Did you know that many of the vitamins and nutrient in your food die off during the cooking process? Water soluble vitamins like B, C, and polyphenols are most vulnerable (1). Therefore, some foods are best eaten raw to make their nutrients more bioavailable. And one of the best ways to eat raw fruits and vegetables is to drink them in smoothies.
5 Delicious Weight Loss Smoothies
To make all the recipes below, combine frozen ingredients first, followed by dry ingredients and liquids. Blend until smooth. Add extra toppings like coconut, granola, or seeds before serving. Enjoy immediately.
1. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This smoothie is perfectly sweet and satisfactory while requiring very little prep time. Plus, it’s under 500 calories and contains lot of protein, vitamin C, calcium, and Riboflavin.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1/2 banana
- 2 tablespoons sliced raw nuts (try Almonds, cashews, or walnuts)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened granola
- 1 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Key Ingredient: Strawberries
Strawberries contain anthocyanins, an anti-inflammatory compound that has positive effects on metabolism and appetite suppression (2).
Dr. Leo Galland explains that this is partly due to fruit’s ability to stimulate metabolism-boosting hormones and its ability to slow down the digestion of starchy foods to help regulate blood sugar (3).
The berries also surprisingly contain omega-3 fatty acids, which lower your risk of heart attack (4).
Dr. Eric Rimm, associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study that found that eating three or more servings of 1/2 cup strawberries each week could considerably reduce heart attack risk (5).