The smoothie diet is a semi-liquid diet that involves consuming mostly blended drinks and very little solid food. So, what are smoothies, and how do you follow a smoothie diet? Let’s find out!
1 What is the Smoothie Diet?
What are Smoothies?
According to Healthline, an American health information website, smoothies are thick drinks usually made by blending fruits, vegetables, liquids, seeds, and sweetening or flavoring agents.
A basic smoothie starts with two essential ingredients – a base and a liquid. From there, you can combine any ingredients according to your taste preferences.
Many smoothies include frozen ingredients or ice cubes to create a thick and cold drink that is easier to consume, resembling a milkshake. However, the flavors of both drinks can vary greatly depending on the ingredients used.
Smoothie
What is the Smoothie Diet?
According to The Daily World, a newspaper in Washington State, USA, the Smoothie Diet is a diet designed to help individuals reduce their consumption of processed foods and added sugars.
By following this diet, people can replace solid meals with natural fruit and vegetable smoothies. This eating plan promises significant weight loss in less than three weeks. The creator of the smoothie diet, Drew Sgoutas, is a nutrition expert and health coach. He developed the 21-Day Smoothie Diet to help his clients lose weight. In his book, “The Smoothie Diet,” he outlines the concept of the diet and provides 36 smoothie recipes and a three-week schedule to follow.
Smoothie diet
2 How to Follow the Smoothie Diet
What to Eat?
To follow the smoothie diet, you need to drink two smoothies per day to replace two meals. For the third meal, you can eat according to your preferences, but for the best and fastest results, choose low-calorie food options.
Each week includes a “cheat day” or “flexible day”, where you can have one smoothie and two regular meals, but you should still follow the suggested food options in Drew Sgoutas’s guide.
He also mentions that if you ever want to lose weight again, you can simply repeat this 21-day plan.
How to Follow the Smoothie Diet
What to Drink?
The ingredients in the two smoothies will vary depending on your taste preferences, but they should include fruits and vegetables that provide fiber and healthy fats. For the third meal, you can consume solid food but should follow the suggested foods and low-calorie recipes using fresh ingredients.
While fruits offer essential nutrients, they also contain natural sugars, which may not be beneficial if you’re trying to reduce your sugar intake. Some smoothies in this diet will use stevia as a sweetener instead of sugar.
What to Eat on the Smoothie Diet
Additionally, most smoothies in this diet are low in protein and healthy fats. Mr. Sgoutas emphasizes the importance of getting enough protein throughout the day and recommends a minimum of 50 grams per day by including some in each main meal and snack.
To avoid feeling depleted, ensure that each smoothie contains essential macronutrients: Protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. You may want to consult a nutritionist to determine the best food choices for your body type.
How Long to Follow the Diet?
This smoothie diet should be followed for 21 days, with smoothies replacing two main meals and one free meal each day. Each week includes a “flexible day” where you can have one smoothie and two regular meals.
How Long to Follow the Smoothie Diet
3 Pros and Cons of the Smoothie Diet
Pros
- Delicious and low-calorie smoothies made from natural ingredients.
- Convenient shopping with an easy-to-follow grocery list.
- Weight loss in less than four weeks.
- Quick and simple meal preparation.
- Improved hair, skin, and overall health.
Cons
- You need to purchase the book or use the online app to access the diet’s menu.
- The diet primarily focuses on fruits and vegetables.
- Low-calorie content.
Cons of the Smoothie Diet
The above information introduces the smoothie diet, which can help you lose weight quickly in just 21 days, while also improving your skin and hair. Check out some of the menu options and give it a try for 21 days to see the results for yourself.
Source: Leep.app