If you’re trying to slim down, weight loss smoothies are one of the best ways to get quality nutrients into your day, while enjoying delicious (healthy) beverages that taste amazing! Some of the reasons healthy smoothies work fantastic for weight loss is because they can help you get the protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats you need, while being quick and convenient meal options for busy schedules.
On top of that, you can also load up your smoothies with some of the best smoothie ingredients for weight loss (AKA: Ingredients proven to assist with your weight loss goals)! In this article, we’ll let you in on some of these awesome smoothie ingredients for weight loss – which all support optimal health while also working to satisfy your appetite, suppress hunger, reduce bloat, increase energy, kickstart fat-burning, and more. Read on to learn more!
6 Healthy Smoothie Ingredients for Weight Loss
1) Berries
Berries (blueberries, strawberries, and even raspberries) are already a smoothie-favorite for so many reasons! These highly-nutritious, low-carb fruits mix well with many different meal replacement shake powder flavors, and you can even get them frozen for added convenience (and frostier smoothies).
Not only that, but blueberries in particular are one of the best fat-burning foods you can eat! In one study at the University of Michigan, rats that ate a diet rich in blueberries for three months showed a significant reduction in belly fat compared to the control group. In addition, strawberries and raspberries are rich in polyphenols – or powerful antioxidants that can help halt the formation of fat.
2) Chia seeds
Next, chia seeds are another popular healthy smoothie ingredient for weight loss – as they add invaluable fiber and protein to your shakes, along with healthy fats. Feel free to add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds directly into your blender, or add them into water or another liquid first so that they can “gel” and become softer before blending.
In general, chia seeds are such an effective smoothie ingredient for weight loss due to their high fiber content – about 10g of fiber per 2 tbsp. serving. Diets high in fiber have been linked to weight loss, due to their ability to not only keep you full, but keep you from reaching for high-calorie, unhealthy foods (which can happen when you eat refined carbs and other sugary foods).
3) Plant-based protein powder
Next, with any weight loss smoothie, you definitely want to include a high-quality protein powder – and we prefer plant-based proteins. The reason is because these proteins provide additional nutrients that many dairy protein powders do not – along with being high in fiber, low in calories, and high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more.
In addition, plant-based proteins (especially pea, brown rice and hemp) have been shown to be particularly beneficial for helping to build lean muscle, without the digestive side effects that can sometimes come with whey protein powders. Plus, having more muscle boosts your metabolism, enabling you to burn more calories and fat throughout the day.
4) Spinach
Beyond being a nutritional powerhouse, spinach also provides excellent weight loss benefits. Plus, although you may turn up your nose at the idea of a leafy green in your smoothies, you won’t even realize it’s there when it comes to flavor! When you add spinach into a weight loss smoothie, you cannot taste the actual veggie at all – but it does (surprisingly), give your shake a creamier, smoother consistency.
And one major reason it’s one of the best smoothie ingredients for weight loss is the high amount of fiber it contains per serving. One cup contains about 0.7g of fiber, and 3 1/2 cups (about ½ cup cooked spinach) contains 2.4g of fiber, (which is 10 percent of the daily value). Dietary fiber is one of the best ingredients for weight loss when it comes to being full and satisfied after meals. In addition, insoluble fiber in particular promotes optimal digestive health, working to prevent bloating and constipation.
5) MCT Oil
Bottles with fresh coconut oil on wooden table
Next, if you haven’t yet heard of MCT Oil, it’s definitely among the best smoothie ingredients for weight loss – and also for a healthy lifestyle in general. If you’re on the keto diet, this oil (which is typically derived from coconut oil), can also help you get into ketosis, along with hit your daily dietary requirement for healthy fats.
MCT Oil typically has no smell and a very light, neutral taste, so it’s great in smoothies because it won’t change the flavor. Due to the shorter chain fats in MCT Oil (medium chain triglycerides or MCTs), it’s also absorbed rapidly into your body after consumption, creating an instant boost of energy – and increase in metabolism. For this reason, it’s one of the best fat-burning foods; And since it’s an oil, it’s also a powerful appetite suppressor.
6) Oats
Another amazing smoothie ingredient for weight loss, oats provide substance and texture to your shakes. Especially for healthy breakfast smoothies, oats are a great addition to keep you really full, plus give you lots of energy and stamina for physical tasks. They also provide numerous benefits for your overall health, especially for your heart since they promote healthy cholesterol levels.
Oats are another healthy smoothie ingredient that’s packed with fiber – and in particular, they contain a soluble fiber called beta-glucan that helps increase your feeling of fullness. The beta-glucan also promotes the release of a hormone called peptide YY – which is a satiety hormone that has been linked to lower calorie intake and less risk of obesity in studies.
Did you enjoy this article? Let us know in the comments, below. Plus, check out some great healthy weight loss smoothie recipes using some of the ingredients mentioned above, here!
Sources:
https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-smoothie-ingredients-for-weight-loss/
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/10-things-to-add-to-your-smoothies-for-quicker-weight-loss-1807869
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-fat-burning-foods#section1
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270609.php
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/chia-seeds-and-weight-loss#weight-loss
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-oats-oatmeal
