Smoothies are a fantastic way to pack in a ton of nutrients in one convenient meal or snack. When making smoothies for weight loss, it’s important to load them up with ingredients that will keep you full for hours, while also delivering essential vitamins and minerals. Here are 7 delicious and healthy smoothie recipes to try for weight loss:
Green Avocado Smoothie (185 calories): This creamy green smoothie gets its richness from avocado instead of yogurt or milk. Avocado makes it thick, smooth and filling. The spinach provides fiber, vitamin K and folate.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 an avocado
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1⁄2 frozen banana
- Stevia or honey to taste
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Top with chia seeds, slivered almonds or coconut if desired.
Berry Nutty Protein Smoothie (250 calories): Pack in the protein with this nut butter and protein powder smoothie. It’s bursting with antioxidants from the berries and healthy fats from the almond butter. The flaxseed adds fiber and omega-3s.
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1⁄2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- Stevia or honey to taste
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Top with sliced almonds or berries if desired.
Tropical Green Smoothie Bowl (300 calories): Turn your smoothie into a fun smoothie bowl with this sweet, tropical blend. It’s like having dessert for breakfast! The mango and pineapple make it taste like you’re on an island vacation. But with healthy fats from the coconut milk and avocado, it’s actually quite filling.
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1⁄2 frozen banana
- 1⁄2 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1⁄2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1⁄4 an avocado
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- Stevia or honey to taste
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, adding more coconut milk if needed for blending. Transfer to a bowl and top with sliced banana, chia seeds, coconut flakes and cinnamon if desired.
PB&J Protein Smoothie (270 calories): This fun smoothie tastes just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! It packs protein from Greek yogurt and peanut butter, as well as fruit, which helps boost fiber. The sweetness comes naturally from the frozen banana and strawberries.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 2 tbsp peanut butter powder or regular peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more yogurt if needed for blending. Top with a drizzle of peanut butter if desired.
Peaches & Cream Smoothie (290 calories): The creamy, dreamy texture of this peach smoothie comes from blended cottage cheese. It gives it protein and calcium too! With a touch of honey, cinnamon and vanilla it tastes just like peach pie filling.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup frozen peach slices
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Top with sliced peaches and granola if desired.
Superfood Chocolate Smoothie (300 calories): Drinking your greens doesn’t have to taste like grass! This chocolatey smoothie tricks you into eating a big helping of raw greens and antioxidant-rich berries. The almond milk and avocado make it ultra creamy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1⁄2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1⁄4 an avocado
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup raw spinach or kale
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- Stevia or honey to taste
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Add more almond milk as needed to blend. Top with shredded coconut, cocoa nibs, chia seeds or chocolate shavings if desired.
Coffee Banana Protein Shake (230 calories): Start your day with an energy kick from this coffee protein shake. Brewed coffee makes the banana flavor pop and gives the shake a nice mocha flavor with the cocoa powder. It has just the right amount of sweetness and is made with wholesome ingredients for plenty of nutrition.
Ingredients:
- 3⁄4 cup cold brew coffee or brewed coffee
- 1⁄2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1⁄2 frozen banana
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1⁄4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add additional almond milk as needed to blend. Top with coconut whipped cream or crushed coffee beans for extra flair.
The key to making healthy smoothies for weight loss is using mostly unsweetened ingredients and getting protein, fiber and healthy fats into your drinks. These nutritious smoothie recipes check all those boxes while still being utterly delicious! Enjoy them any time you need a filling snack or on-the-go meal.