Benefits Of A Whole Food Diet
In a 2014 analysis by Yale University, they concluded that a diet of minimally processed foods close to nature, predominantly plants, is decisively associated with health promotion and disease prevention.
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables or other high-fiber foods like whole grains and nuts is really important in maintaining good long-term health and preventing health problems like diabetes and cancers. These kinds of foods also help our bodies to cope and control the effects of inflammation.
In fact, one review from 2019 stated that diets high in plant foods could potentially prevent several million premature deaths each year if adopted globally. This is a big endorsement for a whole food diet.
Will A Smoothie Help Me Lose Weight
There are TONS of smoothies and shakes out there claiming to do this, but forget the labels and ads and think about what’s gonna work for YOU.
When it comes to a weight loss smoothie, its gotta hit 3 things for me to call it a winner:
The recipe I’m sharing here helped me lose 7 pounds when I was a young exhausted mom of 2 under 4with no energy and a few post baby extra pounds I needed to lose. They say “you’ve gotta exercise to lose the weight”, but when youre too tired to do that youve gotta try something else. And this is the secret sauce to jump start my energy levels and my weight loss journey.
What Can I Put In My Smoothie To Lose Weight
The best things to put in healthy weight loss smoothies are ingredients that provide high quality calories. This means healthy fats, proteins, complex carbs, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Here are some specific weight loss smoothie ingredients that are good for you:Almond butter*: energy booster with good fats and proteins
Avocado: healthy source of fats, fiber, and vitamins that helps counter belly fat
Berries: a high-fiber, high-antioxidant, low-glycemic fruit that helps you burn fat
Celery: a negative calorie food, meaning it takes more energy for your body to digest than which it provides
Coconut oil*: healthy fat that is easy to digest and provides a quick source of energy
Ginger: boosts metabolism
Grapefruit: high-water content fruit that stimulate the hormone that helps the body break down fat
Green tea*: metabolism booster that gives you energy that can help you stay active and burn even more calories.
Leafy green vegetables: low-calorie foods abundant in vitamins, minerals, and fiber
Lemon: aids in digestion and weight loss
Nuts and seeds: contain healthy fats that help you feel satiated or suppress hunger, and can also be a good source of fiber.
Rolled oats* and other whole grains: A fiber-rich food that keep you full longer
Tofu: helps reduce fat storage in the body with substantial protein
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How Can Pineapple Help You Lose Weight
Pineapple has many factors that can help aid in weight loss:
- It is relatively low in calories and contains a lot of water
- It is a good source of fibre and can help you feel more full and satisfied
- It contains natural digestive enzymes which support digestion .
- It has a lovely naturally sweet taste while still being lower in calories and high in fibre, so it is a great alternative to foods that contain refined sugar
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.
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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.
Minimal Chemicals In Processing
Some MCT oils will use harsh chemicals during the extraction process. I don’t need a side of chemical residue in my smoothie! So definitely research how your oil is derivedyou don’t want any harsh chemicals, filler oils, or additives involved. Less expensive often= more cheaply made, so quality reigns when buying.
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How To Make A Detox Smoothie
Detox smoothie recipes are really easy to make:
Step 1 add all ingredients to blenderStep 2 blend until smoothStep 3 enjoy
If you want to make the weight loss smoothie cold, you have two options:
1. Freeze the fruit, or buy frozen fruit.2. Add 1/2 a cup of ice.
I recommend you use fresh ingredients, but you can also use frozen fruits and vegetables if fresh isnt available. Just be sure to get organic both in frozen and fresh produce, if youre cleansing your body you dont want to be adding in pesticides while you do it!
Making detox smoothies to shed belly weight are very simple. Its just a matter of blending all the healthy smoothie recipe ingredients together, and serving.
For 10 green detox smoothie recipes, keep scrolling!
Detox And Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes
A basic detox smoothie recipe contains some type of leafy green vegetable like kale, spinach, or chard, along with some type of fruit like bananas, berries, apples, or pineapple. Water, ice, unsweetened almond milk, or coconut water is often added to the smoothie to thin it out and make it easier to blend.
Other common detox and weight loss smoothie ingredients include: Yogurt, celery, lemons, limes, ginger, mango, cranberries, cilantro, fennel, watermelon, almonds , dandelion greens, green tea, watercress, arugula, wheatgrass, avocado, spirulina, and beets.
