Its been a few months since the blender became your best friend but when you get on the scale you discover that not only you haven’t lost any weight but also you might have added a few pounds. If you wonder which is the explanation for this scenario check out the following post to find out which are the most healthy smoothie ingredients for a well-balanced lifestyle.
Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
Fiber up the Smoothie
Fiber has the role of keeping you full for longer and some fruits contain fibers, so it is essential to choose the right ones. Bananas are among the most common ingredients used in smoothies, but they contain only 1.4 grams of fiber. Your smoothie should have minimum 10 grams, so consider adding a mix of the following: berries, kale, avocado, kiwi, pear, flaxseeds and chia seeds.
Make Proteins Your Friend
Not only did you put spinach in the smoothie, but you added kale. Your body appreciates the multitude of nutrients and fiber found in these ingredients, but it also requires some protein to provide you with energy. For 10 grams of protein add milk, soy milk, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or nuts.
Do Not Overindulge if You Want a Healthy Smoothie
Drinking a smoothie made from a lot of fruit is much better than eating a donut, but even if fruits contain nutrients and fiber, they are still full of calories. If you fill your blender with 5 fruits you have a 500-calorie meal. In addition, because fruits have natural sugars, your body metabolizes them quickly and you feel hungry again in an hour. To avoid this, pay attention to the fruit intake and add a source of protein as advised above.
Control Your Sweet Tooth
A teaspoon of honey adds up to 60 calories to your smoothie and it is unnecessary if you use any fruit that contains natural sweeteners. Also, some foods such as avocados, walnuts, sweeteners and even fruits like apples, pears, mangoes, cherries and bananas contain hundreds of calories each. Do not get them out of your smoothies, just be careful about the quantities!
Snack or Meal?
After a workout, you need carbohydrates and protein, but you must always remember that a snack should remain a snack. Smoothies have around 300 calories, while a snack should be around 150 calories. If you do not want to give up on your smoothie, reduce the ingredients by half.
