Check out these surprising smoothie ingredients for weight loss. Whether they’re high in protein, increase your veggie intake for the day, or provide a good dose of fiber, each has the potential to increase your chances of losing weight.
1. Frozen Riced Cauliflower
Cauliflower won’t even taste like it’s in your smoothie, and including it in your drink can add some satiating fiber in a low-calorie package. This addition may offer some weight loss benefits because fiber can help people feel more satisfied, which can help people eat less and lose weight over time.
Simply add a ¼ cup of frozen unflavored riced cauliflower to your smoothie ingredients before it is blended, and you will be left with a smoothie that has some serious staying power.
2. Chickpeas
Consuming pulses, such as chickpeas, which are high in plant-based protein and fiber, has been linked to weight loss. To make a filling smoothie with little effort, add some drained and rinsed canned chickpeas to your smoothie.
3. Walnuts
Walnuts are high in plant-based protein, fiber, and ALA omega-3 fatty acids, making them a nutritional powerhouse. Nuts, such as walnuts, have been linked to positive weight loss outcomes. While adding whole walnuts to a smoothie may not be on your list, it can add a unique richness to your drink that may help you achieve the weight loss you desire.
Your best bet is to soak your shelled walnuts for about 2 hours, drain, and allow them to dry before you make a smoothie with them. But if you just toss them in your blender as-is, that is a-ok too.
4. 100% Orange Juice
Adding 100% orange juice to your smoothie can add some natural sweetness to the mix with no added sugar. Studies report that children or adults who include 100% OJ in their diet are no more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who do not consume orange juice. Data has also shown that consuming 100% orange juice is linked to significantly lower body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, or body fat when compared to those who don’t drink orange juice.
5. Nut Butter
Many of us lean on protein powder to add this important macro to our smoothies. But instead of using these powders, trying out a natural nut butter–like almond, peanut, or walnut–can add some serious natural protein to your drink along with healthy fats and key micronutrients.
Eating more nuts may lead to better weight control. So, adding a tablespoon of this goodness can make eating nuts easy-breezy.
6. Prunes
Prunes are a low glycemic fruit that is a natural source of fiber, calcium, magnesium, and plenty of other nutrients. And they can add a natural sweetness to smoothies without resulting in a blood sugar spike like eating table sugar can. Just be sure to use pitted varieties before you start blending!
7. Green Tea
Adding cooled green tea to a smoothie can make for a uniquely-tasting blend that may help on your quest for weight loss—depending on what else you are adding to your blender. Green tea contains EGCG, a catechin that may be one of the features that makes this drink a weight loss dynamo.
8. Silken Tofu
Talk about some surprising smoothie ingredients for weight loss! Protein is an important macronutrient that supports weight loss goals in many cases. Silken tofu can add some dairy-free creaminess to a smoothie while giving it a boost of protein. Soy intake has been linked to weight loss in certain populations too.
9. Bone Broth
Combining bone broth with your typical smoothie ingredients may not be your first thought when you are deciding what to put in your blend. But this liquid can be a welcomed addition to your smoothie, as bone broth is a source of protein and electrolytes. For an easy way to add bone broth to your smoothie, freeze your fresh broth in ice cube trays. When you are ready to blend, add 3-4 frozen cubes to your blender along with your frozen fruit and other ingredients.
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