Are Fruit Smoothies Good For You

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What Ingredients Are In The Best Weight Loss Smoothies

Are Fruit Smoothies Good or Bad For You? | Healthy Living | Fit or Fiction

Healthy smoothies for weight loss are made with the right blend of weight loss foods that are scientifically proven to decrease body fat. Some of the common ingredients we include in these smoothies for weight loss are:

  • Protein powder for weight loss: these powders are low in sugar or other sweeteners, low in calories, and rich in high-quality protein that, in combination with strength exercises, will help build metabolism-boosting muscle mass
  • Healthy fats: healthy fats like nut butters, avocado, and MCT oil will help to slow digestion to keep you fuller longer to prevent overeating
  • Fiber: consuming fiber-rich ingredients like chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, leafy greens, and oats can help prevent spikes in blood sugar that can lead to the storage of carbs as fat
  • Low sugar: fruit is the base of all smoothies, and because fruit naturally contains sugar, there’s no need to add extra sweeteners like honey, orange juice, or frozen yogurt that only serve to add empty calories

Honeydew Melon And Kiwifruit Smoothie

Sweet, light honeydew melons and kiwifruits are both high in vitamin C. The yogurt and milk add calcium and protein to this delicious and refreshing smoothie.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup honeydew melon chunks
  • 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk
  • 1 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Should You Use Fresh Or Frozen Fruit

Studies suggest that certain nutrients, including vitamin C, are comparable and occasionally higher in fruit that have been frozen at harvest, compared to their fresh equivalent. Although, beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, may reduce on freezing. That said, it will depend on the fruit or vegetable in question.

Overall, whether you choose fresh or frozen produce for your smoothie, it doesnt really matter. Both count towards your five-a-day and, if by using frozen produce, youre increasing your daily intake, then that has to be a good thing. Frozen produce may also help keep weekly food bills down, allows you to enjoy out of season crops and are a useful stand-by when you cant get to the shops.

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Tips To Keep In Mind About Smoothies

The nutritional value and calorie count of smoothies depend on the choices you make for ingredients. For example, using whole milk instead of low-fat milk adds sugar and calories to the smoothie.

  • If drinking smoothies for weight loss, be sure to select low sugar, low carbohydrate, and low-fat ingredients
  • Measure ingredients carefully so you can calculate an accurate nutritional content
  • Balance the sugar in fruits with dark leafy green vegetables, like kale or spinach, which can deliver a healthy dose of fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and other nutrients usually, you would limit fruit to one cup
  • Remember that flavored yogurts have higher sugar content than plain, unflavored yogurt that only contains the natural milk sugar lactose
  • Healthy homemade smoothies are best made with nutritional options like one-percent milk, unsweetened soy milk or unsweetened almond milk can also use antioxidant-rich green tea or no-calorie water
  • Breakfast smoothies should be high-fiber and high-protein
  • Snack smoothies should be low sugar and low calorie

The American Heart Association recommends limiting sugar intake to six teaspoons per day for women and nine teaspoons for men. Plain Greek yogurt is a better choice as a protein source than many protein powders because it does not contain added sugar but has twice the protein of other yogurts.

Green Smoothies: Not Necessarily A Health Food

7 Reasons Why Fruit Smoothie Is Good For Your Health

In the health community, the green smoothie has become the poster child for healthy eating. If you are a green smoothie fan, your typical recipe probably looks something like this:

  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 8 ounces unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 cups stemmed and chopped spinach or kale
  • 1 cup broccoli

This green smoothie is full of veggiesspinach, kale, and broccoliso it must be healthy, right? Well, not necessarily. While cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens certainly have health benefits, consuming large amounts of them in green smoothies may not be healthy in the long run, for several significant reasons.

  • Cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, have been found to contain high levels of a toxic heavy metal, thallium.
  • Cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens, which are naturally occurring plant chemicals that inhibit the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland and reduce the production of thyroid hormone, thus lowering thyroid function.
  • Many leafy greens, such as spinach and collard greens, are high in oxalates. Oxalates are plant-based compounds that may promote kidney stone formation and inflammation when consumed in large amounts.
  • As you can see, it may be time to reconsider whether regularly drinking green smoothies is a wise choice for our health.

    Cruciferous veggies and leafy greens undoubtedly have many health benefits, but consuming large amounts of them in green smoothies may not be healthy in the long run

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    My Favorite Balanced Smoothie Recipe

    Heres one of my favorite recipes with just the right amount of everything you need to stay healthy and happy.

    The Equilibrium Smoothie

    • Handful of spinach though you can mix it up with romaine, kale, swiss chard, or a combination of all three!
    • ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
    • One apple, diced
    • One ripe banana, halved

    Healthful hint: peeled, frozen bananas will keep everything cool, without the watered-down effect of melted ice cubes.

    • 1 ½ 2 cups of unsweetened milk alternative depending on desired consistency

      Milk alternatives include flax, cashew, almond, coconut and rice milk

    Blend all ingredients together and enjoy your delicious and nutritious choice.Cheers to your health!

