Are There Any Health Benefits To Fruit Smoothies?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Because smoothies are loaded with fruits and vegetables, they also tend to be loaded with fiber. This can help bridge the gap between your normal fiber intake and the USDA’s suggested fiber intake, lowering your risks of chronic illnesses and increasing your overall health.

Are smoothies as healthy as eating fruit?

A:

It’s very likely that you are getting more calories and sugar when you drink a smoothie than when eating whole fruits or vegetables

, said Sarah B. Krieger, a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist who spoke for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a professional trade group.

What are 5 health benefits of drinking fruit smoothies?

  • Increases consumption of fruits and vegetables. …
  • Increases fiber intake. …
  • Can be a meal replacement. …
  • Can provide a nutritional balance of fats, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. …
  • Helps manage food cravings.

What should you not mix in a smoothie?

  1. Fat-free flavored yogurt.
  2. Fruit juice.
  3. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sherbet.
  4. Too much of a good thing.
  5. Added sweeteners.
  6. Canned fruit.

Is frozen fruit healthy?

Depending on the fruit, some may retain more nutrients frozen while others are better fresh. Nutrients in fruit are at their peak right after being picked.

Because fruit is frozen quickly, it retains nutritional value

. If your fresh fruit is truly fresh, the nutrient value may be similar.

Why is blended fruit worse for you?

Blended fruit isn’t nutritionally equivalent to the same fruit left whole, according to some experts. Although, of course, some properties remain present, including soluble fiber,

blending can break down insoluble fiber

.

Is it better to eat fruit whole or blended?

The fibre helps to slow down the speed the fructose is absorbed into your blood stream and can help you feel fuller for longer. This is why it’s better to eat

whole fruit

, rather than fruit in the form of juice or a smoothie.

What happens if you drink smoothies everyday?

Too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

Sugary smoothies can do a real toll on your body and when you drink one every day, you face some very serious long-term side effects. “The side effect to worry about with a daily smoothie is

elevated blood sugar that exceeds healthy limits

.

Do fruit smoothies make you gain weight?

The answer:

probably not

. Unless fruit smoothies are tipping you over your maintenance energy intake, they’re unlikely to lead to weight gain. For the average person, a smoothie with fruit can be part of a balanced, nutritious meal plan.

Does blending fruit destroy nutrients?

Does blending destroy nutrients? Also

no

. Blended fruits and veggies are nutritionally comparable to their whole counterparts. So, if making a smoothie helps you get more produce into your day, then by all means continue doing so!

Why are homemade smoothies bad for you?

Smoothies’ biggest pitfall is

their propensity to contain large quantities of added sugar

. Added sugar reduces the nutrient density of smoothies. Furthermore, routinely consuming too much added sugar may increase your risk of chronic ailments like heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease ( 4 ).

Should you put yogurt in smoothies?


Yogurt is an ideal ingredient for smoothies

because it adds a good amount of protein, which makes it a filling breakfast or snack. Greek yogurt adds a whopping 12 grams of protein per half cup. It also adds live probiotics, which can aid in gut health, as well as calcium and vitamin B-12 (source).

Is yogurt or milk better for a smoothie?

While it’s not considered a liquid,

Greek yogurt is the perfect option if you’re looking to thicken your smoothie and add protein and probiotics

. Containing more protein than milk, this type of yogurt is naturally gluten-free and the probiotics will help your gut stay healthy.

Can you put oatmeal in a smoothie?

The ingredients you will need to make this quick and healthy breakfast smoothie are: Oatmeal. A seriously underrated smoothie ingredient!

Oatmeal is rich in fiber, and it makes smoothies satisfyingly thick and ultra filling.

What fruits can you not put in a smoothie?

Avoid mixing your

watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe and honeydews

with other fruits. Try not to mix acidic fruits, such as grapefruits and strawberries, or sub-acidic foods such as apples, pomegranates and peaches, with sweet fruits, such as bananas and raisins for a better digestion.

What is the best fruit for health?

  • Blueberries. “They’re sweet, juicy, flavorful and bursting with fiber and phytonutrients,” Hyland says. …
  • Pomegranate seeds. “Pomegranate seeds may be tiny but don’t let their size fool you,” Hyland says. …
  • Raspberries. …
  • Oranges. …
  • Apples.

Is fresh or frozen fruit better for smoothies?

The key to a great smoothie is using great ingredients. Having frozen fruit on hand makes it so easy to whip up a smoothie anytime. You can use fresh fruit, but

frozen fruit gives your smoothie that nice icy thick texture

.

Do homemade smoothies count as 5 a day?

1. However much you drink, it won’t count as more than one of your 5-a-day. According to new national recommendations,

smoothies can count as no more than one of your 5-a-day

– even if you’ve put 5 different fruit and veg in them. And if you have a glass of juice on the same day, you can’t count them both.

Does blending fruit increase sugar content?

When you eat whole fruit, the sugar is trapped inside the plant cell walls and your body has to break the walls down to access it. This causes the sugar to be released more slowly.

When you eat blended fruit, the sugar has already been released from the cell walls and so becomes “free sugars”.

Does blending fruit destroy fiber?

The soluble and insoluble fiber of fruits and vegetables work together to slow digestion and the release of sugars.

When you blend produce, you’re essentially pre-masticating it, or breaking down the insoluble fiber

. This breakdown means faster glucose release into your liver and a spike in blood sugar.

Does fruit lose nutrients when frozen?

Generally speaking, freezing helps retain the nutrient content of fruits and vegetables. However,

some nutrients begin to break down when frozen produce is stored for more than a year

( 2 ). Certain nutrients are also lost during the blanching process.

Does blending soup destroy nutrients?


Blending does not destroy nutrients

, oxidation does! Just make fresh batches and drink them within 20 minutes!

What will happen if I only drink smoothies for a week?

If you’re going to consume only smoothies, and for the long term, then

you’re more likely to lose muscle rather than fat

. This is important as lean muscle can burn more fat so if yours depletes, your effort to lose weight would be less effective. Fruit and vegetables are mostly made up of water and fiber.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.