Health

The Worst Ingredients No One Should Be Putting In Their Smoothies Anymore, According To Experts

November 28, 2022 by Marissa Matozzo
shefinds | Health

Whether you’re working to lose weight or just want to eat healthier, looking at your daily sugar intake is key. If you’re a smoothie lover, there are plenty of healthy, natural ingredients you can utilize in your beverage for a well-balanced diet— and on the other hand— there are several you might want to avoid that could lead to energy crashes and weight gain.

We reached out to registered dietitians, nutritionists and health experts for two types of ingredients to avoid if your goal is to make your favorite smoothie even healthier. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Jay Cowin, NNCP, RNT, RNC, CHN, CSNA, registered nutritionist and Director of Formulations at ASYSTEM, Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements, and Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet.

The 125 Best New Beauty Launches Of 2023

1. Table Sugar, Sweeteners & Syrups

If you want to lose weight or prevent weight gain, the "worst possible ingredient you could add to your smoothies is definitely sugar," Cowin says. Too much added sugar, he notes, can not only "impede weight loss goals, but also lead to other health problems like tooth decay, diabetes, and heart disease." Sugar in smoothies can come in the form of "table sugar, syrups," or other artificial sweeteners. To cut down on this, he advises "simply relying on the natural sweeteners found in fruits."
 

Richards suggests trying all-natural monk fruit sweetener instead of any sugary addition to your smoothie. For those that need their drink to be sweet, "monk fruit can be a great option," she says. "Monk fruit extract contains some incredible compounds that are 300-400 times sweeter than cane sugar, but it’s virtually calorie-free," she notes. This, Richards stresses, means it "won’t affect blood sugar levels, and it won’t rot your teeth."

2. Whole Milk & Heavy Cream

Another ingredient you'll want to avoid in your smoothies to help promote optimal gut health is a "high-fat dairy product like whole milk, heavy cream, and ice cream," Cowin explains. While dairy can be a good source of protein and calcium, he acknowledges, it's also "high in saturated fat and calories, which can sabotage your weight loss efforts." Instead, Cowin recommends opting for "low-fat or non-fat dairy products like skim milk or Greek yogurt."

Best agrees, and says that "rather than sweetening your drink with full-fat dairy creamers," its best to "opt for natural sweeteners or plant-based creamers." Some plant-based creamers are "still high in calories, fat and sugar," she warns, so it is "important to still pay attention to the nutrition label." By choosing a plant-based creamer and removing dairy, Best continues, you can help prevent "bloating and inflammation" often caused by milk or cream-based drinks.

 

 

"Consider using honey or cinnamon to flavor your smoothie rather than refined sugars," she suggests. These two ingredients are "natural, anti-inflammatory, and cinnamon can help to boost metabolism and stabilize blood sugar," Best says. "All of which can improve weight loss efforts and reduce bloating," she concludes. Good to know! 

Author:

Staff Writer

Marissa is a Brooklyn-based culture journalist and staff writer at SheFinds, covering edgy celebrity style, timeless beauty trends, lifestyle and entertainment news. Her coverage of indie music, NYC fashion, underground and pop culture is featured in PAPER Magazine, Paste Magazine, The Knockturnal, Bandsintown and more. You can reach her at [email protected]

From Our Partners

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

From Our Partners

Learn more about RevenueStripe...
LOAD MORE
+
LOAD MORE POSTS