Are Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies Good for Your Health?
The word smoothie often conjures up images of fresh fruits and vegetables blended and garnished with a topping of choice. These healthy beverages can be modified to anyone’s preference and can also be purchased from the market.
People often prefer smoothies for weight loss. And why not? Loaded with all the antioxidants coming from raw fruits and vegetables, they offer a perfect balance of nutrients and calories. Being super-healthy, are smoothies all you need to achieve your desired weight? Are they the ultimate health elixir for everyone? Let’s find out.
Are Smoothies Healthy?
Caption: Man preparing a smoothie, Credits: Pixabay
No one can deny the fact that smoothies of all kinds, except for some processed ones in the market, are extremely healthy. Making a smoothie offers you the advantage of choosing and controlling the amount of each ingredient in it. Hence, you know what you are consuming and how beneficial it is for you.
Weight loss smoothies are extremely healthy because they contain
Fruits and vegetables like berries, banana, mango, leafy greens.
Nuts and seeds such as almond butter, peanut butter, Chia seeds, hemp and flax.
Spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, parsley.
Liquids like non-dairy milk, coconut water, vegetable juice.
Green smoothies are a good method to obtain the necessary vegetable serving. They help to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes in particular. You will definitely lose weight if you combine these smoothies with regular exercise and lots of rest as well as a healthy diet. All this makes it clear that the answer to the question are vegetable smoothies good for you is certainly yes.
Are Smoothies Good for Weight Loss – What’s the Verdict?
Caption: Woman drinking a smoothie, Credits: Pixabay
Weight loss happens when the amount of calories you consume is less than the number of calories burned by your body. Simply put, calories consumed<calories burned puts your body in a caloric deficit which aids weight loss. If you are consuming more calories from other food sources or from smoothies then, unfortunately, drinking smoothies will not aid in weight loss.
Apart from that, sometimes to increase the volume of smoothie, we keep adding fruits without realizing that each new addition of an ingredient is increasing the number of calories in it. Portion control with fruits and vegetables is very important while preparing your smoothie. A smoothie high in protein and fats can keep you satiated for a long time and help in weight loss.
When Smoothies Are Not a Suitable Option for Weight Loss
Caption: A rich smoothie, Credits: Pixabay
Many people find it difficult to lose weight with smoothies. Smoothies are not the right option for many because of the following reasons:
Fruits and vegetables in liquid form offer less satiety than in their whole form. For example, two blended mangoes will give you less satiation than two whole mangoes.
Blending fruits break down the fiber in them. Thus it can quickly spike your blood sugar levels and make you feel hungry.
Store-bought smoothies contain massive quantities of added sugar. They contain artificial sweeteners, fat, and calories.
How to Make Healthy Smoothies?
Caption: Woman drinking a smoothie, Credits: Pixabay
You can make your smoothies healthy by following the tips given below:
Always combine a source of leafy greens to your fruits to make your smoothies.
Always include a protein and a fat source like nut butter, hemp, chia, or flaxseeds, yogurt, or non-dairy milk.
Be mindful of the portions of fruits. Do not go overboard with fruits.
Don’t rely too much on store-bought smoothies. Make your own instead.
Smoothies are undoubtedly very beneficial for the optimal functioning of your body. They provide all the crucial micro and macronutrients and are an essential part of a well-balanced diet. High protein and high fiber smoothies can help you lose weight. However, the best way of consuming smoothies is to make them a part of a healthy lifestyle which includes plenty of rest and physical exercise.