Here are more detox smoothie recipes to try out. I encourage you to try different ingredients and find the ones you especially like, because the goal is to drink these detox smoothies as often as you can on a smoothie diet.
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Do Drinking Smoothies Really Burn Fat
Drinking smoothies is a great way to replace meals, lose weight, and burn fat. However, it is vital to be careful about what ingredients you add to a smoothie. Some smoothies can quickly become a blend of sugar and flavorings with little nutritional value if you use the wrong foods. Many smoothies use fruits with plenty of flavors and natural sugar or rely on a blend of vegetables and dairy or non-dairy milk.
Try to avoid adding sugar to smoothies, as it can lead to consuming an excess of calories and still leave you feeling hungry later. Create smoothies using healthy foods that are a significant source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and nutrients to keep your body fueled and energize your metabolism. If you feel compelled to add sugar, opt for stevia, honey, or sweeteners low in calories and not heavily processed.
A creamy smoothie filled with ingredients that target fat, encourage weight loss, or curb your appetite and cravings for sugar is helpful. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a fruit-based smoothie, or feed your gut microbiome with a Greek-yogurt-based smoothie blended with fiber-rich veggies. There are so many types of smoothies to try and enjoy youll never be bored or stumped for satisfying, nourishing ingredients.
- Green Apples
- Melons
- Spinach
How To Turn A Smoothie Into A Meal
The key to replacing meals with smoothies is including healthy fats AND proteins. Healthy fats and proteins are the way to go if you want to power up with a green smoothie meal replacement. This combo will keep you feeling full and give you the energy you need to cruise right through ’til your next snack or meal. Below are our favorite options for smoothie meal replacement boosters:
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How To Make These Smoothies For Weight Loss
A high powered blender is best for green smoothies without any discernible pieces of greens. Start with a bit of coconut water in the bottom of the blender to help spin the blades. Then top with the remaining ingredients and I like lots of ice. Blend until smooth, adding more coconut water if needed to thin, and ice to thicken.
Top with a little hemp seeds if youd like for texture. Enjoy right away or freezer for later. If youd like to see all of our smoothie recipes in one place click here.
Lemon Kale Protein Detox
Putting lemon in your blender is like taking out a nutrition insurance policy for your smoothie. That’s because a significant percentage of the antioxidant polyphenols in any food or drink break down before they reach your bloodstream. But researchers at Purdue University discovered that adding lemon juice to the equation helped preserve the polyphenols.
- ½ lemon, peeled and seeded
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop plain plant-based protein powder
- 3 ice cubes
- Water to blend
NUTRITION: 254 calories / 7 g fat / 20 g carbs / 5 g fiber / 10 g sugar / 30 g protein
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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.
What Is A Detox Smoothie
Detox smoothies are an easy and delicious way to flush your body of toxins and help lose weight fast. They usually contain fresh vegetables and fruit, and can be made with an ordinary kitchen blender or Vitamix machine.
The typical weight loss smoothie recipe is full of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other healthful nutrients giving your body a detoxifying flush. They also contain large amounts of water, which helps to hydrate your body and boost metabolism.
The idea here is to inundate your system with pure nutrition, to eat as we did as hunters and gathers well, with blender at least. So nuts, veggies and fruits are all key.
Eating this way will not only reset your system, but your taste buds too! After 3 days on a smoothie diet, you will start to crave healthier food. And if you eat processed or fried food you will feel it, youll feel sluggish and bloated. Listen to your body, it will tell you what it wants to eat by how it feels 30-60 minutes after you eat.
If you despise the taste of anything green try starting with baby spinach in all your weight loss smoothies, it has virtually no flavor and will naturally boost your metabolism. You wont even know its in your smoothie, all you will taste is the fruit. As you become accustom to the spinach try swapping half of it for kale or chard, adding more of the new greens and less of the spinach until your taste buds start to enjoy your new food.
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How To Make Pre Workout Smoothies For Weight Loss
You can toss a bunch of stuff in the blender and call it a day, but there are a few things to keep in mind for best fitness performance and recovery while making the ultimate pre-workout smoothies:
- It should be high in protein. Yogurt, almonds, nut butter, silken tofu, and milk or soy milk are all good sources of protein for smoothies. This will aid in the development of muscle, which is beneficial whether you aim to be a bodybuilder or simply want to tone up.
