Making a smoothie is a good idea, but be aware of these pitfalls when you start blending. Only by taking these 5 pitfalls into account can you optimally enjoy all the benefits of this delicious drink.
A smoothie is always a healthy choice, right? A delicious glass with lots of blended fruit and vegetables, after all, there is not much wrong with that. Unfortunately, that's not entirely true… Of course, a nice smoothie can bring many benefits – hello vitamins! – but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to get started with the blender enthusiastically and continue to enjoy the benefits of your drink.
Read also :’10 ideas for healthy snacks’
It may look nice, such a large glass filled with a colored smoothie, but a glass that is too large means that you easily eat more than you realize. A smoothie often contains a pound or more of fruits and vegetables — more than you would eat raw. As a result, the calories, carbohydrates and sugars also add up. A good serving size should be about 230 milliliters. Of course, that doesn't mean you should just rinse the rest of your smoothie down the sink:if you freeze the rest, you can enjoy it again later. Blend and freeze, it is .
Products with a low calorie content can also add up to a considerable calorie bomb. In addition, many smoothies contain ingredients such as yogurt, sweeteners or even ice cream, which also entail quite a few calories. A smoothie can easily contain between 300 and 600 calories per serving (a bottle often contains several servings). Also keep an eye out for smoothies with ingredients like nut butter, coconut oil and avocado – these products also have a high calorie content.
Your taste buds are your best advisors when it comes to smoothies:if it tastes really sweet, it's probably full of sugars. Especially the smoothies that you can buy ready-made in the store often contain a lot of added sugars, such as white sugar, honey or (maple) syrup. Too much sugar can lead to fatigue and bad mood. Therefore, make sure that your smoothie contains a large portion of vegetables, such as cauliflower, spinach, cucumber and zucchini, to balance the sugars.
If you consume too much sugar at once, you have a chance of a sugar rush † As a result, you get tired and you are hungry again a few hours later. The lack of proteins and healthy fats also contributes to this. The solution? Eat slower. Using a spoon instead of a straw not only slows you down but also forces you to sit down and "chew" your food. This releases a hormone in your body that makes you feel full. Adding healthy fats and proteins also ensures that you stay full longer after eating your smoothie. An extra portion of fiber, in the form of hemp seed, chia seed or linseed, can also help you stay satiated for longer.
Your body can handle sugar better at certain times. The more active you are, the better your body can process and absorb sugar. As a result, your blood sugar level rises less and you will not be so tired and hungry afterwards. Many people drink a smoothie in the morning or as a replacement for a meal, but it is actually best to enjoy your smoothie after a workout. Liquids are more easily digested than solid foods, making a smoothie perfect for after a workout. After all, you quickly need carbohydrates, proteins and sugar to recover. If you do want to use it as a meal replacement, take it during the part of the day when you are most active to reap the most benefits.
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