What Makes Meal Replacement Smoothie A Better Choice?
A meal replacement smoothie has come down to becoming a trendy choice of a large chunk of fitness enthusiasts. These drinks are high on nutrition and quick to prepare which makes them the ideal match for the fast lifestyle of this generation. We write this article for you to introduce the different aspects of these meal smoothies along with the recipes of some great smoothie meal replacement.
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About meal replacement smoothie
Smoothies are the drinkable food known to be packed with rich nutritional components like vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, good fats, etc. that are sourced from the ingredients that go into their making. Calling these drinks a meal replacement essentially refers to consuming such smoothies that are wholesome enough to provide the right nutrition to the body that is equivalent to that of a full, proper meal.
Smoothies are a better, organic, and cheaper alternative to the store-bought meal replacement supplements. You can stay safe with no risk of any side effects.
Reasons to go for a smoothie meal replacement
Almost every diet plan promises that replacing any meal of the day with a smoothie can help gain several health benefits. Here are some of the advantages of having meal smoothies:
Some different types of smoothies
Several types of meal replacement smoothies focus on different nutritional aspects. Let’s see some of them:
Detox smoothies
These drinks generally aim at the cleansing of the body from the toxins that promote better absorption of nutrients. You can have them in the morning time and on an empty stomach.
Green smoothies
These are made by combining leafy greens mostly and any plain liquid as a base. Lunch or dinner meals can be easily replaced with these.
Protein smoothies
Fruits and vegetables that are protein-rich go into the making of these shakes along with some protein powder if you want to build some muscles. Post-workout meals can be taken in the form of these shakes.
Fruit smoothies
These are mostly consumed to satisfy the sugar cravings and maintain the nutrient supply to the body alongside. You can try numerous fruit combinations to make these smoothie meals for your breakfast or any mid-day snack craving.
Major components of a basic meal replacement smoothie
The basic idea is to make one such smoothie that is not less on nutrients in any manner than a regular sumptuous meal. So let us tell you the basic components of any smoothie.
Liquid
It is the base component and goes first into the blender always. Every smoothie requires a different type of bases though there is no hard rule for that. You can use any of these ingredients for the base- Dairy brought milk, Coconut milk or water, Almond milk, Hemp milk, Flax milk, Regular water, Yogurt
Minerals and Vitamins
These have to be supplied to the body to keep it in shape and plenty of veggies and fruits can do the job. You can literally pick any fruit or vegetable for making a smoothie; let’s see some popular choice though- Bananas, Avocados, Carrots, All types of Berries, Kale, Spinach, Cucumbers, Mangoes, Pears, and the list continues.
Proteins
Around nine proteins are held crucial for the body that can only be provided by a meal or supplement. A lot of natural ingredients contain these amino acids. Some of them are- Quinoa protein, Collagen protein, Pumpkin seed protein, Pea protein, Seeds like flax, hemp, chia, etc.
Fillers or Carbohydrates
These ingredients give you satiety and also improve digestion. You can pick any of these- berries, bananas, oatmeal, etc.
Good fat
You need the fats (not Trans fat) for energy, maintenance of cell structure, and boosted organ functions. Try any of these ingredients - Coconut oil, butter, cream, milk, Nut butter like those of almond, cashew, peanut, Avocado, Eggs, etc.
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A base recipe for making any smoothie
Yes, there are some basic measurements you can follow to basically make any meal replacement smoothie. However, these are not exact measurements and you can refer to specific recipes or play with your flavor preferences.
The recipes are open to experimenting!
10 amazing smoothie meal replacement to try
We are going to give you the names of some great smoothies that you can incorporate in your workout regime to reap different benefits:
The all-green smoothie
Nothing can be better than combining green fruits and vegetables for boosting the metabolism that keeps you geared for the entire day. Blend these ingredients- kale, pear, and spinach with milk or yogurt. Put some honey for making it flavorful.
The all berries meal replacement smoothie
Berries are known as the storehouse of antioxidants and provide the required Vitamins to the body to boost the immunity. Blend strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries with a cup of spinach leaves. You can put some ice later into the blended mix if you plan to consume the drink immediately.
Chocolate smoothie for weight loss
This can be a great shake to try out for boosting metabolism and burning fat simultaneously. These ingredients go into the smoothie- almond milk, baby spinach, banana, almond butter, cocoa powder, hemp hearts, and a pinch of cinnamon. Blend them for a taste blast drink.
The post-workout meal smoothies
This drink is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that will complement your endorphin release. You need to blend these- spinach, mango, orange, baby carrots, orange juice, coconut water, and plain yogurt. Enjoy this smoothie and feel your body gain a fluid flow.
Protein blast meal replacement smoothie
This smoothie is going to boost your immunity levels, supply antioxidants, and Vitamin A to the body. The ingredients used are readily available and promote a fast fat loss when mixed. You need to blend these to make the smoothie- pumpkin puree, banana, some ginger root powder, and vanilla powder, and a dash of cinnamon powder.
The ultimately tropical smoothie
This is the best-balanced meal smoothie that you can try making at home and play with the ingredients list as well. For the basic recipe, mix these- greens, mango, pineapple, flaxseeds, coconut milk, protein powder, and vanilla powder. Churn them until a creamy consistency is achieved and enjoy.
Low-carb protein smoothie
The natural ingredients of this drink make it very low on carbs, rich in potassium, monounsaturated fats, and fiber; thus it can be your ideal breakfast smoothie. This green smoothie can be prepared with these ingredients- avocado, coconut milk, fresh spinach, vanilla/protein/collagen powder, pistachio nuts/ vanilla bean, and water. You can churn the blend with some ice at the last if you like it cool and enjoy.
Carrot smoothie
This shake will provide you with a boost of calcium, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Preparing these smoothies needs these ingredients- carrot juice, frozen pineapple cubes, mango, and kiwi fruits. You can blend these with some ice or just plain water to get a lighter consistency and enjoy the flavorful delight.
Chlorophyll blast smoothie
The color of this meal replacement smoothie comes out to be very appealing and the drink is loaded with antioxidants that help in relieving inflammation. These are the ingredients used to make this smoothie- water, banana, apple, pear, any dark green veggie, lemon, ginger root, chia seeds, and a pinch of cinnamon. You can add more fruits if you want for a more flavor-rich drink.
Nutty smoothie
The nuts that go into this smoothie provide the required fats to the body along with fiber, carbs, and other major nutrients that come from other ingredients. Put these into the blender- banana, plain almond milk, coconut water, walnut pieces, dried dates, and some ice. Have this smoothie to calm down the cravings all day long.
Conclusion
You see how beneficial and wholesome a meal replacement smoothie can be. However, you must first check the nutrient requirement of your body and then plan your smoothie diet accordingly. Once you are ready with the plan, go to the kitchen and try out these recipes.
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