There are tons of recipes available on the internet. Whether you follow a keto, paleo, vegetarian or vegan diet, you’ll definitely be able to find at least something to your liking. However, dieters are always on the hunt for the next big weight loss discovery. If you’re also a thrill seeker when it comes to your diet, this article might open you up to a whole new direction of weight loss friendly recipes! If you want to find out more about delicious vegan smoothie recipes that will rev up your metabolism and learn how to make them at home with just a couple of ingredients, stick with this read.
Smoothies: A Short Guide
You probably know that smoothies are thick and creamy drinks made of healthy ingredients that pack a powerful nutrient punch. They usually contain dairy or non-dairy/plant-based milk, water, juices, fruits or vegetable puree, some seeds and nuts. Basically, all you need is some liquid and fiber base, and voilà, you can create your own smoothie recipes that are tailored to your own taste and preferences.
Some of the most common options are fruit smoothies, protein smoothies, and green smoothies. The first type mainly consists of fruits and some liquid ingredients. The second type calls for protein ingredients like protein powder, cottage cheese, yogurt etc., on top of the liquid base, and some fruits or veggies. Green smoothies include leafy green veggies and fruits plus liquid ingredients.
You need to stock up on a mix-and-match of healthy picks like bananas, berries, mangoes, or apples. Fruits will kick up the flavor of your smoothie and will add the sweetness, which is perfect for those with an uncontrollable sweet tooth. Cucumbers, avocadoes, carrots, spinach, and kale are perfect vegetable smoothie ingredients. Peanuts, walnuts, or chia seeds are additional foods that’ll power up your smoothie and fuel you for the day ahead. Water, juice, milk, and nondairy milk are the most common liquid ingredients.
Some people also enrich the flavor of their drinks by adding flavoring ingredients like cocoa powder, cinnamon, or basil. Those people, who want to make their smoothies more nutritious, can add mineral or vitamin supplements and protein powder. If you’re looking for ways to have a sweet tooth, you can add a small amount of honey or maple syrup.
As for the vegan smoothies for weight loss, the main idea is quite obvious – all the ingredients should be vegan-friendly and healthy.
Read More: Green Smoothies For Weight Loss That Pack A Serious Health Punch
Are Vegan Smoothies Healthy?
Vegan smoothies, on top of being delicious, offer a bunch of health benefits. You already know that they usually include fruits and veggies. Fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, that are found in fruits and vegetables, cut the risk of chronic diseases and inflammation in your body on top of promoting your digestive system health.
Adults should consume a least 5 servings (approximately 400 grams) of fruits and vegetables a day (4). Smoothies are a definite must if you’re trying to improve and maintain healthier eating habits.
Fruits and veggies, as well as smoothies, are packed with dietary fiber, which is essential for your body. It supports your health and keeps your digestive system in check. Consuming fiber can also significantly lower your risks of type II diabetes and even heart disease (3, 4).
Vegan Smoothies: Recipes For Weight Loss
Smoothies are quite popular with people from all walks of life. No matter your dietary preferences, you can whip up a variation of a vitamin-packed smoothie that’ll perfectly fit your dietary needs. Vegans can incorporate smoothies into their diet plan as well, but you just should be a little more careful when choosing the ingredients. Below you can see 3 recipes of the most delicious vegan smoothies for weight loss.
Strawberry Smoothie
This amazing raw vegan smoothie for weight loss will definitely impress you with its taste. You’ll need a cup of frozen strawberries, 7 medjool dates and 1 cup water. Just blend it all together and enjoy your drink!
Vegan Breakfast Smoothie For Weight Loss
You’ll need ¼ large avocado, 1 cup baby spinach, 1 chopped celery stalk, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint, a half of large grapefruit, one cup of fresh pineapple chunks and ½ cup green tea. Blend the ingredients until smooth. It will be better to blend mint, baby spinach, celery and liquid first, and then add the rest of the foods. Just a suggestion, drink this smoothie chilled!
Raspberry smoothie
This is another delicious recipe that won’t take much time or effort. You’ll need ½ banana, 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup raspberries, 1 tablespoon peanut butter and 1/2cup ice. Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Bananas are packed with potassium and other important micronutrients. Raspberries contain minerals and vitamins (especially vitamin C), and peanut butter will provide you with tons of vitamin E (2).
This is just an example of what you can cook by blending healthy and nutrient-dense ingredients. Feel free to create your own recipes. If you want to make your drink more refreshing and cool, you can add ice cubes before blending the ingredients. Give these vegan dairy-free smoothies for weight loss a try, you won’t regret it!
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FAQs
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Can Vegan Smoothies Make You Lose Weight?
Vegan smoothies are usually made of low-calorie ingredients and contain no dairy. There’s no reason why such a vitamin-packed drink shouldn’t be one of the tools in your weight loss arsenal. If you watch your portion sizes, stay in a calorie deficit, and sneak in some exercise on a daily basis, you should be well on your way to the body of your dreams.
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Are All Smoothies Healthy And Beneficial To To Healthier Eating Habits?
When it comes to weight loss, healthy eating choices should be your number one priority. Yes, smoothies (with nutritious ingredients) can be classified as healthy beverages, but it doesn’t mean that you can eat whatever you want throughout the day. Simply put, if you drink a healthy vegan smoothie for breakfast, you still should stay away from junk and processed food during the rest of the day. If you are a vegan, you should consume at least 5 portions of various fruits and veggies per day (6). Potatoes, whole grain starches like rye bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, low fat dairy and alternatives, beans and legumes, healthy oils, and plenty of fluids should be the foundation of your diet. Make sure you plan your diet carefully so that your body gets all the essential nutrients it needs to keep you alive and well (6).
If you don’t choose the ingredients for your smoothies carefully, you might end up consuming increased amounts of sugar. Regular consumption of added sugars may increase your risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. If you want to lose weight, opt for healthier options and recipes (1, 5).
Conclusion
As you can see, vegan smoothies for weight loss can become a nice addition to your daily menu. They are packed with nutrients that will support your overall health. However, remember to choose the ingredients wisely.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- 5 reasons why smoothies are not a shortcut to a healthy diet (2016, bhf.org.uk)
- 10 Healthy Fruit Smoothies, All Under 300 Calories (2020, verywellfit.com)
- Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap: Communication Strategies From a Food and Fiber Summit (2017, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Benefits and Progress of Nutrition Education Interventions- Narrative Review Article (2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The sweet danger of added sugars (2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The vegan diet (2018, nhs.uk)