    Wed love to hear your favorite smoothie recipe connect with us on or and leave a comment!

    Side Effects Of Drinking A Smoothie Every Day

    Drinking a smoothie every day seems like a good idea. When you can pack so many fruits and vegetables into one easy-to-drink beverage, it feels like you have reached the pinnacle of health. While you may rightly assume you can score a few health benefits, a daily smoothie can also hide some severely damaging risks. Even if you try to stick to the strictest of terms and opt for smoothies made exclusively out of vegetables, don’t assume you’re safe.

    Figuring out what actually happens if you drink a smoothie every day feels daunting, especially if you don’t want to step into the nutritional unknown and try it out on yourself. Luckily, we assembled the shortlist of five primary side effects of a daily smoothie with the help of a handful of expert nutritionists. If you ever felt the urge to replace meals with smoothies, or just add one into your day, plan to encounter these consequences.

    Read on to learn about what side effects you can expect from a daily smoothie, and for more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

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    Are Smoothies Good For You

    Smoothies are an increasingly popular wellness trend and frequently marketed as a health food.

    These versatile beverages are portable, family-friendly, and modifiable for any taste or dietary preference. Smoothies are easy to prepare yourself, but you can also purchase fresh or bottled ones from specialty cafés and most major grocery stores.

    While some types are loaded with veggies and fruit, others pack sugar or other unhealthy ingredients. As such, you may wonder whether theyre a healthy choice.

    This article explains everything you need to know about smoothies, including their potential health benefits and downsides, whether they aid weight loss, and tips for making nutritionally balanced versions at home.

    Are Green Smoothies Good For Weight Loss

    3 Healthy Fruit Smoothies – Real Simple

    Green smoothies arent a miracle solution but they may help people to lose weight as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle. Benefits can include feeler fuller which reduces overeating, decreased calorie intake, reduced food cravings, and less bloating. Learn more about green smoothie benefits.

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    So Are Smoothies Healthy

    When made with real food, smoothies are most certainly a healthy choice. Whether you are opting for a fruit smoothie, a green smoothie or a protein smoothie, when made with whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, nuts, seed or milk, smoothies can certainly be included in a healthy diet. The healthiness of a smoothie depends largely on its ingredients, its purpose and the context the individuals overall diet and health goals.

    Is A Fruit Smoothie In The Morning Healthy

    A smoothie is basically a drink with blended fruit, veggies, and possibly other additional ingredients. Its so easy and quick to make, it can be quite filling, and depending on what you put in it, it can be super healthy and good for you!

    Smoothies became very popular in the last few years, and most people consider drinking breakfast smoothies in the morning a routine now.

    So, as a nutritionist, I am writing a post to let you know if drinking a smoothie in the morning is good for you, and what happens to your body if you drink a smoothie every day.

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    Are Fruit Smoothies Good For You

    Yes, generally, fruit smoothies are good for your health however, they are not all that good either.

    To many individuals, fruit smoothie is an easy way to increase your daily consumption of fruits, as these drinks not only contain multiple servings of fruits but also vegetables. They are also a good source of fiber, because the whole edible part of the fruit is used to make a smoothie. Fruit smoothies are also a rich source of vitamin C, folate and potassium as fruits are rich in these nutrients. Fruit smoothies can also provide other essential nutrients. For instance, if you have used milk or yogurt in your smoothie, you can get calcium and protein from it.

    However, the problem is too much sugar of the smoothies that comes from sugary frozen yogurt, sweetened fruit juice, bananas, honey, etc. and too much fat that comes from frozen yogurt.

    Diving In: Are Smoothies Healthy

    Are Smoothies Good for You?

    So, are smoothies good for you? Yes and no.

    Smoothies offer an easy way to get valuable nutrients that we may otherwise lack. When they contain a balance of carbohydrate, protein, and beneficial fats from whole-food sources, smoothies can be tasty, convenient, and healthy, says Amy Gannon, a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian at Cleveland Clinic.

    That said, smoothies often contain a plethora of high-fat and high-sugar options that dont balance out the carbohydrates from the sweets, says Gannon. What you once deemed as a healthy smoothie may be helping you pack on the pounds and up your risk for diabetes.

    Not convinced? A 20-ounce smoothie concoction called The Hulk-Strawberry at Smoothie King provides a whopping 910 calories, 27 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat and 127g of sugar. In case youve forgotten, our recommended daily intake of sugar is 25g for women and 36g for men. This one drink contains almost five times that. And this is the small size!

    If you cant resist smoothies, use common sense: Drink it with a straw to protect your teeth.

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    Do Smoothies Help You Lose Weight

    Smoothies can help you with weight loss, if youre adding low-fat, low-calorie, low-sugar foods to your blender. Problem is, many of us opt for the largest size when ordering and we tend to say yes to unhealthy add-ons. Load your blender with fresh veggies and go easy on the sugary fruits and juices. As with all weight-loss plans, you need to combine your smoothies with a well-balanced, healthy diet and a regular exercise routine for best results.

