it may help relieve nausea and period pain and aid digestion. However, caution should be taken if wanting to supplement with ginger, as it may cause negative side effects with some medications, including blood thinners.
Not only does the golden hue of turmeric appeal to the eye, but it also contains a phytochemical compound known as curcumin. Curcumin is thought to be an anti-inflammatory agent, possibly protecting the body against cancerous cells and neurodegenerative diseases.
Its tropical fruit buzz comes primarily from the mango in this breakfast smoothie. Mango adds a variety of health and nutritional benefits for few calories. Replace almond milk for soy or cow milk to add protein, satisfying your hunger, and promoting weight loss.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond, cow’s, or soy milk
- ½ fresh or frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen or fresh mango chunks
- ½ Tsp. each ground turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom
- 1 tsp flaxseed
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in your blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Adjust liquid to create your preferred consistency.
5. Blueberry Avocado Mango Smoothie
Just because you want to eat healthy and lose weight doesn’t mean you need to stuff your weight loss smoothie with green veggies every day. You can have a perfectly healthy berry smoothie full of non-veggie superfoods. This recipe shows you just how to combine ingredients like antioxidant-rich blueberries, healthy-fat laden avocado, and fiber-rich chia seeds for a delicious smoothie.
This is one summer drink you will want to sip by the pool, making a wonderful replacement for the calorie and sugar-heavy smoothies from Smoothie King. Despite their tiny size, chia seeds have an amazing nutrition content. The little seeds contain nutrients that help facilitate weight loss and promote a healthy body: omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. Due to their omega-3 and fiber content, these seeds may be beneficial for heart and brain health.
The soluble fiber slows the digestion process, helping with satiety (promoting weight loss), and decreases blood glucose spikes after drinking your smoothie. They also house micronutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc!
I also love that this recipe uses avocado for a change. It’s a great way to create a rich and creamy texture at the end without using bananas. With this substitution, you decrease your carbohydrate intake by not having to add a banana for thickness.
My favorite add-ins to this recipe are 1 teaspoon flaxseeds, a handful of blackberries, 1 scoop whey protein or pea protein powder (if recommended by your healthcare provider), and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to bring out the aroma and flavor.
There are so many ways you can enjoy this weight loss smoothie without losing the healthfulness. Here is the base to start with and try your own combination of ingredients to enjoy the variety and make this smoothie recipe your own.
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups frozen mango
- ½ avocado
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp matcha powder (optional)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter
- 1½ – 2 cups of coconut water
- 1 tbsp raw honey (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in your blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Add more liquid to create your preferred consistency.
- Add 1 Tbsp of granola of coconut flakes for a smoothie topping
Final Take
There you have it! Five fiercely delicious yet wonderfully healthy smoothie recipes for weight loss promotion.
There are so many other foods I wanted to include but couldn’t fit into this small list of healthy smoothies for weight loss. For the summer, go for fresh, summer produce like peaches, celery, kiwi, cucumber, and cherries. Use other summer fruits straight from the freezer, like frozen pineapple chunks or blueberries. Another great option is to add green tea for a refreshing drink.
If you want fall-themed smoothies for weight loss (and overall healthy eating), try adding apple pieces, pumpkin puree, oats, or cinnamon. Make these healthy smoothie recipes your own!
Sipping on these delicious smoothies can definitely help you feel full by reducing your appetite and can be low-calorie. However, keep in mind that in order to lose weight, it is important to include nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, in addition to exercise, for a healthy weight loss. This is just one delicious (and awesome!) change to help you start your weight loss journey.
Trying to lose weight can be frustrating and sometimes difficult, but I hope this list of smoothies for weight loss can add some sweetness and motivation to your days.
source: fitwirr.com