Smoothies are a quick, delicious, and versatile way to nourish your body and support a healthy lifestyle. When tailored with the right ingredients, they can even help boost your metabolism, making weight management and energy balance more attainable.
Incorporating superfoods into your smoothies can enhance their metabolism-boosting power. These nutrient-dense additions are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients that work to rev up your body’s fat-burning engine.
We checked in with health experts to discover three superfoods you should be adding to your smoothies in order to boost your metabolism. According to them, maca, berries, and chia seeds are some of the best additions. Read on to learn more.
1. Benefits of Maca
"Maca, a superfood native to the high mountains of Peru, is rooted in traditional cultures as an ancient health remedy," Krutika Nanavati, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, told us. "With its rich nutty flavor and creamy texture, maca is becoming a popular addition to smoothies for its potential health benefits."
If you're looking for a way to pack more essential nutrients into your diet so that your body can thrive to the best of its ability, Nanavati says that adding maca to your smoothies is a great idea. This superfood packs in a range of helpful vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B1, B2, C, and E, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, and amino acids.
In addition to those great benefits, Nanavati cites maca as a good source of proteins, carbs, and essential fatty acids, which are also crucial to a healthy diet. Incredible!
2. Berries
Berry smoothie, anyone? This tasty fruit is packed with nutrients and incredible health benefits that can help you shed pounds faster and get your body bikini-ready (It’s always a good idea to get a head start!). Luckily, they also taste delicious alongside a range of other smoothie ingredients.
"Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are low in calories and high in antioxidants, making them a great option for weight loss smoothies," nutritionist and personal trainer Mary Sabat tells us. Antioxidants help protect your body from free radical damage that can lead to inflammation, which is one major contributor to weight gain and disease.
Consider stocking up on some frozen berries so that you can easily blend them up when your smoothie craving strikes.
3. Chia Seeds
"Chia seeds are high in fiber and protein, and they can absorb liquid and expand in your stomach, which can help keep you feeling full," she explains.
In addition to smoothies, chia seeds also make a good ingredient for oatmeal or even a yummy chia seed pudding.
READ MORE: The Surprising Fat-Blasting Properties Of Chia Seeds
