Healthy Recipes

15 Best Smoothie Recipes That Promote Fat Loss

With the simple push of a button, you are 30 short seconds away from making your body healthier and your life better. Nutritious smoothies will boost your metabolism, tone your muscles, and improve your overall health.

If you think that smoothies are more of a hassle than what they’re worth, think again. It doesn’t take much to prepare, and the only thing you’ll need, aside from the ingredients, is a blender. But before getting into the recipes, let’s talk about smoothies and how they will help you lose weight.

How are Smoothies Good for You?

If you have ever tried making a breakfast smoothie in your life, you’ve probably used fruit, milk, oats, and even a dieter’s worst enemy: sugar. At this point, you’re probably wondering how on earth will smoothies lessen your weight gain. This is especially true when many things can add-on to the calories you are consuming.

The trouble with sticking to these essential ingredients is the nutritional breakdown. You’re not getting the desired amount of macronutrients you need to boost your metabolism, and you’re running on a sugar high.

Buying store-bought smoothies are not as advisable either. By not knowing the exact ingredients, you’re probably consuming more extenders than the actual nutrients, which is why you need to make them in the comfort of your own home.

You just need to be smart, choose the right ingredients, and eliminate the non-essential ones that don’t contribute to the nutritional value of your smoothie.

How to Make a Better Smoothie

Let’s face it; adding ice cream, artificial flavoring, chocolate, strawberry, or caramel syrups and even pudding mix is what makes a smoothie unhealthy. Even having all-natural ingredients without adding refined sugar, you can still end up with more glucose than expected, which is why you need to know how to choose your fruits and veggies wisely. Here’s how:

Choose Fruits with Lower Sugar Content and Better Nutrients

There are many different fruits to choose from. Most of the time, we choose those packed with sugar instead of those that add nutritional value to the smoothie. Most berries, like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, have low sugar content and are packed with antioxidants.

Other great choices are grapefruit, papaya, and cantaloupe. They add more fiber to your diet and a great flavor to your drink. Bananas are quite popular, and they are often used to thicken your smoothie, but they can quickly add ten grams of sugar. To avoid this, opt to use frozen fruits, pears, or even just plain ice cubes.

Don’t Buy Store-Bought Juice or Other Packed Ingredients

To add more flavor, people would often add juice, cream, or other ingredients you can easily buy at your local grocery. Instead of opting for any commercialized and processed juice additives, make your juice, or choose other liquids like water or even coconut water.

You can also try unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, flax milk, or hemp milk. Regular milk works fine too, but be mindful about the calories you are adding to your smoothie. It’s all about making the right choice.

Add Protein and Fat

Pea and whey protein are easy to digest and filled with essential amino acids. This adds thickness and can easily blend in with your mix. Greek yogurt is also a good source of protein and adds a bit of sweetness to your smoothie.

Not too many people know this, but avocados are a great source of good or unsaturated fat that helps lower bad cholesterol in your system. The key is moderation; one to two avocados per serving should do fine. Other additions that would be great are nuts and chia seeds. They help thicken your smoothie and add protein, good fat, and fiber.

Greens are Great

Green juices and smoothies have been quite trendy for the past few years. With just a few handfuls of your leafy greens, you are holding an excellent and nutritious drink. If you’re worried about the taste, pick the right greens, like spinach, kale, and swiss chard. With a bunch of fruits, the flavors of these greens are masked well. In addition to this, you are adding more antioxidants, fiber, and vital macronutrients.

If you are thinking of adding more greens, you can do so. Reduce the bitterness by squeezing in half a lemon or lime to the mix without even thinking of sugar.

Diet-Friendly Sweeteners

If low-sugar fruits don’t help improve the taste of your smoothie, don’t give in to refined sugar! Be wise and use diet-friendly sweeteners like honey, spices, or even vanilla extract. You can also opt to use artificial sweeteners like stevia. When adding these sweeteners, remember to keep your hands light, there isn’t any sense in dumping a whole cup of honey in your drink.

Fat-Loss Smoothie Recipes

We’ve collected recipes to 15 healthy smoothies that promote fat loss. Scavenge through your kitchen, and check out which ones you can try to make today!

Blue-Green Smoothie

The Blue-Green Smoothie is an excellent smoothie under 300 calories and supplied with antioxidants and macronutrients. Here’s what you will need for one serving:

  • 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries
  • 1/3 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup of spinach
  • 1 scoop of vanilla-flavored whey protein
  • 1/3 cup of ice

Be sure to pulse bend this smoothie after every two ingredients to fully incorporate. Add ice to top it off as well.

Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie

Isabel Smith, the founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition, has developed this fun and satisfying smoothie that has a ton of flavor and nutrition. This decadent smoothie contains unprocessed ingredients that will aid in your weight loss. The raspberries and spinach are good sources of vitamins. You’ll need more ingredients than usual, but it’s worth it:

  • 1/2 of a banana
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • 1/2 cup of raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon of almond or cashew butter
  • 2 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder
  • 1 cup of unsweetened almond, hemp, or coconut milk
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein

This smoothie is ideal as a post-workout drink; it’ll help you catch up with the energy you spent and give you that extra kick of vitamins.

Cocoa Avocado Smoothie

Are you craving a creamy chocolatey smoothie, but you’re not sure if it is a healthy option? Try this recipe filled with healthy fats and different sources of protein:

  • 2 small to medium-sized avocados
  • 1/2 cup of almonds
  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 4 to 5 cups of almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 scoops of chocolate flavored whey protein
  • 2 tablespoons of organic peanut butter

For this specific recipe, cut the frozen bananas into chunks before placing them into the blender. Combine all the ingredients until completely smooth.

Apple Pie Smoothie

There are tons of apple varieties, but the best we’ve found for weight-watchers are Pink Ladies. They blend well with a little cinnamon and vanilla. For a unique take on this autumn staple, here’s what you need:

  • 1/4 of a frozen banana
  • 1 Pink Lady apple
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil
  • 3 dashes of ground cinnamon
  • 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder

Keep the peels on your apple, but be sure to remove the seeds and slice them into quarters. Water is optional, so add enough based on your preference.

Peach Cobbler Smoothie

A light and fun comfort under 300 calories is what best describes this recipe. You can choose to use frozen peaches if fresh peaches are not in season yet. It’ll thicken out your smoothie to make it the hearty drink you’re looking for. Here’s how you can make it:

  • 1 frozen peach
  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 1 tablespoon of rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon of ground flaxseed
  • 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder

Be sure to remove the pit from your peach and add water as needed. Blend all the ingredients until completely smooth.

Pink Ginger Smoothie

Ginger has a very distinct and robust taste, and there are lots of people who don’t really appreciate this root crop for what it is. But before you skip to the next smoothie recipe we have, let us tell you why this smoothie is just what you need. Ginger had a lot of immunity-boosting phytochemicals that guarantee a healthier body. The root is used for various herbal medications in eastern medicine. It is very delicious and healthy; you just have to try this recipe.

  • 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup of frozen banana
  • 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger
  • A dash of ground pepper
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein powder

Take emphasis on the word fresh. Don’t use that old bottle of powdered ginger you had stored in your pantry for the longest time. Buy fresh ginger, peel it, and grate in a spoonful to your smoothie mix. You can also save these long term by cutting them into chunks and keeping them in your freezer.

Wake-Up Call Smoothie

The owner and founder of the elite private fitness and nutrition studio IronPlate Studios, Kristin Reisinger, developed this particular smoothie. She explains how combining a low-calorie, non-dairy based smoothie paired with high-end protein and good carbohydrates is the best way to start your morning. This refreshing smoothie mix will pull you out of your overnight fasting and give you that morning boost you need. Here’s how to make it:

  • 1/4 cup of assorted frozen berries
  • Roughly a handful of spinach
  • 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein

Add water to your preference, and you’re all set. This morning smoothie is approximately 230 calories and has a good ratio of carbs and protein.

The Elvis Parsley Smoothie

When was the last time you’ve eaten parsley? You probably can’t remember because you haven’t. People often use parsley as a garnish rather than a food item. What you didn’t know is that parsley has more macronutrients than kale, lettuce, and dandelion greens. There are a few studies that support this claim. Blend it in with watercress or chia seeds, and you’ve got the ultimate fat-fighting smoothie at the tips of your fingers. All you need is:

  • 1/4 cup of parsley
  • 1/2 cup of watercress
  • 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 1 teaspoon of chia seeds
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein powder

For this recipe, you can go ahead and keep the stems of your parsley when blending everything in. You may also add water to dilute the mixture as you please.

Lemon Kale Detox Smoothie

The twin powerhouse behind the book Fire Up Your Metabolism, Tammy and Lyssie Lakatos, are the geniuses behind this smoothie. In addition to having published literature on the topic of diet and nutrition, they are nationally registered dieticians and personal trainers. One thing is for sure – they know what they’re talking about. This recipe has a low protein count and doesn’t really replace your meal, but it pairs well with an egg white omelet. Here’s how to make it:

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 tablespoon of parsley or cilantro
  • 3/4 cup of loosely packed spinach
  • 1 teaspoon of ginger
  • 3/4 cup of kale (curly variety)
  • 1/2 cup of carrots
  • 1 teaspoon of lime juice
  • 1 cup of water
  • 4 to 5 ice cubes

Remember to use fresh ingredients for this recipe. Keep all the stems of your leafy greens, and choose the ripest banana you have. This recipe serves at least three tall glasses, so at 58 calories per serving, you may as well take some to work too!

