Smoothies for weight loss?

[Belle Du Jour]

Anyone use smoothies to lose weight? I'm drinking them for breakfast. I make mine with a cup of 1% milk, 5 frozen strawberries, and a banana. It can't be more than 200 calories, and it's nutritionally good for me! And it's so huge that it fills me up.

I want to replace a few breakfasts a week with smoothies. Do I need to add something else (i.e. protein powder or something)?

[mkstar826]

I would add healthy fat to it. I use ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil in my smoothies. Or you could just eat a handful of unsalted mixed nuts while you're drinking.

[Belle Du Jour]

Can you just break open a flaxseed capsule and pour it in? I hate swallowing those big pills!

[mkstar826]

i would think that would work :)

[Happy2BNappy]

I would add healthy fat to it. I use ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil in my smoothies. Or you could just eat a handful of unsalted mixed nuts while you're drinking.


I read somewhere that the pills are not as potent as the actual liquid of flaxseed oil. So I would suggest that you buy the actual liquid. I got mine at Whole Foods (I am sure any vitamin store carries it). The calorie content is kinda high, but it is a "good fat" If you work out, I would suggest putting some sort of protein powder mixture in it to help your body burn fat.

[Neroli]

I get fresh flaxseeds from the heath food store and ground them up as needed (in a coffee grinder, about $12 at walmart -- I have 2, one for coffee and one for flaxseeds). It's less calories, cheaper, fresher and tastier than the actual oil and healther, IMO, then the pill -- hey, I much rather EAT my nutrients rather than take a pill . . .

Anywho, when ground, the seeds release the oils and are great on cold hot cereal (I put on may daly oatmeal), in protein shakes or when I'm really lazy, just stirred up in a glass of water. I ground up enough to last about a week at a time because once ground, better to consume within week or so to obtain full potency and nutrients.

Also, to boost the nutrient content as well as *bulk* of your smoothie (without adding calories), definitely include protein power and brewer's yeast. My protein shakes base ingredients are: soy milk, protein powder, brewer's yeast and ground flaxseeds. I usually skip the fruit if I'm REALLY trying to lose . . . but if I have a sweet tooth, then I'll add fruit of choice (bananas and strawberries are my usual) and sometimes honey or mable syrup . . .