10 protein powder smoothie recipes to promote weight loss

Smoothies should not be consumed just because they are delicious. The thick, blended drinks made by combining whole fruits and/or vegetables with water or milk can aid in weight loss. To make it more effective, use protein powder for smoothies. This way, you will get to have a drink packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein, which is important if you want to lose weight. This nutrient may help to keep you full for a longer time, but make sure not to consume too many glasses of smoothies, especially the ones with sweet fruits. They may increase your calorie intake and lead to weight gain.

How does using protein powder for smoothies help with weight loss?

While making smoothies for weight loss, make sure to use less or no sugar. During a study, published in the Canadian Journal Of Physiology And Pharmacology, it was found that when overweight participants drank a protein-based beverage with low sugar, their weight loss improved.

Here’s how using protein powder for smoothies can help you in your weight-loss journey:

• Protein supports muscle repair and growth, which is crucial for maintaining metabolism while losing weight.
• “Protein consumption, including protein powder, slows digestion and helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and preventing overeating,” says nutritionist Smita TG. During an analysis, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a link was found between protein consumption and increased feelings of fullness.
• Use protein powder for smoothies, which are quick to prepare and can pack a variety of vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein in one meal. Drinking a protein- and fibre-based, multi-ingredient beverage before breakfast and lunch can have a positive influence on weight loss efforts, as per a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.
• Balanced smoothies with protein and carbs can provide steady energy. “This can help you stay active and motivated to sweat it out at the gym or home,” says the expert.

Protein powder for smoothies: Best recipes for weight loss

When it comes to the type of protein powder for smoothies, you can pick whey, casein or plant-based options like soy and pea. Try these weight loss recipes with protein powder for smoothies:

1. Berry protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until they become smooth.
• Serve after topping it with a few mixed berries.

2. Green protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 small banana
• 1 scoop unflavoured protein powder
• 1 cup coconut water

Instructions:

1. Blend all the healthy ingredients until you get a smooth drink.
2. Add a few pieces of banana on top of the weight loss drink

3. Peanut butter banana smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 cup almond milk

Instructions:

1. Combine the ingredients in a blender, and blend until creamy and smooth.
2. Garnish it with a few pieces of banana before serving it.

4. Mango ginger protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh mango chunks
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ inch fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
• 1 cup water or almond milk

Instructions:

1. Blend protein powder for smoothies with other ingredients.
2. Add a few pieces of mango to this summer drink.

5. Chocolate avocado smoothie

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe avocado
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions:

1. Blend all the ingredients until you get a creamy drink.
2. Sprinkle the healthy seeds on top of it.

6. Tropical protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup water or coconut water

Instructions:

1. Blend all the ingredients of the smoothie.
2. Put a few pieces of pineapple on top of the beverage.

7. Oats and cinnamon protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder for smoothies
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup almond milk

Instructions:

1. Put oats in a jar, pour milk, and stir well.
2. Cover the jar and keep it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the oats to absorb the liquid.
3. In the morning, blend the overnight oats first.
4. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth then drink up.

8. Coffee protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• ½ banana

Instructions:

1. Mix coffee powder with hot water, and wait for it to cool down.
2. Combine it with the other ingredients and blend until creamy.

9. Beetroot berry protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked beetroot (chopped)
• ½ cup mixed berries
• 1 scoop unflavoured protein powder for smoothies
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Wash beetroot and put it in a container of water then bring to a boil.
2. After boiling it, chop it and wait for it to cool down.
3. Mix it with other ingredients in a blender then serve.

10. Apple cinnamon protein smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 apple (cored and chopped)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder for smoothies
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Instructions:

1. Remove the seeds of the apple and chop it
2. Blend it with other ingredients until you get a healthy smoothie.

Make sure not to use whole milk, as it may lead to weight gain. “Also, some people may experience bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, especially if they are lactose intolerant,” says Smita. That’s why using plant-based milk or water may be a better choice.

While using protein powder for smoothies, choose the high-quality ones. They should be high in protein and low in sugar. Also, maintain a balanced diet by eating whole foods to ensure you don’t experience nutrient deficiencies.