Are smoothies really good for you? I hear that some smoothies can rival a fast-food meal in calories and saturated fat?
Smoothies and shakes are one of the easiest, fastest ways to get great nutrition. But before you fire up the blender, there are a few things you should know. Here’s what we’re about to cover:
- Does your smoothie contribute to weight gain?
- When is it ok to drink a meal?
- Are you drinking chemicals?
Sugar Bomb’s away!
Sweetened fruit juice, sugary yogurt, lots of fruit, a bit of honey…all of those things contain sugar, and lots of it. Some say that sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet and point to the obesity epidemic as evidence of the effects of sugar. Eek!
Enjoy smoothies, but use water, 100% fruit juice, or unsweetened almond milk to add liquid to a shake mix or your own ingredients. Limit the amount of fruit you use. Add veggies like kale or spinach to add variety and nutrients.
Drink a meal? Really?
I have always struggled with the idea of replacing a meal with a shake. I want to chew my food. I don’t feel satisfied with drinking a meal. There’s something about it that just feels wrong. So I did my research. I found that a “meal replacement shake” just means that it contains all of the macronutrients. (That’s just a big word that refers to three categories…fat, carbohydrates, and protein….all are important for a healthy diet). So a meal replacement shake doesn’t NEED to replace a meal – but if you find the right one, it CAN. Compare that to a protein shake, which contains…well…protein.
Do: Consider a meal replacement shake to supplement your nutrition or help with weight loss. Know the nutritional content.
Don’t: Think that just because you drink a nutrition shake, you can eat whatever you want during the rest of the day. It’s all part of the same picture.
A serving of arsenic, anyone?
Using a powdered shake can be a great way to supplement your nutrition, quickly and easily. You must know the ingredients. There are many products with chemicals and artificial ingredients. Read the ingredient list. Do your research. Not all shakes are created equally.
Do: research your options and know the ingredients before you buy.
Don’t: buy a product that includes chemicals or artificial ingredients.
My recommendation…
Don’t spend your time chopping fruit, just to blend it. Find a meal replacement shake that uses pure, natural ingredients. If it’s a quality product, it will contain more NATURAL ingredients than you’ll have time to add to your blender.
- Use a “meal replacement” shake for the most well-rounded nutrition.
- Use a shake to supplement your nutrition and enhance your health.
- Consider all other foods you eat, in addition to the shake you drink.
- Do your research and know that you’re getting a high quality product.
After being a huge skeptic of shakes, I’ve finally settled on a product that supplements my nutrition, tastes great, and comes from a company I trust. When comparing the nutritional facts, Shakeology comes out on top. Most importantly, it makes a difference I can feel. I see it in my hair and nails, fewer and less severe colds/sick days, more energy and mental clarity, and reduced cravings, just to name a few.
So when you ask, “Are smoothies really good for you?” My answer is that shakes are fast, easy, and offer a critical dose of dense nutrition that is really good for you. And yes, when they are done right, they are good for you and you should feel the difference!