Coconut Cashew Protein Smoothie
The one smoothie that Kelly recommends for healthy weight loss and preventing feeling bloated and sluggish is her coconut cashew protein smoothie. This recipe, she says, "contains lots of protein and healthy fats that stabilize blood sugar levels and release glucagon, a fat-burning hormone that aids weight loss."
For this smoothie, you need one or two bananas, cashew butter, coconut milk and some protein powder such as spirulina. This protein powder, Kelly notes, has "almost zero calories and provides your body with essential nutrients." It is also easily digestible and absorbable, which she explains "helps your body burn more calories in a day and build lean muscles." Kelly also points out that you can add chia seeds to your smoothie for "maintaining your satiety and avoiding unnecessary eating and bloating, as they are loaded with lots of fiber."
Ingredients:
- 1-2 bananas
- 1/4 cup cashew butter
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 serving protein powder (preferablly spirulina)
- chia seeds (optional)
Overall, to lose weight healthily and effectively while drinking smoothies, Kelly urges to "make sure you are putting an adequate amount of fruits, vegetables, seeds or nuts, yogurt and protein powder in your smoothie, as all of these ingredients are "enough to make up a healthy meal."
A healthy smoothie, Kelly concludes, should be a "rich source of protein and energy that keeps you feeling fuller and help curb unhealthy snacking later in the day." A protein is a complex molecule that takes "longer to break down" and so, it "provides long-lasting energy for the day and does not make you feel sluggish." Noted!