Our Most Popular Smoothie Recipes Make a Healthy, Satisfying Snack Any Time (2024)

FAQs

Are smoothies a healthy snack? ›

With the right ingredients, smoothies can be an excellent way to boost your fiber intake. Some of the most fiber-rich foods are also common smoothie ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains (such as soaked oats), nuts, seeds, and legumes (such as white beans).

Eating a protein-rich snack before bed could support muscle repair and help slow down age-related muscle loss, particularly if you exercise routinely (24). Smoothies are an easy and tasty way to sneak in protein-rich milk before bed.

Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is high in protein, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied. Pair your smoothie with a serving of Greek yogurt for added protein. Hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are another great source of protein that can be paired with a smoothie for a fill.

Smoothies rich in fiber and protein keep you full longer, while those made with fruits and vegetables increase your daily vegetable servings. As long as you are drinking smoothies made from a variety of fruits and vegetables and low in refined sugar, there would be no problem with consuming smoothies every day.

While they provide several health benefits, drinking too many smoothies can negatively affect your health. They can add a lot of unforeseen calories, especially when a smoothie is simply a beverage with a meal. Lorraine Fye, a Mayo Clinic dietitian, has some simple ways to get smart about fruit smoothies.

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

What's the best time to drink smoothie? ›

Even the biggest smoothie aficionados need a little crunch sometimes, and making a smoothie bowl is the perfect way to beef up your favorite recipe. Add a low-sugar, high-protein granola and some nuts, nut butter or seeds along with your fruit toppings to help keep you full for hours on end.

You May Not Be Satisfied

If your smoothie doesn't have protein, fiber and healthy fat, you may feel hungry shortly after drinking it, Scott says. This can make it easier for you to overeat. “It takes about 15 minutes for a conversation to take place between your stomach and brain that you're full,” Shapira says.

Flaxseed, Chia, or Nut Butter

Adding some healthy fat will not only help your body absorb fat soluble vitamins, it also contributes to feelings of fullness. Ground flaxseed, chia, and peanut butter or almond butter are all great choices.

Are Smoothies Good for Weight Loss? They can be. "Nutrient-packed, well-balanced smoothies can contribute to a healthy weight loss strategy, contingent upon the ingredients used, the macronutrient composition, and the satiety they offer,” said Routhenstein.

Yes and no. While most weight loss experts don't recommend substituting smoothies for every meal of the day, drinking them here or there (or even daily) can support weight loss goals. It all depends on what they contain and, of course, their portion size.

But for losing weight, smoothies tend not to be a good choice because they're liquids. Calories in liquid form have less satiety, or hunger-curbing power, than calories in solid form. Your best choice for losing weight is whole vegetables and whole fruit.

Although it's better to eat whole fruit than drink fruit juice or smoothies, ifyou want to have some it's better to limit the quantity to the recommended portion of 1 small glass a day (150ml) and make sure your drink goes further by diluting it with water. '