5 Ingredients That You Should Add to Your Next Smoothie

Making healthy smoothies can be a great part of a healthier lifestyle and weight loss efforts? Here are 5 ingredients that you should add to your smoothie that will compliment you goals.

Oatmeal

There are two main reasons to add oatmeal to your smoothie. From a practical standpoint, oatmeal has a very neutral taste and can be used with any other flavor to thicken a smoothie into a creamy mix without lessening the flavor you desire. Oatmeal is also a natural source of fiber, manganese, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc – all essential elements for a healthy body. There have also been numerous studies done that show that a diet with oatmeal in it can boost the immune system and reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. Oatmeal is considered to be one of the most heart healthy foods you can eat. For those looking to lose weight, oatmeal is essential. It is filling and will prevent you from feeling the hunger pangs that tend to lead to cheating on your diet.

Raw Honey

Adding raw honey is a delicious way to sweeten your smoothies. This unheated, unpasteurized alkaline sweetener contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Because it contains bee pollen, it can help some allergy sufferers. antibacterial properties  Use moderation and keep calories in mind because it’s still a sweetener.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, applying raw honey to infected wounds can reduce redness and swelling as well as reducing healing time from bacterial infection. – Source

Protein powder

Protein powder is an excellent addition to any smoothie. It can provide you with that extra boost that you need, add just the right amount of thickener to your smoothie so it has a rich creamy texture and it can also provide additional flavoring. Many of the protein powders on the market are also fortified with additional vitamins and minerals which is another bonus to adding them in. One thing that you want to be careful of is when choosing a flavored powder you should check the sugar content as some of them can go quite high. You don’t have to get a milk-based powder like whey or casein. You will find plant based protein powder made with things like soy, rice or peas too. There is even egg protein powder on the market. Making sure you have adequate protein is essential for weight loss as the process of protein synthesis is what the body uses to consume fat stores, reduce weight and improve your overall appearance.

Fiber powder

Fiber is one of the most important compounds to make sure is present in your diet. Fiber isn’t just about being regular, but it is essential to making sure you can properly digest your food and absorb the nutrients within it. When you make a smoothie, the natural fiber coatings of many fruits are broken down beyond the point of being useful in your diet as you blend the fruit to smoothness. Adding in a unflavored fiber powder or fiber rich foods like flax seed, avocado, almond butter or kale puts the fiber where you need it. In addition to helping you digest food, fiber is essential for fat flushing as it binds to the fat and helps it be removed from the body. Fiber also contributes to a pleasant and long lasting feeling of fullness that will help you stick to your diet and avoid cheating.

Chia Seeds

Many people only know the Chia seed from the Chia pets sold on TV but the plant, and its seeds, are one of the most powerful foodstuffs on Earth. It has been used as a superfood since the time of the Aztecs where it was recognized as a high protein source that was easy to preserve and carry. Now, scientific studies have shown us that Chia is also rich in all the essential amino acids, omega-3 oils, vitamins and minerals that we need to stay healthy. It also has a high fiber content that is necessary for digestion and maintaining a feeling of fullness. The protein contained in the Chia is slow digesting, which means you will avoid the highs and lows in blood sugar that can lead to cravings.