14 Recipes for Weight Loss Smoothies You Need to Try 

How do Smoothies Help You Lose Weight?

Weight loss smoothies can absolutely be part of a healthy strategy for losing weight but only when done right. It’s easy to sip your way through high sugars and an ever-higher calorie count so make sure to use ingredients that boost energy and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

To make your smoothie more filling, try adding 20 to 30 grams of protein powder for each meal. Protein powders are rich in essential macronutrients. But make sure to choose a brand that has zero sugar and no artificial sweeteners.

When it comes to weight loss, a smoothie isn’t a miracle cure. But, what it can do is provide a nutrient-dense and high protein meal that can support weight loss.

Whether you want breakfast smoothies for weight loss or looking for the best green smoothie recipe, here are some great recipes to incorporate into your daily routine.

1. Green Machine Smoothie

Green smoothies for weight loss are an excellent way to get a ton of nutrients into your body through a straw.

Experts suggest that we need to be eating five to seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day and smoothies are a great way to get the servings you need. This green smoothie for weight loss is also 100% vegan.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 tsp spirulina
• 1 scoop of vegan protein powder (optional)
• ⅓ cup strawberries
• 1 banana

2. Berry and Chia Smoothie

The smoothie is a nutrient powerhouse with the Greek yogurt making it more filling, stopping you from snacking throughout the day. A simple smoothie with plenty of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Chia seeds have been shown to beneficially affect cholesterol levels, weight loss and increase satiety.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
• ½ cup non-fat dairy milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup of mixed frozen berries
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

3. Spirulina Smoothie

The low-calorie superfood is packed with nutrients. Spirulina is easily digested and absorbed into the body and may help with weight loss. One study found that overweight people who regularly ate spirulina for three months showed improvement in their body mass index.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp spirulina
• ½ cup coconut water
• ½ cup cashew milk

4. Banana and Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

When it comes to breakfast smoothies, oatmeal is a great ingredient to include. It’s rich in fiber and delivers slow-release energy to keep you feeling energetic. Bananas are a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Why not add a drizzle of honey or agave to finish off your smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk or cashew milk (unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp almond butter or peanut butter
• ½ cup oats
• 1 banana
• A drizzle of honey or agave (optional)

5. Spinach, Avocado, and Flax Smoothie

The avocado in this smoothie makes it ideal as a meal replacement. The smoothie can either be completely vegan or using non-fat dairy milk.

Ingredients:

• ½ pitted avocado
• ½ cup fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 cup of non-fat dairy milk or plant-based milk (unsweetened)
• 1 large ripe banana
• ½ – 1 tbsp peanut butter

6. Kale Smoothie

Kale has a low-calorie content and is a good source of vitamin C. Add some berries to the smoothie for a kick of antioxidants. If possible, always try and using fresh ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh kale
• 2 tsp honey or agave
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup of berries (cherries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

7. Carrot and Mango Smoothie

This delicious blend of fruits and vegetables provides a rich and creamy treat. Full of vitamin C, fiber, vitamin A and antioxidants, this smoothie is perfect for breakfast or lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ cup chopped carrot
• ½ cup mango (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup of water

8. Banana and Nut Smoothie

The combination of the banana and nut produces a creamy and tasty mixture that’s rich in protein with plenty of healthy fats. If you’re craving the nostalgic taste of peanut butter and jelly, why not add some berries like strawberries to the mix.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

9. Glowing Green Smoothie

This is the perfect recipe to start your day and includes everything you need to give yourself a boost. The avocado gives you a healthy dose of fats and the protein powder helps you feel fuller for longer while providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh spinach
• ½ cup fresh kale
• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1 ½ oz sliced avocado
• 1 tbsp ground chia seeds
• 1 cup of almond milk or hemp seed milk (unsweetened)

10. Pumpkin and Cinnamon Smoothie

Pumpkins contain an antioxidant known as beta-carotene, which is what gives them their beautiful orange color. It may help to slow down aging and is a good source of vitamin C and fiber. Adding cinnamon gives it that extra sweet taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ banana

11. Berry and Peanut Butter Smoothie

Another twist on peanut butter and jelly, this is a great weight loss smoothie due to its high protein and fiber content, healthy fats and nutritious berries. Depending on how thick you like your smoothies to be, feel free to adjust the amount of liquid.

PRO TIP: make it thicker and add it to your morning oatmeal!

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop protein powder (vanilla or unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp oats
• 1 cup oat or rice milk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
• 1 cup frozen berries

12. Spinach and Berry Smoothie

Berries are packed with antioxidants that help to fight inflammation as well as being a good source of vitamin C. This smoothie is low in sugar and high in fiber. You can swap the banana out for half an avocado if you want to reduce the fruit sugars.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, cherries, strawberries, etc.)
• 1 large ripe banana
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup fresh spinach

13. Peaches and Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

This peaches and oatmeal smoothie is a fantastic option for breakfast. It’s high in protein and contains oatmeal, which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of peach slices (fresh or frozen)
• ½ cup of oatmeal
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of greek yogurt on non-dairy yogurt (unsweetened)
• 1 cup of almond milk

14. Chocolate and Banana Smoothie

This weight loss smoothie is packed full of protein and tastes great. On the sweeter side, use almond butter and almond milk to bulk the smoothie out with a source of natural protein. You can add a small amount of fat-free chocolate syrup or agave to add to the taste. This smoothie is a great option before a workout and is sure to give you a boost in energy.

Ingredients:

• 1 large banana
• 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp fat-free chocolate syrup or agave (optional)

FAQ

How Many Smoothies a Day for Weight Loss?

Not all smoothies are created equal and some can actually contain more calories than you would eat in a typical meal. In order to lose weight, the smoothie you’re drinking needs to contain fewer calories than the meal it’s replacing.

Weight loss is a multi-faceted process and doing one thing isn’t enough to lose weight in a healthy and manageable way. There are several cleanse diets where you replace your meals with three smoothies each day for several days however this isn’t something you can stick to long-term.

One, or occasional, two smoothies a day in replacement of a meal is recommended for gradual weight loss.

How to Make Smoothies for Weight Loss?

Make sure you choose ingredients that have everything you need in so plenty of lean protein, high-fiber carbs, and healthy fats. Avoid smoothies with a high-sugar content as this won’t help with your weight loss goals.

Add all the ingredients to a liquid processor, blend together and enjoy. Depending on how powerful your liquid processor is you may need thin out your smoothies with a little liquid such as non-fat dairy or plant-based milk.

Bottom Line

Smoothies can be the easiest and tastiest way to a healthier lifestyle. It quickly becomes a favorite part of the morning routine and is a perfect way to include more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

But, is it important to pay attention to the ingredients you’re adding. Making yourself a sugary smoothie or even having a few of those per day can do more harm than good.