9 Ingredients For the Best Weight-Loss Smoothie Recipe

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Smoothies are one of the easiest breakfasts you can make. But if your goal is weight loss, registered dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, author of "The Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen Cookbook," told POPSUGAR, "an all-fruit smoothie wouldn't be the best idea, since it's a large dose of sugar coming at you at one time with not a lot of protein or healthy fats to satiate you or to prevent a huge spike in your blood sugar levels."

In order to create a filling smoothie that fits in your weight loss plan, Leslie suggested this recipe formula:

  • 1 cup fruit: berries are the highest in fiber and antioxidants.
  • 1 cup milk of choice: if using plant-based milk, try getting one with protein like Silk Protein Milk, Ripple (made with pea protein), or unsweetened soy milk.
  • 1 fat of choice: 1/4 avocado; 1 tablespoon nut butter; 1 to 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp seeds; or 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or almond flour.
  • Extra protein: 1 scoop protein powder; try plant-based for added fiber and nutrients.

Registered dietitians Stephanie Clarke, RD, and Willow Jarosh, RD, of C&J Nutrition added that your smoothie should aim to have:

Calories: 300 to 400
Fiber: 5 to 10 grams
Protein: 13 to 20 grams
Carbs: 40 to 60 grams
Healthy fats: 10 to 15 grams
Sugars: 36 grams or less

Sticking to this formula will create a satiating smoothie that ensures you get carbs, protein, and healthy fats. The carbs give you energy, the healthy fats and fiber will keep you full longer, and the protein will sustain your energy. To maximize your weight-loss potential and to increase the protein, healthy fats, and fiber in your recipe, add the following ingredients to your smoothies.

Hemp Seeds
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Hemp Seeds

A source of healthy fats and omega-3s, hemp seeds will also add protein. One 60-calorie tablespoon offers 3.3 grams of protein, 0.8 grams of omega-3s (the daily recommendation is 1.1 grams), 0.7 grams of fiber, and just 0.7 grams of carbs. Also worth noting, hemp seeds offer all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein, so they're a great way to get some healthy, plant-based protein into your smoothie if you're not a fan of protein powder. Try hemp seeds in this banana blueberry hemp seed smoothie.

Flaxseed Meal
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Flaxseed Meal

The key to weight loss is filling up on low-cal foods that are high in fiber to keep you satiated longer. Flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, and when they're ground into flaxseed meal and added to a smoothie, you'll hardly taste them. As a bonus, flax also offers essential omega-3 fatty acids. Try this pumpkin protein smoothie that offers more than 11 grams of fiber.

Leslie said you can also add chia seeds, which are a great source of healthy fats and fiber to keep you satiated. Try this strawberry protein smoothie that includes cottage cheese for the protein source.

Tofu
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Tofu

Getting enough daily protein is a must if you're trying to lose weight, because it satiates hunger and helps you feel full. While protein powder is a great way to increase the protein in your smoothie, silken or soft tofu is another easy plant-based source, Leslie said. It is virtually flavorless and adds an incredible creaminess — you have to taste it to see for yourself.

Here's a smoothie that tastes like a vanilla milkshake made with soft tofu, soy milk, and peanut butter that offers more than 17 grams of protein.

Beans
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Beans

Adding beans to your smoothie seems like a weird idea, but just like tofu, they add a creamy consistency without any flavor. But Leslie said what's really important are the added fiber and protein they offer to keep you full and satisfied all morning long.

Give this blueberry mango kiwi kale smoothie a try, and you'll wonder why you didn't start adding beans to your blender sooner.

Yogurt or Kefir
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Yogurt or Kefir

For the milk option in your smoothie, Leslie suggested adding yogurt (soy or almond if you're dairy-free) or kefir not only for the protein boost, but also for the probiotics.

It's an easy ingredient to add to smoothies and to save even more calories and sugar, go for plain instead of flavored. This almond berry banana yogurt smoothie offers 15 grams of protein.

Avocado
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Avocado

Eating monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) can add to that "I'm full" feeling and avocados are an excellent source that also add hunger-satiating fiber. This clear-skin smoothie is made with ripe avocado, but remember to only add one-quarter of an avocado to your blender if you're trying to lose weight since they're high in calories.

Berries
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Berries

Berries offer tons of fiber and are lower in carbs than most fruits. Try this low-carb high-protein berry smoothie made with blueberries and raspberries. The almost seven grams of fiber will keep that "I'm full" feeling going strong.

Nuts or Nut Butter
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Nuts or Nut Butter

Nuts and nut butters offer protein and healthy fats to make your smoothie more satiating. You can add peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews to your blender, or the nut butters made from them. Seeds like pumpkin and sunflower are also great options.

Try this sweet low-carb raspberry protein smoothie made with almond butter.

Greens
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Greens

To increase the fiber and up the vitamins in your smoothie, throw in a big bunch of baby spinach or kale (fresh or frozen). Added fiber will not only help you stay full, but it can also prevent constipation which won't help you lose weight, but will make your belly look flatter and less bloated.

Mix up this blueberry kale avocado protein smoothie that offers 10 grams of fiber.