BEST Healthy Smoothie Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to put in a smoothie? ›

There are endless ingredients that you can include in a smoothie, but the healthiest way to make one is to include a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. According to registered dietitian Kate Regan, this three-part formula is the key to creating a healthy smoothie.

Leafy greens, nut butters, and avocado are some of the ingredients frequently found in green smoothies. These ingredients are high in fiber, healthy fat, or protein while also being low in carbohydrates. This means that not only can they help reduce your appetite, but they can also help to boost your metabolism.

Strawberries are a heart-healthy treat. They can help to increase your HDL (good) cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and guard against cancer. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and high levels of antioxidants, strawberries are sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low calorie.

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

Additionally, yogurt provides more protein than milk and can contribute to a smoothie's healthy, filling qualities. On the other hand, a smoothie with milk will be lighter and more fluid, but may lack some of the richness and tang of yogurt.

Smoothies can absolutely have a place in a healthy diet for weight loss. Stick to these tips for integrating them into your routine: Pour a finished smoothie into a measuring cup to keep tabs on portion control. Don't replace more than one meal per day with a smoothie.

The energy boost from the natural sugars and minerals was almost immediate and the weight loss started that weekend. No joke. Fiber keeps you full: Blend a variety of fruits (banana, strawberries, oranges) and leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard) together to create a high fiber drink that'll keep you full and satisfied.

The best green vegetables to add to smoothies in terms of flavor profile and nutritional value include spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, zucchini, cucumber, and avocado (which is technically a fruit but is more commonly used as a vegetable).

Blueberries. In general, berries are healthy and nutritious. They are packed with antioxidants, are high in fiber, and can satisfy a sweet tooth with very few calories. Not only are blueberries considered a superfood, a study by the University of Michigan suggests they may also reduce abdominal fat.

What not to put in a smoothie for weight loss? ›

A catechin found in green tea helps increase metabolism and thus increases fat burning. Green tea is often found powdered, and thus can be simply added to a smoothie. Remember when we were asking, “What is fat burner in smoothies?” Oftentimes it's powdered green tea or green tea extract.

Add natural sweeteners: If you want to avoid added sugar, there are plenty of natural sweeteners you can add to your smoothie instead, such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Start with a little bit and add more to taste until you find the perfect balance of sweetness for you.

Once you find the right balance and taste, that smoothie can be a good thing. "It's really fine to have a smoothie every day. It can be a convenient meal replacement as long as you're making sure that it really is replacing the meal. Not too few calories, but not too many calories," says Fye.

In conclusion, smoothies can be a great way to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables in our diet, which would have many health benefits. However, they may contain large amounts of added or natural sugars, which can contribute to dental problems and obesity.