5 DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Smoothies typically get a healthy rep—and some should. They're a super-convenient way to slurp down major nutrients on the go. How would you otherwise be able to eat that big bundle of kale or spinach in the car? But others, well, they can be nothing more than sugar bombs and milk shakes in disguise. (It's true; have you read our story on the worst fast-food smoothies?) Even DIY blends can go terribly wrong—add a little of this and a little of that, and before you know it, you've ratcheted up the calories to Big Mac status, which could seriously sabotage your weight loss efforts.

Lucky for you, Tess Masters, the queen of smoothies and creator of the popular blog The Blender Girl, has just published a new book called The Blender Girl Smoothies. Here, we bring you 5 of our super-healthy weight loss smoothies; all clock in at under 200 calories, keep sugar under control, and are packed with nutrients.

Apple Alkalaid

Serves: 2

½ c coconut water or water
2 green apples, skin on, cored and roughly chopped (grated, if using a conventional blender)
1 c loosely packed baby spinach
1 med lemon, peeled, seeded, and quartered
½ med cucumber, chopped
1 tsp minced ginger
10 drops alcohol-free liquid stevia, optional
1 c ice cubes

Optional boosters:

Pinch of cayenne pepper
½ tsp wheatgrass powder
1 Tbsp chia seeds

Throw all of the ingredients (except the ice cubes) into your blender and blast on high for about 1 minute, until smooth. Add the ice and blast for a few seconds more, until smooth and chilled.

NUTRITION (per serving) 115 cal, 1 g pro, 30 g carb, 5 g fiber, 20 g sugar, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 19 mg sodium

Apricot Ammunition

Serves: 2

1½ c coconut water or water
4 med apricots, pitted and chopped
1 tsp coconut nectar or pure maple syrup, plus more to taste
2 c frozen peaches

Optional boosters: 

⅛ tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp camu powder 
1 Tbsp vanilla protein powder

Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blast on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. Tweak sweetener to taste.

NUTRITION (per serving) 104 cal, 2 g pro, 25 g carb, 3 g fiber, 21 g sugar, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 8 mg sodium

Basil Melon Mania

Serves: 2

4 c chopped and chilled ripe honeydew melon
2 Tbsp chopped basil, plus more to taste
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ sm avocado, pitted and peeled
10 drops alcohol-free liquid stevia, optional
Pinch of natural salt
1½ c ice cubes

Optional boosters:
½ tsp wheatgrass powder
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp flaxseed oil

Throw all of the ingredients (except the ice cubes) into your blender and blast on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth. Add the ice cubes and blast for 10 to 20 seconds more, until well combined.

NUTRITION (per serving) 182 cal, 2 g pro, 34 g carb, 5 g fiber, 28 g sugar, 5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 142 mg sodium

Pineapple Salsa Smoothie

Serves: 2

1½ c coconut water or water
1 c firmly packed baby spinach
2 tsp finely chopped red onion, plus more to taste
2 Tbsp chopped cucumber
½ c finely chopped cilantro
1 tsp finely chopped jalapeño chile, plus more to taste
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more to taste

¼ tsp finely grated lime zest
¼ tsp natural salt
3 c frozen pineapple

Optional boosters:
1 tsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp wheatgrass powder
⅛ tsp ground turmeric

Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blast on high for about 1 minute, until smooth and creamy. Tweak flavors to taste (you may want more onion, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, or sweetener, depending on the ripeness of your pineapple).

Rosemary Melonade

Serves: 2

3 c chopped seedless watermelon, chilled
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 lemon, peeled and seeded
1½ tsp finely chopped rosemary
½ c frozen pineapple
¼ c frozen strawberries

5 drops alcohol-free liquid stevia, optional

Optional boosters:
½ c frozen raw cauliflower florets
½ tsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
¼ tsp finely chopped jalapeño chile

Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blast on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until well combined.

NUTRITION(per serving) 115 cal, 2 g pro, 29 g carb, 3 g fiber, 21 g sugar, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 4 mg sodium

Source: thescienceofeating.com