- Fruit, oats, and yogurt are all good energy boosters. When it comes to exercise, remember that energetic carbs for weight loss are your best friend.
- Dont go overboard. Yes, youre working out, but dont erase all your efforts by downing a sugar-laden calorie bomb. So, instead of adding sugary delicacies like ice cream or chocolate syrup, eat a healthy serving.
Keeping these things in mind, weve compiled a list of delicious smoothie recipes that you can have before a workout. Have a look at them.
You Also Get To Benefit By Consuming The Fiber Which Is Also Important For A Healthy Gut
Milk, ice cream and yogurt are ingredients that people like to add to their smoothies.
However, these are ingredients that could leave you adding even more weight.
They contain increased amounts of calories which does very little to support your weight loss goals.
If you want to add dairy ingredients to your smoothies, stick to raw milk, and plain or Greek yogurt.
These two have lower calories and supply you with important proteins.
Not to mention that most protein powders and supplements are bad, most of them really are.
Many of these powders and supplements have ingredients that may prove detrimental in your weight loss journey.
There are also, many superb sources of natural protein that are safe for someone whos trying to lose weight.
Such sources include:
gelatin, seeds, butter, and nuts.
Smoothie diets are rapidly increasing in popularity among weight watchers.
Lastly, taking smoothies alone and eliminating other normal foods can be dangerous to your health.
You will lose all the weight you are looking to lose but you will leave your body vulnerable to diseases and infections.
Smoothies alone cannot supply your body with the required nutrients to stay healthy.
On the other hand, taking a healthy smoothie for breakfast, eating a healthy lunch and dinner is the right way to go.
Finally, you have different sources of nutrients, healthy fats among other important components that are sure to keep you healthy and more importantly your weight in check.
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Crisp Mango Cucumber Green Smoothie
This is really tasty fruit smoothie thats got a light creamy texture and great flavor. It contains lots of antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients.
This green smoothie weight loss recipe will help boost metabolism and reduce bloat!
Mangoes contain soluble fiber and a wide range of antioxidants, as well as high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C .
Recipes For Weight Loss Smoothies You Need To Try
Packed with essential nutrients and vitamins to keep your skin, bones, and heart healthy, smoothies can be an excellent addition to any weight loss regime. With a combination of exercise and healthy eating choices, these quick and easy to make weight loss smoothies can help support healthy and sustainable weight loss.
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Why This Coffee Smoothie Is A Healthy Breakfast For Your Day
Here are a few reasons why this coffee banana smoothie sits high on the scale of healthy breakfast smoothies:
- Its vegan
- It has 0 processed sugars
- It has coffee
- Its super easy and simple
But, thats just from a high level lets dive deeper into WHY the main ingredients are each so good for you, specifically, the coffee, almond milk, banana, and peanut butter.
Why Add Bananas To Smoothies
And the all-powerful banana. Ever wondered why bananas work so great in smoothies? Thats because they are:
- naturally fat-free
- A great source of carbs
- A great source of natural sugar
- high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A
- the perfect texture when blended, especially if frozen
Hate Bananas? Try replacing the banana in this recipe with 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup full fat greek yogurt, or whatever frozen fruit you prefer.
Ok, so are we good? You on the same page with me and all the health benefits of this coffee smoothie?
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Can You Drink Smoothies On An Empty Stomach
Yes, you can. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Before an exercise, you should definitely drink a smoothie thats easy to digest. Thus, dont add too many ingredients.
Its best to keep your pre-workout smoothie basic. Only a couple of items are needed. In addition, a pre-workout smoothie should be fruit-based.
What are the advantages of fruit smoothies?
Sugar is abundant in fruits. Drinking a high-sugar smoothie before an exercise is beneficial for athletic performance.
Fruits are the best source of sugar. Fruits have a lot more than sugar in them. Plus, there are also antioxidants and vitamins in there.
Fruits not only provide our muscles energy but they also help the human body function properly. Thats why, before a workout, fruit smoothies can truly help you perform better.
Apart from pre-workout smoothies for weight loss, there are other pre-workout meals as well which you can try. Lets have a look at them.