These healthy smoothie recipes are great for weight loss, and they taste great too! These are the best smoothie recipes with lots of protein and simple, real ingredients!
During college I used to order a smoothie from our campus smoothie bar almost every day. Like many people, I assumed that they were healthy and good for weight loss.
Then I read the ingredients….and WOW! Some of those supposedly “healthy” smoothies contained up to 800 calories each.
Lesson learned: all smoothies are not created equal and they are definitely not all good for you!
The best way to find good smoothies for weight loss or to provide your body with lots of real nutritional benefits is to make them yourself. That way you know exactly what is inside your glass!
The following smoothies are our personal favorites — they’re tried and tested — not only are they healthy, but they taste amazing too!
How to Use Smoothies for Weight Loss
When I enjoy a smoothie, I do so in place of breakfast (these smoothies all have lots of nutritional goodness to provide energy to start your day) or as a healthy snack.
We tried to include a variety of different smoothies to fit in with a variety of eating styles and diets – from low calorie to high protein. Every smoothie recipe on the list might not work for you, but hopefully you’ll find plenty of inspiration!
For example, if you’re following a low-calorie diet, the rich paleo smoothies might eat up a large chunk of your daily allotment. However, on a paleo diet you don’t usually count calories, so it would be a perfect fit in that case!
The key is to find a smoothie that fits your specific dietary needs. I’ve tried to make it easy for you by highlighting what each smoothie recipe below offers with “key benefits” listed.
Our Favorite Smoothie Essentials:
Before you get started, make sure you have all the tools you need for making the perfect smoothie!
For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to products we love and use; read our full disclosure policy here.
- High-powered blender — We went through a couple cheapie blenders before we finally splurged on a Vitamix. It’s an investment, but they last practically forever and work SO much better than anything else. You can save a LOT of money buying a certified refurbished Vitamix like we did.
- Protein powder — A quick scoop of protein powder adds a boost to any smoothie, and some of them even provide an extra creamy texture and flavor. Our favorites include Vega plant-based protein powder (my fav), Healthy Height for kids (the girls love it), and Dymatize Elite Whey Protein (my husband’s choice).
- Chia seeds — Another quick way to add protein and nutrition to your smoothie! Flax seeds and hemp seeds are other options that work well too.
- Smoothie Preserving Travel Bottle — White at home we often serve our smoothies in mason jars, an insulated travel bottle is great for on-the-go refreshments.
- Frozen Fruit — We love to try different kinds of fresh fruits when they’re in season, but it’s always helpful to keep a few varieties of frozen fruit in the freezer so we can make smoothies anytime.
- Natural Sweeteners — Whenever possible we stick to natural sweeteners such as honey, because the body knows what they are and can process them. Artificial sweeteners can be hyper-sweet and actually make the body crave more sweet stuff!
- Ice Cubes — Keep the freezer stocked so you’re always ready to go!
Be sure to bookmark this list of our favorite smoothies for weight loss to try them all!
13 Best Smoothie Recipes (That Taste Good Too!)
Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie — Oatmeal in a smoothie?! Believe it! We started with a classic strawberry banana smoothie and added whole grain rolled oats. The oats provide fiber to keep you feeling full longer, this fruity oatmeal smoothie is also super creamy. It’s also easy to make with only 5 ingredients!
Key Benefits: Good source of calcium, fiber to keep you feeling full longer
Protein Source: Greek Yogurt
Charcoal Detox Smoothie — Believe it or not, this jet-black smoothie tastes like tropical paradise, with just the right amount of sweetness. Charcoal is known for its cleansing and detoxing benefits, and the fruits provide antioxidants, potassium, and immune system support.
Key benefits: detox/cleansing
Protein source:Â Add vegan protein powder for a plant-based boost.
Green Protein Smoothie — This is a green smoothie that actually tastes GOOD! Not just good, but amazing really! This is one of my favorite smoothie recipes ever because it is super creamy that it tastes like a milkshake, but it’s actually a full serving of veggies. Who knew spinach could taste THIS good?! Gluten free, dairy free, and free from refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Plus, 15 grams of protein per serving!