    The Hidden Dangers In Your Green Smoothie

    By Hayley McKinnon

    Its safe to say that the mighty Green Smoothie has officially taken the wellness world by storm. From detoxifying our bodies to making us look and feel younger, its no wonder so many of us consider our daily smoothie essential to good health.

    Once upon a time, I was a hard-core smoothie enthusiast too. But after years of gulping my greens every morning, I began to develop fairly serious side effects: weakened digestion, low thyroid function, severe acne and major hormonal imbalance.

    The cause? The otherwise innocent ingredients in my prized puree that, when combined in a smoothie, were slowly poisoning me.

    So before you reach for the Vitamix, lets take another look at what youre putting in there every day. Heres what you need to know about the five biggest health threats hidden in your blended beverage, along with simple solutions to protect your health.

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    Potential Risks Of Green Smoothies

    Because there are many ways to make a green smoothie, its possible to add too many sugars, carbohydrates, or fats. The potent vitamin content in leafy greens may also be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions.

    Things to consider when whipping up your green smoothie include:

    Weight Gain

    Leafy greens are naturally low in calories and fat. However, common green smoothie additions like fruits, nut butters, sweeteners, or milks can add excessive amounts of these nutrients to a single serving. Too much fat or caloric intake can lead to unwanted weight gain, so measure your portions so you know whats in your drink.

    Continued

    Blood Sugar

    Excess sugar not only leads to weight gain, but may also increase your blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of diabetes. Fruits and nut butters contain numerous vitamins and minerals, but can also have a high natural sugar content, so moderate the amount added to your green smoothie.

    Medication Interference

    The high Vitamin K content in leafy greens can reduce the effects of certain anticoagulant drugs. While people taking blood-thinners do not need to avoid vitamin K, you should still talk to your doctor about how much you should consume.

    Are Homemade Smoothies Better Than Shop

    Are Fruit Smoothies Healthy? – Some Say No

    Theres one obvious benefit to making a smoothie from scratch rather than buying it from the storeyou know exactly whats gone into it. As well as allowing you to cater to any specific taste palette preferences, this also means you have complete control over how much sugar is included.

    I would always recommend a homemade smoothie over a shop-bought smoothie, says Kate. Certain shop-bought smoothies contain huge quantities of added sugar, which significantly decreases the nutrient density of the smoothie.

    Rosie agrees, adding, Fresh is best. Shop-bought smoothies tend to be higher in fruits, as well as added sugars and preservatives. They also lack the proteins and fats, which are essential to a good diet.

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    Making Your Healthy Smoothie

    What should you consider when making a fruit smoothie?

    One is how much fruit is used in making that smoothie. Taking a look at your nutritional goals can help you determine what you should be eating.

    At the very minimum, there should be a variety of ingredients that are used to give you the best nutritional value.

    • Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are among the things to always look for.
    • Youll want something that contains protein rather than carbs.
    • Add some fiber into your smoothie.
    • And cut the unhealthy fats. Instead add healthy unsaturated fats.
    • Finally, keep an eye out for sugar. This can come in liquid form, fruits or actual scoops of sugar. Make sure you limit added sugar or completely cut it out.

    Are Smoothies Good For Weight Loss

    Although smoothies are often marketed as a weight-loss tool, they are not always the best solution. Much like any real food, smoothies can support a goal of weight loss but do not always support a goal of weight loss. On a foundational level, in order for weight loss to occur there must be a deficit in total calorie intake over a period of time . When created with care, smoothies can be a simple way to reduce calorie intake at a meal, however, this can also be done by adjusting the total amount of calories consumed from real food at a meal. Whether you consume 300 calories from a smoothie or 300 calories from eggs and toast does not make a difference. It is the deficit created by the total number of calories that is most important when it comes to weight loss.

    For long-term success, my suggestion is always to focus on whole foods, learn to consume them in appropriate amounts for your personal goals and make choices that are sustainable. Yes, using smoothies as a meal replacement may help to reduce calorie intake, but if you dont learn to do this will real food meals, do you want to be stuck drinking smoothies for the rest of your life simply to maintain your weight?

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    Smoothie Calories And Sugar

    The calorie content of a fruit smoothie varies significantly, depending on its ingredients and the serving size you consume. Some recipes for homemade smoothies provide 200 to 400 calories per serving, while store-bought smoothies may contain as many as 1,000 calories per serving.

    One serving of a fruit smoothie recipe containing unsweetened coconut milk, blackberries, banana, unsweetened shredded coconut and protein powder contains 378 calories. On the other hand, a smoothie from Smoothie King called the “The Hulk Strawberry” contains ice cream, sugar, strawberries, bananas, a “weight gain blend” and “super grains enhancer,” with 800 calories in one serving, which is 20 ounces.

    The homemade smoothie contains whole foods and no added sugar. The calorie count is suitable for a small meal or a large snack, depending on your calorie needs for the day. The store-bought smoothie contains cream and added sugar, both of which drive up the calorie count. As such, it’s more of a decadent dessert than a smoothie.

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