Not all Smoothies Are Created Equal
Not all Smoothies Are Created EqualDon’t get me wrong. I think it’s great that more and more healthy options are popping up as an alternative to fast food. It seems that many current fast food places are in a competition to invent the worst sodium and fat laden products they can. Bacon wrapped, double stuffed what?? Extra large?? No thank you! If you find yourself popping into one of the many new smoothie/juice establishments, smart move. But, buyer beware!!! You may think that you are doing yourself a favour by opting for a healthy smoothie, however, you may be calorie bombing your day. Total diet sabotage! Kaboom! Here is an example of one establishment’s protein and greens smoothie. Let’s start with the serving size; a 24 oz serving is in my opinion, too large. This comes in at a whopping: 408 calories, 74 g carbohydrates & 24 grams of sugar. Increased sugar intake can lead to a myriad of health problems, not just weight gain. Your body cannot and should not process that much sugar. At least, the serving does provide 24g of protein and 4.4 g grams of fibre which is a good thing. You can have a 400 calorie MEAL, but it should be a balance of carbohydrates and protein with some healthy fats and dietary fibre. If your goal is to lose weight, the math is simple. It’s not going to happen if your calories in are greater than your calories out. Even a one hour jog will not cover this consumption. If this is your afternoon pick-me-up, you may be doing more harm than good. The problem is that many people, view a smoothie as a snack, not a meal and don’t consider in their daily intake. I’m not saying you should skip these products; just put a little thought into it. You’re already showing your smarts by making a healthier choice. Look at the nutritionals. If you know that it is more than the calories you require for your snack or meal, request a smaller size. Request less fruit juice or even better, request more greens. This will both bring down the sugar and increase the fibre content. Add protein. Protein smoothies are an excellent post workout meal and provide a great vessel to increase your daily protein intake. They are quick and portable and can help you stick to your eating plan. They are also incredibly easy to make at home. Be sure to use a high-quality whey or plant-based protein powder. (I am writing another blog on protein powders) Here is a recipe for one of my go to breakfast smoothies: Berry Green Power Smoothie 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 tablespoon Hemp Seeds 1 cup frozen organic kale 1 cup frozen organic blueberries. 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I use for thickness) 1 cup water Combine all ingredients in a blender and enjoy! 286 calories, 28 grams carbohydrates, 32 grams of protein, 4.3 grams of fat and 38 % of your daily fibre intake.
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