For several years now, smoothies have been the talk of the town when it comes to healthy alternatives for active and busy people looking to better their lifestyles. But as we have previously covered in some of our articles, a smoothie is not necessarily the best option when it comes to weight loss or diets that require you to eat less to no sugar, because of all the fruits that go into it.
Although the golden rule of “juicing your vegetable and eating your fruits” is still one you should live by, especially if you are planning on losing weight, today the Teatox team is going to teach you a little something about how to prepare the best weight loss smoothie.
When preparing your weight loss smoothies, keep in mind that fruits, although healthy, contain sugar
It might not be a good idea to incorporate in your diet smoothies that are prepared from just fruits, because you will end up drinking a large amount of sugar, which might put a bump in your diet, without even realizing it. Calories add up, and fast, which is why it is best to find a balance that works for you when it comes to natural fruit juice and fruit smoothies. Try using just one fruit for a smoothie of less than 200 calories. Anything more than that would be like consuming an entire meal in a glass.
Don’t forget to add fibers, they are an essential element for a healthy and fulfilling smoothie
Fibers are essential because they make you feel full for a longer period of time, thus you will no longer be inclined to eat between meals. When your smoothie doesn’t contain enough fibers, it is quite possible to start consuming more fruits or to have it next to a snack. To make sure your smoothie contains the recommended 4 to 8 grams of fibers, use fruits such as apples, pears, or strawberries, without peeling them. You can put as much vegetables as you want in the blender, especially spinach or kale.
Always choose fresh or frozen fruits in order to avoid the added sugar found in canned fruits
As delicious as they might be, canned fruits are preserved in water with added sugar, which is why they should never constitute a choice for your healthy weight loss smoothies. Go for fresh or frozen instead, wild berries are perfect in all types of smoothies, and provide a lot of nutrients and vitamins.
Be careful, natural sweeteners also contains calories
Maple syrup, Manuka honey, or Agave; all excellent, healthy, and delicious natural sweeteners for your coffee, teas, or smoothies. The problem is that by using them you can transform your smoothie into a caloric bomb in no time, especially if you are not paying attention to the quantities you are using. Fortunately, fresh or frozen fruits are quite sweet, you will not need to add extra sugar. If you feel like your smoothie could use a little extra sweetening, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract, or a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Use unsweetened vegetal milk for your weight loss smoothies
An excellent trick for adding taste to your diet smoothies is to use vegetal milk such as rice, soy or almond milk, but make sure to choose one without added sugar. Always check the list of ingredients when buying these vegetal drinks, as some of them contain a lot of extra sugar. And did you know that unsweetened almond milk will intensify the sweetness of fruits?
Saying yes to proteins will keep you full for longer
As is the case with fibers, proteins are needed in a smoothie in order to enjoy a drink that is not only healthy and packed with natural nutrients, but that will also prevent you from eating between meals. Keep in mind that drinking your calories instead of chewing them send the body mixed signals, which might lead to you feeling hungry sooner than expected. And this is why fibers and proteins are so important. Make sure your weight loss smoothie always contains about 10 grams of protein. You can use Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein in half a cup) or 2 tablespoons of walnut butter (approximately 7 grams of protein).
One last important thing to remember: smoothies are best prepared at home, so you can have total control over the ingredients. Although lot of store-bought smoothies use safe and healthy ingredients, there is still the problem of portion control, which is why the best and safest method for you to enjoy all the benefits of a delicious and healthy smoothie is to make it yourself. And remember, no smoothie should ever have more than 200-250 calories. If you do buy smoothies from a store, make sure to always read the label, and see how much sugar they contain.
What is your to-go smoothie for diets and healthy living? Share your thoughts and ideas with us via Facebook or Instagram, and don’t forget to add Teatox to your healthy diet.