We can probably all agree that bloating is one of the worst things to experience after a filling meal, and that sluggish feeling that comes with it. To prevent this, maintaining a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables is important. We spoke with dietitians and nutritionists who agreed on several key smoothie ingredients that can help your health in the long run and make weight loss so much easier if that, too, is a goal of yours.
Berry Green Power Protein Smoothie & Its Ingredients
Registered dietitian Jamie Adams swears by this high protein, high fiber, and lower calorie smoothie that can help you feel full throughout the day—leading to less snacking (and ultimately helping you meet your weight loss goals).
Its ingredients include 1 cup fresh spinach, 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1/4 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds.
“The 100% plain, unsweetened greek yogurt and chia seeds are excellent whole food sources to help meet your protein needs, without the need for added protein powders,” says Adams. The fiber from the spinach, strawberries, and chia seeds, she says, will energize and help decrease the chance of bloating and feeling sluggish throughout the day.
Nutritionist Lisa Richards points out that chia seeds in particular, (as featured in this smoothie) are an important ingredient for smoothies when trying to lose weight. “My go-to smoothie would include chia seeds, ground preferably,” says Richards.
“Chia is an often overlooked, but exceptionally healthy ingredient to add to your smoothie to make it healthier and provide you with more benefits than just a meal replacement.”
Richards notes that this “superfood” is versatile and packs a lot of nutrition into a small package. These seeds are full of plant-based protein and healthy omega fatty acids, which Richards says is “ideal” for those on a plant-based diet, too.
Overall, when losing weight and looking for healthy smoothie options, it’s hard to beat one with a plethora of healthy, antioxidant-powered, anti-inflammatory ingredients that can prevent bloating later on. Trista Best, registered dietitian, says that “adding a protein-rich smoothie can help boost your weight loss efforts,” and we think this nutritionist and dietitian-approved Berry Green Powder Protein Smoothie is a great one to try this week!
