[Tips] 5 Amazing Healthy Smoothie Tips To Help Lose Weight

The great thing about smoothies is that, when they’re prepared properly, they can help provide key nutrients we typically fall short of in our daily diet.  Fiber and protein, for example, are essential for digestion and cell regeneration. But both also help you feel full up so you avoid the urge to snack or overeat at your next meal time.

Smoothies have become very popular, but there is a problem… Many smoothies to buy already made are not always the healthiest choices.

That’s why its very important, especially if you are aiming to lose weight or trim the tummy, that you act on tips like these 5 below, put together by Mary Caldwell on ajc.com…

Size matters, and so do ingredients.

Watch out for the “health halo” that seems to surround smoothies, and avoid anything that’s described as creamy, decadent or that includes whipped cream or drizzles of anything – Marisa Moore, a local dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

We’ve also added a model recipe as a guide at the end of this article…

On the Next Page you’ll discover the 1st couple of tips to help you make homemade smoothies that can help you lose weight. 

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Tips 1-2: To help you make homemade smoothies that can help you lose weight.

Tip 1. Load up on fiber

Adding high-fiber foods to your smoothie can help you feel fuller for longer. Since they take longer to digest than many other foods, they’ll leave you feeling satisfied so you aren’t as likely to overeat at your next meal. Include high-fiber foods such as raspberries (8 grams of fiber per cup) or avocado (about 9 grams per avocado). You could also top your smoothie off with some chia seeds, which are packed with 5.5 grams of fiber per tablespoon.

Tip 2. Add some protein

Protein also helps make you feel full and may also help you increase muscle mass. Add protein powder to your smoothie if you’d like, or get additional protein from tasty sources such as Greek yogurt and cottage cheese (use non-fat versions to save calories), almonds, almond butter, pumpkin seeds, oats or kale. And if you’re already adding chia seeds or avocado for the fiber, you’ll also be getting a healthy dose of protein as well.

On the Next Page, you’ll find the remaining 3 smoothie-making tips…

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Here are tips 3 to 5 of our 5 Amazing Healthy Smoothie Tips To Help Lose Weight

Tip 3. Don’t overdo the fruit

Fruit has a lot of good-for-you nutrients, but it can also be high in calories and sugar. Sticking to one serving of fruit per smoothie can help balance your calories and sugar with healthy ingredients, and you’ll still be able to enjoy a great-tasting creation.

Tip 4. Take it easy on the added sweeteners

Adding sugar or generous dollops of honey or maple syrup loads your smoothie up with unnecessary calories. It’s probably already sweet if you’ve included fruit, but if you need an extra zing, try some cinnamon or get a little adventurous with another herb or spice.

Tip 5. Add some veggies

Vegetables such as spinach and kale add a lot of nutrients without a lot of calories. And when mixed with the other ingredients in your smoothie, they won’t affect the taste as much as you might think.

On the Next Page we’ve provided a model recipe for smoothies to make at home…

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Bonus Tip: Model Smoothie Recipe

Its OK – once in a while – to treat yourself to a smoothie you don’t have to make. But it is much better to have full control over the ingredients by making your smoothie at home. If you’re new to smoothie making, here’s a guide recipe for a healthy and tasty smoothie.

Of course you can see over 1000 examples of great smoothie recipes to make at home right here on DrinkMeHealthy.com

The basic components of a smoothie are straight forward:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of liquid (water, milk, etc.)
• a thickener (ice, yogurt, banana, avocado, etc.)
• fruit (citrus, tropical, or berries to give the flavor you want)
• greens (spinach, kale, broccoli, etc for fiber & nutrition)
• other ingredients of your choice (nuts, seeds, spices, etc)

Source: Mary Caldwell on ajc.com

Photo courtesy Mary Caldwell on ajc.com