Everyone loves smoothies and why wouldn’t you? They have a lovely texture and a divine taste. These delicious beverages are usually made of fruits and vegetables, which is why they are beneficial for your health. Smoothie delivers an abundance of fruits and vegetables that your body needs to function properly. In fact, you can even lose weight by making your smoothies.

Why make your own?

Store-bought smoothies are sugar-laden while homemade smoothies are more nutritious. If you want to slim down with the help of smoothies, scroll down to get the recipe.

Ingredients for successful weight loss smoothie

What’s amazing about smoothies is that you have the opportunity to experiment and combine a wide array of ingredients until you find the perfect formula. Although you can add just about anything to your smoothie, some ingredients promote weight loss more than others. Below, you can see the basic rundown of slimming ingredients you should consider adding to your smoothie.

1. Avocado

Avocado is an ideal weight loss smoothie thickener i.e. an ingredient that provides the signature creaminess to your smoothie. This amazing fruit also provides healthy fats and suppresses your appetite, thus making you eat less and control your cravings. One study investigated how eating a meal that included avocado affected appetite of overweight or obese people. Participants who ate half of avocado with their lunch had a reduced desire to eat for up to 5 hours afterward.

2. Berries

Berries add amazing flavor and an abundance of antioxidants, but without too much sugar. Plus, they are high in fiber which is necessary for healthy digestion and effective weight loss. According to a recent study by Harvard Medical School, consumption of flavonoids like those found in berries prevents weight gain and help you slim down. Apples are yet another example of fruits you can add to your smoothie.

3. Chia seeds

Chia seeds are high in fiber content and protein, both of which are necessary for quick weight loss. Plus, these tiny seeds also contain antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. One major advantage of including chia seeds into your smoothie is the fact they absorb toxins from your digestive tract.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is widely used in desserts and sweets due to its distinctive scent and the fact it enhances flavor. This popular spice regulates blood sugar levels by improving the metabolism of glucose. As a result, it reduces the amount of excess blood glucose that can be stored as fat.

5. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a healthy fat well-known for weight loss benefits. How does it promote weight loss? Coconut oil speeds up metabolism and helps you burn fat at a faster rate. Also, it reduces your appetite and makes you eat less without even trying or starving yourself. A study from the ISRN Pharmacology found that obese men experienced a reduction in waist circumference by 2.86cm or 1.1 inches by including coconut oil into their menu.

6. Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is high in protein and provides your body with probiotics that improve gut health. Using Greek yogurt is a great way to make sure your smoothie has a creamy texture. Ideally, you should opt for plain, unsweetened type.

7. Tea, water, or ice

Smoothies usually contain milk that allows you to reach desired consistency. Since our goal here is to make a weight loss smoothie, you should avoid adding extra calories. Instead, opt for green tea, water, or ice.

TIP: you can also add dark leafy green vegetables or fruit pulp for higher fiber content.

Ingredients to avoid when making weight loss smoothie

While some ingredients in a smoothie support your weight loss efforts and allow you to lose weight at a faster rate, others can hinder your progress. Here is the list of ingredients you should avoid using if you’re making a smoothie to slim down:

• Canned fruits or vegetables – fresh produce is always a better choice, but if you can’t find them, you should opt for frozen rather than canned alternatives. Why? Canned fruits and vegetables contain preservatives or sweeteners, which increase calorie count
• Dairy – even though ice cream, milk, or frozen yogurt are popular smoothie ingredients, they aren’t the best choice if your goal is to make and drink a weight loss smoothie
• Fruit juice – juices are high in sugar, and they’re not convenient for people who want to drop a few pounds
• Sweeteners – ideally, you shouldn’t use any sweetener for your smoothie primarily because fruits you use are sweet enough. However, if you do feel the need to add more sweetness, you should go for Stevia rather than sugar

Weight loss smoothie

Now that you know what to add or avoid, you are ready to make your weight loss smoothie. As mentioned above, it is all about experimenting and finding a perfect formula. Below, you can see an example of a powerful weight loss beverage; it is delicious, healthy, and slim at the same time.

You’ll need:

• Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened) – 1 cup
• Berries (fresh or frozen) – 1 cup
• Vanilla extract – 1 tbsp
• Chia seeds (ground) – 1 tbsp
• Ice – ½ cup

When it comes to berries the choice is yours; you can use blueberries, strawberries, acai berries, or others. Their nutritious content works like top diet pills by suppressing your appetite and making you eat less.

Blend all ingredients together, and your smoothie is ready.

Conclusion

Smoothie is a delicious, healthy, and slimming beverage but to achieve these effects you have to be mindful about ingredients you add. Avoid including sugars and fruit juices, rely on fresh (or frozen) produce and opt for fruits, vegetables, or seeds with high fiber content. Combine these tasty smoothies with supplements, a well-balanced diet, and regular exercise. You’ll notice impressive progress.

References

Nutritionj.Biomedcentral.com

Telegraph.co.uk

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