Green Chia Weight Loss Smoothie

This satisfying green chia weight loss smoothie is perfect for your weight loss journey! It’s packed with nutrients and made with just 4 healthy ingredients in a few minutes. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• Keeps away hunger for hours
• Cleanses digestive tract
• Low in calories

This green chia weight loss smoothie will help you stay feeling full while losing weight. It’s perfect as a low calorie snack between meals, or even as an easy breakfast. It doesn’t taste too strong despite the vibrant colour so even if you are new to green smoothies you can enjoy this drink.

Chia seeds are a highly satiating food. That means they keep the feeling of hunger away for longer than other foods might. They have this satiating effect because they contain a high amount of soluble and insoluble fibre. Insoluble fibre itself contains no calories, but lots of volume. Consuming insoluble fibre rich foods like chia seeds make it easier to maintain a calorie deficit and lose weight. They are also great for cleansing your digestive tract!

Kale makes this smoothie high in antioxidants and vitamins. Antioxidants lower the risk of developing chronic diseases by neutralizing radical cell damage in the body. Kale also feeds good gut bacteria, improves immune system function and strengthens bones. Improving gut health can also directly impact the health of your skin!

All of the ingredients in this green smoothie are anti-inflammatory and healthy. It’s much better to consume a homemade green smoothie than a processed low calorie drink because you know exactly what’s in it, and are consuming only fresh, wholesome ingredients!

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this green chia green smoothie.

Chia seeds: Pre soak the chia seeds before adding to the blender. Place them in a small dish and add just enough water to cover the seeds. Wait 5 minutes or until they appear swollen.

Kale: Remove the stems and wash any dirt from the leaves before adding to the blender.

Frozen bananas: Creates the thick, creamy base of the smoothie and adds sweetness.

Coconut water: The liquids that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Make it sweeter

For a sweeter green smoothie add 1-2 tablespoons of date or agave syrup. Alternatively, try adding 1-2 medjool dates for a natural sweetness. Just make sure to remove the pits from the dates before adding to the blender.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Switch base ingredients

If you don’t like bananas then try something else as the base! Mango usually substitutes banana well. Other fruits to substitute banana with are pineapple, papaya and peaches. This smoothie is also delicious when using a combination of fruits, such as half banana and half mango.

Instructions 

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your green chia weight loss smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Use frozen greens

Dark leafy greens can boost your smoothies nutritional content easily. Greens don’t have to be fresh for blending. Frozen greens like kale and spinach are perfect for adding into smoothie recipes. Be aware that if you want your smoothie to be a certain colour, greens may alter it.

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This way it won’t start melting instantly while you are eating it. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

Does this green smoothie have a strong taste?

This green chia weight loss smoothie doesn’t taste particularly strong, but the kale can be switched for spinach if it tastes too ‘green’. Spinach is a milder green to include in smoothies. You can try using half spinach and half kale.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

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