Low fat Smoothie Recipes with almond milk

A major reason for the popularity of smoothies is their chameleon-like ability to be transformed into whatever you need them to be. Whether you just want a sweet treat, a workout drink, a health-boost or want to lose weight – smoothies can do it all. It’s what makes them so great, well that and the fact that they are excessively delicious.

Because smoothies are so adaptable and because they are mouthwateringly yummy, it’s easy to get carried away and add ingredients that turn your smoothie into a sugar-loaded, super-sweet calorie bomb and to supersize your portion size. It doesn’t help that a voice in the back of your head is willing you on to down a bucket-sized smoothie because smoothies are ulta-healthy afterall, so portion size doesn’t count. But it does. You know it does. Healthy foods have calories too, and they count just as much as any other calorie.

I say all that to say this, you need to have a clear idea why you are making a smoothie in order to control what ingredients you’re adding and how much you’re making.

Here’s an overview of how to make a weight loss smoothie:

1. Make the smoothie filling by adding ingredients that thicken the smoothie. Great smoothie-thickening ingredients include chia seeds and frozen fruit.
2. Use water, coconut water, non-dairy milk or low-fat milk as your smoothie base to make it a low-calorie smoothie. Skip the juices – they’ll increase the calorie content of the smoothie, and you’ll probably be adding fruit anyway.
3. Carbohydrates should come from fruit or veggies. Watch your portions here, and keep to about 2 cups of fruit per serving.
4. Add protein to make your smoothie filling, feed your muscles and to make it more of a meal.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of healthy fats such as avocado, nut butters, and flaxseeds. Healthy fats are important for optimal health, help your body absorb nutrients, and make weight loss smoothies more satisfying.
6. Go easy on the sweeteners. Try to use only fruit to sweeten your smoothie. But if you need a little more stick to natural sweeteners such as molasses, xylitol and honey.
7. Increase flavour without adding calories by adding spices or fresh herbs.
8. Add natural weight loss aids such as green tea, cinnamon and ginger.

Let’s get into how to make a weight loss smoothie in detail.

MAKE IT THICK

The first rule of smoothie making? Make your smoothie thick. When you want to lose weight you need to cut back calories. Now unless you want to feel hungry all the time, you need to make sure that though you’re eating less you still feel full. Otherwise, sooner or later you’re going to run out of willpower, and hit the nearest junk food joint for all it’s got. You might as well face the fact that you’re not going to survive any kind of diet if you’re perpetually feeling ravenous.