This post has been updated since it was originally published on August 14, 2021.
While there may not be a magic pill you can take to reach your fitness goals or instantly improve your health, there is one thing that can give your diet a big boost: smoothies.
Shakes and smoothies do actually live up to their hype, because they allow you to get the benefits of raw fruits and vegetables in a flavorful way that doesn’t just taste like a salad. And depending on how you make your smoothies, you can reap an array of benefits from boosting your immune system to helping achieve a flat belly.
So we turned to an expert to find out just which ingredients are best to make a flat-belly smoothie. And according to NYC Certified Fitness Trainer Jessica Mazzucco, a healthy smoothie can actually taste really good.
Mazzucco told SheFinds, "Fruits such as cherries, peaches, pineapple, bananas, and blueberries can help you reach your weight loss goals because fruits are high in fiber and nutrients and are a good source of minerals and vitamins.
It is also important to keep an eye out for fiber-rich ingredients that help with weight loss. As Mazzucco told us, "Veggies such as spinach or kale help you feel fuller for longer, and spinach is rich in soluble fiber, which helps with weight loss, and kale has a low energy density which also aids weight loss. Almond butter is high in protein, will fill you up, and is high in B vitamins and magnesium, providing you with more energy to burn at the gym.
And if you're looking to fight inflammation, you can always add a tablespoon of coconut oil to any smoothie recipe. Mazzucco said, "Coconut oil relieves bloating, and studies have found that eating two teaspoons of coconut oil can result in loss of belly fat."
How To Make 3-Ingredient Flat Belly Smoothie
For this cherry coconut smoothie, you will need the following ingredients:
•1 tablespoon of lime juice
•1 cup of coconut water
•2 cups of pitted cherries
Procedure
Combine everything in a blender or food processor and drink. The coconut water in this recipe is also very hydrating and loaded with antioxidants, making it perfect for a hot summer day.
And Mazzucco agrees. She noted, "Cherries help with weight loss because they are a low-calorie food, high in fiber, and make you feel full longer. Coconut water also contains lauric acid, which gives your metabolism a kick start, thus promoting weight loss. In addition, the citric acid in lime juice helps a person store less fat and burn more calories by boosting their metabolism. You can make this smoothie in under five minutes, it is budget-friendly and is great for a hot summer day. "
Other Ingredients You Can Add To Your Smoothie
If you're looking to upgrade your drink, you can definitely add more ingredients that can make it even healthier. According to board certified holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, level 2 BioSignature Modulation Practitioner, and certified personal trainer Jennifer Hanway, "I always use a great quality protein powder to ensure I am proving my body with enough amino acids (the building blocks of protein in the skin) and of course a great quality collagen powder."
She adds, "Avocado is packed full of skin-loving plumping and smoothing healthy fats that also help balance hunger hormones. I use almond milk as it is rich in Vitamin E which is a powerful anti-aging antioxidant."
In terms of the "best milk" to use, Dr. Melina Jampolis, MD, board-certified physician nutrition specialist, suggests coconut milk. She explains, "I often recommend unsweetened coconut milk to patients as it has only 45 calories per cup. Coconut milk is made from water and coconut cream with added vitamins, xantham gum, and guar gum (which are used for thickening and stabilizing)."
Additionally, Dr. Jamie McManus, MD FAAFP and Chair Medical Affairs at Shaklee, shares that regular old dairy milk, preferably non-fat is also a good option. He tells us, "It is an excellent source of branch-chain amino acids, especially leucine which helps preserve muscle mass and metabolism. [As a result], it helps with losing more fat during weight loss."