Key benefits: high protein, nutritional support, lots of vitamins and minerals
Protein sources:Â hemp protein powder, chia seeds
Strawberry Collagen Smoothie — Enjoy the collagen-boosting benefits of bone broth, without having to actually drink bone broth! This strawberry protein smoothie tastes like dessert, but there is zero added sugar. It’s sweetened naturally with mangos and pineapples! Besides tasting fabulous, this super smoothie is full of vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein and fiber. Your body and skin will feel satisfied and thank you! Bonus: only 150 calories per glass.
Key benefits:Â nutritional support, collagen, low calorie
Protein source: collagen protein powder
Paleo Pina Colada Smoothie — Enjoy a taste of the tropics with this gorgeous piña colada smoothie, a blend of sweet pineapple and creamy coconut milk that’s naturally sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. Loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals too. While it’s not necessarily a low-calorie drink, it fits perfectly into the Paleo plan (no counting calories necessary!)
Key benefits: nutritional support, Paleo diet friendly, high protein
Protein sources: protein powder, coconut
Very Berry Smoothie Bowl — Enjoy all the benefits of a healthy smoothie in this beautiful breakfast bowl! Serving your smoothie as a bowl allows you to add all sorts of nutritious and tasty toppings, such as fresh strawberries, blueberries, nuts, or even granola. This is a powerful, protein-packed way to start the day!
Key Benefits: Multiple sources of protein and a full serving of fruit
Protein Sources: Hemp seeds, chia seeds, nut butter
Vegan Berry Beet Smoothie — A true superfood smoothie with noticeable detoxing effects! Beets contain antioxidants like betaine and pectin, which help remove and clear toxins from the liver and body. There are so many delicious fruits and veggies here that provide vitamins and minerals for a healthy boost. This is a bold tasting smoothie that’s a vibrant pink color…you can see and taste all the fabulous nutritional veggies!
Key benefits: detox/cleansing
Protein source: Add vegan protein powder for a plant-based boost
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie — You’ll find two different sources of protein in this peanut butter smoothie, so it’s perfect for re-feuling after a hard workout, or as a breakfast smoothie. Plus it tastes decadent, so you feel satisfied like you’re getting a real treat!
Key benefits: high protein
Protein sources: Greek yogurt, peanut butter
Mermaid Smoothie Bowl — This kid-friendly smoothie bowl is a blueberry smoothie, with added goodies to provide plenty of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and more! Plus, it looks pretty!
Key Benefits: Sweet fruit flavor that kids love
Protein Source: Chia seeds and cashew butter
Green Pumpkin Smoothie — This green smoothie might not look beautiful, but it is a jar full of superfoods! Real pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with fiber, Vitamin A, and phytosterols (which may prevent cancer). Pumpkin also provides healthy carbohydrates (energy) without a sugar buzz. It provides energy without a spike in blood sugar level. There’s also fresh ginger, which is said to be a mood-booster, as well as calcium-packed kale.
Key benefits: nutritional support, energy
Protein source: Add your favorite protein powder or even chia seeds for a protein punch!
Beets & Greens Smoothie — Beets are loaded with nutrients, touted as miracle food with benefits ranging from increasing your sex drive to curing cancer. This smoothie is a vibrant color, frothy, and delicious – it’s great for your skin too!
Key benefits: nutritional support, high protein
Protein source: egg
Healthy Peaches & Cream Smoothie —Â This breakfast smoothie is full of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, protein and fiber, all of which combine to provide lasting energy and make you feel satisfied longer. Plus it’s kid-approved!
Key benefits: high protein, energy
Protein source: Chia seeds
Tropical Detox Smoothie — This tropical smoothie is packed with nutrients! This bright blend of citrus juices provides tons of Vitamin C, plus omega-3’s, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, protein and fiber – to name a few. If you love oranges, skip the sugar-laden orange juice and make this healthy orange smoothie instead! Fun Fact: the real “secret” is turmeric, which offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neural-boosting properties.
Key benefits: detox/cleansing, high protein
Protein source: Chia seeds
What are your favorite smoothie ingredients or smoothie making tools? Share your tips in the comments below!
*Disclaimer: This post is based on my own experience; I am not a medical professional. While we love these recipes and incorporate them into our own healthy lifestyle, we cannot guarantee weight loss results for anyone else.
If you love these delicious smoothie recipes, be sure to try our healthy Fruit Infused Water too:
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