Smoothies are meant to be healthy, filling drinks that deliver a ton of raw nutrients and vitamins into your diet. But they can quickly become sources of too many carbs if not made right. Many smoothie recipes call for bananas to add flavor and consistency, but unfortunately this is the worst fruit you can use in a smoothie.
Bananas are a double-edged sword because they are high in potassium and vitamin C, but they are also loaded with carbs, starch and sugar. Some bananas can have as many as 27 grams of carbs and 14 grams of sugar, which is the same amount of carbs you would get from eating a sandwich on white bread, and more than three times the sugar you would get from white bread.
Carbs and sugar are just about the last thing your smoothie needs, because they make it more difficult to lose weight. If you are already making the effort to add nutrient-rich foods into your drink, you’ll want to avoid adding unnecessary carbs that can slow down weight loss.
Instead of bananas, try adding Greek yogurt to your smoothie as its base. This can help you avoid eating extra sugars, and it doesn’t change the flavor of your drink.