The Best Green Smoothies to Maximize Belly Fat Loss

Smoothies have become a staple for many. They work as a nutritious breakfast, a light meal, or a tasty snack in between. According to the Mayo Clinic, by including vegetables, ice cubes, and water in your smoothie, you’ll enjoy a healthy sip with fewer calories and more liquid, making it an ideal choice if you’re watching your weight.

Fruit smoothies are naturally sweet, so mixing one up is the perfect opportunity to sneak in a pile of hidden veggies that, most of the time, you won’t even taste. Want recipe ideas? Eat this, not that! chatted with Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLECaward-winning dietitian, book author and recipe developer, member of our Medical Expert Council, to discover the best green smoothies to maximize your belly fat loss.

How can green smoothies maximize belly fat loss?

Green smoothies can help speed up abdominal fat loss in a number of ways.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Manaker tells us, “Drinking green smoothies can help you eat vegetables, which are low-calorie foods with natural fiber to help promote satiety. No need to drink a green smoothie every day. But in a pinch, enjoying it can help you meet your vegetable needs and support weight management goals.”

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics discovered a link between vegetable consumption and decreased visceral fat (as well as liver fat). The best part? You can reap the rewards even by eating vegetables in small amounts.

Another study published in the Nutrition review fiber associated with weight loss, which we know vegetables are full of. For example, a medium-sized avocado typically contains between 10 and 13 grams of fiber.

Plus, the additional ingredients you fill your smoothie with have their own benefits as well. A medium-sized banana contains just over 3 grams of fiber, and it’s an excellent source of potassium. Additionally, research shows that eating blackberries can significantly increase your insulin sensitivity and fat oxidation.

RELATED: Eat These High-Fiber Snacks Every Day to Lose Weight, Dietitian Says.

What ingredients should you include in your green smoothies that blast belly fat?

There are ingredients you can find in the freezer aisle ready to go that are loaded with health benefits! It can be a real saving grace when it comes to whipping up a smoothie on busy days. Manaker adds, “Leto Foods greens are made with real frozen greens along with avocado and other nutritious ingredients. Although formulated for pregnancy support, they are suitable for anyone who wants a delicious green smoothie without any prep work.

Here are two of Manaker’s two favorite green smoothies for maximizing belly fat loss.

Spinach, banana and berry smoothie

This refreshing smoothie will please every morning in your home. This recipe makes a simple drink that is beyond satisfying and low in calories. According to Manaker, “It’s a great choice to prepare for when trying to shed a few pounds.”

To make it, combine the ingredients below, then sip, sip, hooray!

• 1 handful of spinach
• ½ banana
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1 tablespoon of protein powder
• ½ cup almond milk

Spinach, pineapple, avocado and celery juice smoothie

The golden combination of fiber, healthy fats, and protein in this smoothie can help keep you full for an extended period of time, aiding your long-term weight loss goals. Manaker explains that the healthy fats you feed with avocado can also prevent chronic inflammation.

• 1 cup spinach
• ¼ cup diced avocado
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• ¼ cup celery juice
• 1 tbsp mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon of protein powder

Alexa Mellardo