In this article, we are going to look at recipes for green smoothies for weight loss. In our daily struggles to lose weight, most people find it hard to follow a specific weight loss diet due to a very busy schedule. Many end up skipping meals or opting for fast food which is high in sugar, fat, and calories. This makes the weight loss journey more complicated.
Fortunately, we can fix these gaps by incorporating recipes for a green smoothie for weight loss in our daily meal plan. These give a simple and quick fix for the nutrients that your body needs. On top of that, preparing green smoothies for weight loss takes less than five minutes. All you need is to load the required ingredients in your blender, blend and within five minutes you’re ready to go.
The recipes for green smoothies for weight loss are; Kale green recipe, spinach avocado grape recipe, Mint Mojito recipe, sweetie pea recipe, and crisp mango cucumber recipe.
What are green smoothies for weight loss?
Green smoothies are blended drinks that contain green vegetables, fruit, or a combination of the two. In many instances, green smoothies are green or bright green. These smoothies are low in calories, high in fiber that makes you full longer, encourage good digestion, and enhances the fat-burning processes in the body.
What are the best recipes for green smoothies for weight loss?
Below are some of our best recipes for green smoothies for weight loss. You can try different ingredients as well and find out the ones that work best for you.
1. Crisp mango cucumber green smoothie
This smoothie for weight loss has a light creamy texture and a great flavor. The mangoes provide soluble fiber, vitamins (C, A), and a variety of antioxidants. The smoothies will boost your metabolism as well as reducing bloat.
Equipment: Blender
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mango
- 1 orange peeled
- A cup of chopped cucumber
- One tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 cup spinach
Ingredients
- Add all the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth, while adding more water until the desired thickness.
- Serve, and wash your blender right away to avoid sticking.
2. Kale green smoothie
Kale green smoothie is low in calories, rich in vitamin C, and also has cancer-fighting properties.
Equipment: Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup cherries
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 cup fresh kale
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 cup almond milk
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to the blender.
- Blend while adding water until smooth.
- Serve, and clean the blender to avoid sticking.
3. Sweetie pea-green smoothie
Peas are high in fiber, protein, and are very filling. This definitely will have to reduce how much you eat hence weight loss in the long term
Equipment: Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweet peas
- 1 banana
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Add all the green smoothie recipes ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until the desired thickness.
- Serve and clean up the blender.
4. Spinach Avocado Grape Green Smoothie
This is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin K, protein, and essential nutrients like manganese, potassium, and vitamin C.
Equipment: Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach leaves, packed
- 1 ripe pear, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 15 green or red grapes
- 6 ounces fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped avocado
- 1 or 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until the desired consistency.
serve and clean the blender.
5. Mint Mojito Green Smoothie
Equipment: Blender
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of fresh spinach
- 1 large handful of fresh mint
- 3/4 cups of coconut water, or regular water
- Juice of 2 limes
- 3 teaspoons of hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 frozen or freshly chopped banana
- Ice cubes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons of honey (optional)
Directions
- Add the mint, spinach and coconut water into a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the hemp seeds, lime juice, and banana into your juicer and blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Garnish the mixture with mint and lime.
Do green smoothies help you lose weight?
Green smoothies are nutrient-dense, low in calories, and high in fiber. This means that you can stay full longer and this may help weight loss. However, smoothies alone cannot be relied on for weight loss.
The best strategy is to consider all the behaviors that support healthy body weight and drinking a smoothie could be one of the weight-loss behaviors. Others may include; eating a balanced diet, having regular physical activity, ensuring adequate sleep, joining social support groups, and stress management activities.
What is the best time to drink green smoothies for weight loss?
Well, the simple answer to this question would be “ANYTIME” is the best time to drink a green smoothie for weight loss. There is not something like a bad time or good time when it comes to drinking a green smoothie for weight loss. emphasis should be put on the specific ingredients we include on the specific times of the day. for example what ingredients should be part of a breakfast smoothie, lunch, or evening smoothies.
How many pounds can you lose drinking green smoothies?
When it comes to how much weight one may lose with a green smoothie, this varies from one individual to another, depending on their metabolic rate, age, current weight, and whether they are incorporating other lifestyle changes such as better sleep, regular exercise and managing stress. However, on average, one can lose about 10 pounds in two weeks.
What are other green smoothie benefits?
1. Clear skin
The high fiber content in most smoothies will eliminate toxins from your body, giving you a clearer and radiant skin. Also, vitamin E and C found in green leafy vegetables keep your skin healthy as you age.
2. Hydration
Drinking green smoothies is also an excellent way to ensure that the body gets adequate fluids. One reason why people fail to drink the required six to eight glasses of water daily is simply that water is tasteless. When you add more water to the smoothie mixture, you are drinking more liquids without noticing it.
4. Improves mood and fights depression
Folate, a nutrient found in green vegetables fights memory loss and increases serotonin levels which are the natural feel-good hormones hence improving moods.
5. Mental clarity and focus
The antioxidants and carotenoids boost your brainpower as well as protecting your brain. The ingredients such as B-vitamins help memory, focus, and overall brain health and function.
6. Rich in chlorophyll
Research says that chlorophyll enhances the immune system, purifies the blood, and rejuvenates the body.
7. Increases vegetable and fruit consumption
According to the American Cancer Society, we are required to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day to prevent cancer and other diseases. Green leafy vegetables can be consumed easily and in large amounts through smoothies without tasting them. The fruits will mask the flavors of most of the vegetables
8. Helps the digestive system
Green smoothies are a combination of whole fruits and vegetables. These are nutrient-dense and high in fiber. The fiber ensures good colon health, proper bowel movement, and eases constipation.
Downsides of using green smoothies for weight loss?
Just like any diet, using green smoothies for weight loss comes with side effects these include the following
1. Nutrient deficiencies
The green smoothie will not give the body all the necessary nutrients. For example, vitamin D and B12 are not contained in green smoothies. You will need to supplement the smoothies with foods rich in those particular vitamins. Fruits and vegetables are also low in zinc.
2. Only work short-term
This kind of diet can only be relied on for the short term. One can initially lose some pounds but after some time, the weight comes right back. This is because most of you can’t drink smoothies for the rest of your life which is even associated with health challenges.
3. May cause blood sugar spike
Drinking quickly or including too many fruits can cause blood sugar spikes more so in diabetics. Therefore, make sure to choose low sugar fruits, chewing your smoothies, and drink slowly.
4. It is costly
Green smoothies are always a try and error. Experimenting with food and yielding bad results affects your pocket. Even following a recipe is not a guarantee that it will come out perfect and delicious. It takes time and money to find a perfect nutrient-dense recipe.
Bottom line
Although green smoothies are nutrient-dense and can give you short-term weight loss results, there is no quick fix for weight loss. The only way to a healthy weight is to burn more calories than you consume. You can eat whichever food you feel like and still lose weight provided you create a calorie deficit.
Before you sign out, we also have a very good article about foods for weight. please have a look at this article to make sure you are eating the right type of food.
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