Amanda Pasko holds a Master’s in Nutritional Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a Master’s in Nutrition from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. To her, it is rewarding to help others reach their goals.
Whether you’re new to dieting or not, you’ve probably heard the term “green smoothie” being thrown around as a part of a slimming diet. There are just as many versions of smoothie diets as there are recipes for this type of drink. However, the end goal is always the same – to lose weight by restricting your intake of other foods and creating a caloric deficit.
Before you get started with any diet, it’s always a good idea to find out whether it works from a scientific point of view.
A green smoothie is simply a blend of fresh fruits and vegetables. In theory, you’re allowed to use any combination of these two ingredients to create a healthy version of the smoothie.
For example, an average green smoothie recipe may include 2 cups of spinach, 4 stalks of celery, 3 apples, and 1 cup of water.
The fruit will provide natural sugars (fructose) and fiber for a slower release and absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, which in turn makes you feel full for longer (16). The vegetables will supply antioxidants and other nutrients necessary to keep your body healthy (23). Smoothies also offer an excellent way of getting more fruits and vegetables, which offer a vast array of health benefits, in your daily diet.
In fact, one study found that people who consumed more fruits and vegetables experienced greater weight loss (11).
However, you should know that not every smoothie is as healthy as it could be. For example, there are frozen versions of smoothies in the grocery store with a high content of added sugars and high-fat dairy that can have health drawbacks if consumed in large quantities.
The smoothie diet is based on the principle that it will provide quick and sustained weight loss while keeping you feeling full for long hours of the day. It also promises to help detoxify your body by “flushing” away harmful toxins from the digestion process.
Technically, yes. If you replace high-calorie, excessively processed meals with green smoothies, then many health benefits are likely, including weight loss.
As part of a balanced diet, smoothies can help you lose weight. However, these factors matter too:
If you want to lose 1 pound in a week, then it’s important to know that the average adult requires approximately 2,000-2,500 calories per day, although there is significant individual variability (4). Many smoothie diets recommend a limit of 750 calories per day, which is a fraction of your daily caloric needs and consequently places the body in a large caloric deficit.
Keeping all of this in mind, if you create the perfect green smoothie with low sugar content, and add a few nuts or seeds to give it some texture, you’ll still be adding fewer calories than the smoothie diet allows. Therefore, this diet can be an effective way of maintaining your weight loss for a longer time period.
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Green smoothies are packed with fiber, which will help improve the health of your digestive system (19). Fiber comes in two forms – soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves into a gel-like substance when it interacts with water. Therefore, it’s able to slow down digestion and cause you to feel full for longer periods of time (9).
Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water, so it moves through the digestive system pretty quickly. It’s responsible for bulking up your stool, which can prevent constipation (9).
Both types of fiber are found in high content in green smoothies, especially if you use leafy greens such as spinach and kale.
Unlike juices, which are generally high in natural sugars, smoothies are known to have a slower release into the bloodstream. Therefore, they help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
This is particularly important for diabetics who may be prone to blood sugar spikes, which can cause them to feel very energized and sluggish at different times of the day (19). For everyone else, keeping your blood sugar stable is the best way to keep you energized for as long as possible.
Green smoothies are also known to be rich in antioxidants, which are responsible for the protection and repair of cells throughout your body. They help eliminate free radicals, which can lead to premature signs of aging (2).
Depending on your body type and goals, the idea of drinking smoothies for weight loss may not be a good fit for you. However, they can definitely help speed up your weight loss process and offer certain other health benefits by adding fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients to your diet.
Apples, blueberries, bananas, mangoes, peaches – almost any fruit that is both sweet and in season will do. You can also use other fruits, but you should keep in mind that some may add extra calories to your smoothie, which could thwart your goal of weight loss.
Beets, cucumber, kale, melons – green smoothies are great because you can mix almost any vegetable into them. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale will help add to the fiber content in your beverage, which is good for weight loss and improved digestive health. Vegetables are also low-energy, dense foods (21).
Almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds – adding nuts and seeds to your smoothie gives it some texture and extra protein. This is particularly important as a source of protein, which helps promote satiety and build and repair tissues in the body, if you’re not including animal products in your diet.
Almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk – pick the one that best suits your taste preferences. Non-dairy milks can add additional nutrients to smoothies and make them creamier (12).
Some people may like using dairy milk, but it’s important to keep in mind that dairy milk is considered a processed food as it has been highly altered by refining and homogenizing.
Avocado and coconut oil are some of the best sources of healthy fats as they contain monounsaturated fatty acids (1). They can also be used for making smoothies creamier while boosting their nutritional profiles.
Read more: 24 Weight Loss Smoothies, 2 Diet Plans, and 5 Belly Fat Smoothie Secrets
A lot of people who have tried the smoothie diet claim to have lost between 5 and 20 pounds in a matter of weeks. However, it’s important to note that these numbers are based on testimonials, which don’t always represent the truth.
You should also be aware that any weight loss you experience from this diet will come down to your eating habits and exercise routine. Smoothies are not a magical potion – if you consume two smoothies per day plus a regular meal while still being sedentary and are not in a caloric deficit, you’re not going to lose weight.
It should also be noted that although smoothies can help you get a number of essential nutrients, the majority of smoothie recipes are still lacking when it comes to protein and fat. Therefore, it’s important to have a source of protein with your meal (animal or plant-based) so you can feel satiated throughout the day (g).
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To lose a significant amount of weight on this diet, you’ll have to take it beyond 30 days. It’s not recommended to follow the smoothie diet for a sustained period of time as limiting your meals to just smoothies will likely not provide you with sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals that are found in whole foods.
Here’s how your menu for a day can look on this diet:
In addition to consuming a balanced diet, it’s equally important to make sure you get adequate physical activity. Staying consistently active is the key to a caloric deficit, weight loss, fat loss, and maintaining a healthy body (22).
Healthy snacking is a great way to stay full without adding empty or extra calories to your diet. Check out our blog, Salt-Free Snacks, for bite ideas that support your weight loss or healthy diet.
No, you shouldn’t just drink smoothies instead of eating whole foods. Relying solely on smoothies can lead to several nutritional deficiencies and health issues:
Therefore, while smoothies can be a nutritious part of your diet, they should complement whole foods rather than replace them entirely. Balance and variety are the key to maintaining overall health and well-being. As a result, even a diet that focuses on smoothies should also involve chewable whole foods to support all areas of health.
The best smoothie for weight loss is one that is low in calories, high in fiber, contains protein, and includes ingredients that boost metabolism and reduce appetite. Focus on combining nutrient-dense foods that support weight loss through various mechanisms.
Example Recipe:
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. This combination provides a balanced intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, supporting weight loss by keeping you full, energized, and satisfied.
A smoothie can be a balanced meal if it contains all the necessary macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) (3), although many smoothies don’t contain all of these components.
For a smoothie to be considered a complete meal, it should provide 300-500 calories and include ingredients that support satiety, energy levels, and overall health. Some examples of balanced smoothie ingredients include:
Overall, a balanced smoothie should provide a good mix of nutrients and provide enough calories to keep you feeling full and energized until your next meal. It should not be used as a replacement for all meals, but rather as a convenient and nutritious option when time is limited or you’re on the go.
So, make sure to include nutrient-dense ingredients in your smoothies to support overall health and well-being. Happy blending!
The healthiest thing to put in a smoothie is a mix of nutrient-dense whole foods that provide a good balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). These ingredients provide essential nutrients for the body to function optimally and support overall health and well-being (3).
Explore the functions of the 4 Macronutrients and in what quantities to include them in your meals in greater detail in our previous blog post.
Drinking smoothies every day can be healthy if:
While eating a well-balanced meal is important to maintain a healthy weight, the quantities of food you eat also matter. Find out more in our blog, Eating Too Much Healthy Food: Can Good Nutrition Cause Weight Gain?
The 30-day smoothie diet can be a great way to kickstart both healthier eating habits and your weight loss journey. By following some simple tips and precautions, you can successfully complete the 30 days and reap the many benefits of this program.
Remember, smoothies alone can never replace a well-rounded and balanced diet, so make sure you continue making healthy food choices even after you’ve completed the 30 days.
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