C.J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
Should You Be Drinking More Smoothies?
Are smoothies the answer to a healthy diet? Or are they more likely to make you gain weight? This post looks into the pros and cons of smoothies, so that you can determine whether you need more in your diet. You'll also get several healthy smoothie recipes created by us at Carolyn’s Blooming Creations! Read on to learn more!
What are the health benefits of smoothies?
Layered smoothies add a fun look to the drink
Smoothies are a tasty way to get more fruit and vegetables into your diet. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that your body needs to perform at its best. These vitamins and minerals can also help boost the immune system and fight inflammation.
Another benefit of smoothies is that they’re easy to digest and good for your gut due to their high fiber and water content. In fact, they can be a great way of cleansing out your digestive system and may help to combat diarrhea and constipation.
Smoothies can be used to replace meals and may help some people to lose weight. Protein can also be added to them to help build muscle. In other words, they can be used to reach a variety of health goals.
Here’s my easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie recipe via my Pinterest page @carolynjbraden:
Are there any downsides to smoothies?
Try adding granola or fresh fruit to smoothie bowls
A downside of smoothies is that they can have a high sugar count due to the amount of fruit in them. Because this is natural sugar, the body is much better at disposing of excess amounts, so it’s less likely to be stored as fat. However, smoothies may still spike blood sugar levels, which may not be healthy for those already on the edge of developing diabetes.
See my favorite smoothie creation below from our Pinterest page “Carolyn Braden” or get the recipe directly by clicking here.
Some people also report not feeling as satisfied after a smoothie as they do a solid meal, despite both providing similar energy levels. As a result, some people still crave food after having a smoothie. Unless you can fight this craving, you may find that smoothies are not a worthwhile meal replacement strategy.
Healthy smoothies vs unhealthy smoothies
Blackberry smoothie shots
The healthiness of a smoothie depends very much on what you put in it. Some people reduce the healthiness of their smoothie by adding extra sugar, honey or cream. If you are going to add anything into a smoothie beyond fruit and vegetables, you are best off sticking to healthy ingredients like nuts and seeds. Certain combos or fruit and vegetables may be better for reducing sugar content.
Making your own smoothies can be cheaper and healthier
Making your own smoothies is often the healthiest solution, because you can choose exactly what goes into your smoothie. You can find lots of healthy smoothie recipes on this blog.
If you love this article, we know you’ll love this one too: Blue Butterfly Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Holiday Pomegranate and Cranberry Smoothie Idea
When it comes to store-bought smoothies and smoothie bars, you need to be careful as to which ones you buy as some will have added sugar and preservatives and other unwanted ingredients. It’s best to stick to brands that have long been renowned for being healthy such as Smoothie King, as this Smoothie King history shows. Avoid smoothies from fast food chains that contain a lot of dairy - they’re more likely to be like milkshakes.
Should you be drinking more smoothies?
Smoothies are an ideal way to get more fruit and veg into your diet if you don’t consume a lot. And they can be used to lose weight and improve general health providing that you watch what’s in them.
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.