Smoothies are a great choice for a variety of reasons. They are fast, easy, and can be made however you want. We can also take them with us while we are out and about throughout the day. In addition to this, they are full of nutrition if we are following the right steps. Believe it or not, as much as you think smoothies are straightforward and you can’t go wrong with them for a flatter stomach, there is still one smoothie mistake you should avoid if you want a flatter belly.
We spoke to an expert to find out why you might be drinking smoothies on a regular basis but are still not seeing improvements in the belly area. Mahmoud Abdelaziz, pharmacist specializing in health and wellness from pharmacistmo.com, revealed to us that the one smoothie mistake you should try to avoid this summer if you want a flatter belly is the excessive addition of high-calorie ingredients or sweeteners. Read more on this below.
High Calorie Ingredients And Sweeteners
Abdelaziz explains to us why and how this one mistake can be easily overlooked when preparing smoothies. He says, "This mistake hinders achieving a flatter belly because excessive calorie intake can lead to weight gain and the accumulation of abdominal fat. When smoothies are loaded with high-calorie ingredients or sweeteners like excessive amounts of fruits, sweetened yogurts, syrups, or added sugars, they can contribute to an energy surplus, making it challenging to achieve a flatter belly."
In order to avoid making this mistake, Abdelaziz gives us several ways to prevent it. "Focus on incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients into your smoothies, including leafy greens, low-sugar fruits like berries, unsweetened plant-based or Greek yogurts, and sources of healthy fats like avocado or nut butters. Pay attention to the quantity of ingredients you're adding to your smoothie," he states. He also notes that even healthy ingredients can contribute to excess calories if consumed in large quantities.
He gives us healthier alternatives that include various options next time you're out shopping for smoothie ingredients, "Read labels carefully and avoid using sweetened yogurts, syrups, or juices in your smoothies. Instead, opt for unsweetened versions or use natural sweeteners like dates or a small amount of honey if needed," he adds.
Overall, you should keep in mind these main tips: balancing ingredients, portion sizes, looking out for added sugars, watching what types of liquids you're adding, and focusing on protein and fiber. If you stick to these tips, achieving a flatter belly with some help from smoothies should be an easy challenge.
Tips On Avoiding Smoothie Mistakes
Abdelaziz continues by giving some additional tips you can try experimenting with in your smoothies to see what you like while also promoting a flatter belly. "Instead of using high-sugar fruits like bananas or pineapples in large quantities, opt for lower-sugar options like berries, kiwi, or citrus fruits. These provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while keeping the overall sugar content lower. Adding a handful of spinach, kale, or other leafy greens to your smoothies can provide valuable nutrients without adding excessive calories," Abdelaziz states.
One main high-calorie smoothie ingredient that many people don't think twice about is the type of liquid we are adding to get the proper consistency. "Instead of using large amounts of high-fat ingredients like coconut milk or full-fat dairy, incorporate healthier fats such as a quarter of an avocado, a tablespoon of nut butter, or a teaspoon of coconut oil. These add richness and flavor without going overboard on calories. Instead of using juice or sweetened beverages as the liquid base for your smoothie, consider using herbal teas or plain water. This can reduce unnecessary calories and added sugars," Abdelaziz recommends.
He suggests we go for options like whey, pea, hemp, or brown rice protein instead of unhealthy protein powders packed with sugars and high calories. See which healthy alternative suits your dietary preference the most and consistently stick to that.
The Bottom Line
By adding ingredients such as low-sugar fruits, incorporating leafy greens, healthy fats, water, herbal teas, and protein powders, we avoid making a common mistake, which will continue to promote a flatter stomach this summer. Smoothies can still be a great option to get some of the essential nutrients all at once, and with these helpful tips, we're sure you'll see great results for your overall health and, of course, your midsection.