Romaine Around Smoothie

Puns aside, studies show that romaine lettuce is one of the ten most nutritious leafy greens around. This particular lettuce has a higher amount of fiber compared to your regular iceberg. It is also mostly water, making this smoothie quite a thirst-quencher. We love it in our salad, so why not make it a smoothie? You’ll need:

  • 1 cup of romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup of spinach
  • 1/2 of an apple
  • 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein

Be sure to wash your leafy greens before blending them in. You can keep the peels of your apples; just remember to remove the seeds and cut them into quarters. You may add water to your preference.

Hemp Kitty Smoothie

Hemp and chia seeds give you that extra dose of omega-3 you need. It’s great for the heart, and this drink will provide you with more protein than beef or fish. This smoothie was initially called the Hemp Cat and used regular kale, but we’ve modified the recipe a bit. Here’s what you need to prepare:

  • 3/4 cup of baby kale
  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 1 teaspoon of hemp seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon of chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop of vanilla flavored whey protein

This drink is approximately 270 calories and carries 29 grams of protein. It’s great as a pre-workout smoothie and will do wonders for you and your body.

Happy Green Tea Smoothie

Green tea has been known for its medicinal value and is often used in Eastern medicine. There have been several studies on how it is useful as a weight-loss tool.

According to a study in Taiwan, people who consume green tea regularly have nearly 20 percent less body fat than those who don’t. This study took ten years to complete, and it proves the claim of this miracle drink. It is said that the flavonoids present in green tea can potentially deactivate genetic triggers that cause diabetes and obesity. Convinced? Try it for yourself:

  • 1 cup of green tea
  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
  • 1/3 of an avocado
  • 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein

This drink packs up 245 calories per serving. If desired, you may add more water to the mix to dilute if it comes out too strong for your taste.

Abs of Steel Smoothie

Almond butter is way underrated compared to its peanut counterpart. Now, this drink may be a bit heavy, but it’s quite satisfying, especially if you’re a big fan of almonds. It’s quite easy to make; you just need a few items:

  • 3/4 of a frozen banana
  • 2 teaspoons of almond butter
  • 3/4 cup of almond milk
  • 1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate flavored whey protein

This smoothie goes over the 300 calorie limit at 340 calories but is definitely worth the extra 40 calories. Just be sure you’ve got an active day ahead if you’re planning on making this for breakfast.

Tabasco Cherry Smoothie

If you’re in for an unconventional flavor, this could be up to par with your taste. We’ve heard of Tabasco ice cream and chili-flavored chocolates – but how would drinking it for breakfast sound?

The Tabasco chili brand has absolutely no fat, and dieters often use this condiment to add flavor to their otherwise bland meals. There have also been a few claims correlating weight loss and the consumption of chili, but more research still needs to be done. But check out the ingredients, and try making one for yourself today:

  • 1/2 cup of cherries
  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 of a lime
  • 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein

Be sure to remove the seeds and stems of your cherries before popping them in the blender. You can also add water or ice to your preference.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Unlike the seasonal Pumpkin Latte you’d order at the first leaf-drop in autumn, this smoothie contains a pumpkin. Per each one-third of a cup of pumpkin, you’re getting all sorts of goodies like fiber, protein, omega-3, and even vitamin C!

Research conducted at Arizona State University shows the correlation of vitamin C with weight loss. The study showed that people who had a deficiency of vitamin C had an increased amount of body fat and a larger waistline.

Vitamin C is supposedly directly involved with the body’s ability to burn fat. If you’re looking for a fat-buster, here’s the smoothie to top your list. All you need is:

  • 1/2 of a frozen banana
  • 1/3 cup of pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon of flax seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
  • 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/3 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 scoop of plain whey protein

When preparing this smoothie, it’s best to puree the pumpkin before mixing it with everything else. This brings out the very essence and flavor of the pumpkin, which is what you want to taste when you make this smoothie. It rounds up to 290 calories for serving and is an excellent source of protein.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be a tedious process; you can easily prepare the ingredients ahead of time and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready the next day. With a good blender, you’ll have fun making these healthy smoothies every morning.

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