A Dietitian’s Top Fall Smoothie Recipe for Shedding Pounds
During the first crisp days of fall, you’re more than ready to indulge in the tastiest seasonal flavors. And, let’s be honest: Nothing beats sipping a fresh pumpkin smoothie on the front porch while snuggling under a flannel blanket and admiring the changing leaves. To help you turn this daydream into reality, we have a dietitian’s #1 fall smoothie recipe for weight loss. Get ready to enjoy a nutritious treat that highlights the season’s best ingredients.
A Creamy Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe for Weight Loss
Nutrition (per smoothie):
Calories: 389
Fat: 13 g
Carbohydrates: 44 g (Fiber: 13 g)
Protein: 24 g
The beginning of this recipe? Pumpkin, of course! This fall smoothie combines fiber, protein and nutrients that make it a real weight loss powerhouse. Fiber and protein keeping you full and satisfied, helping you resist any urge to snack or overeat later.
This is an ideal smoothie for a daily meal replacement or to enjoy after an intense workout.
The ingredients:
- 1/4 cup ice (optional)
- 1 cup canned organic pumpkin
- 6-10 oz. (depending on desired consistency) brewed green tea
- 3 tbsp. organic grass-fed whey protein or vegan alternative
- ½ cup frozen banana
- 1 tbsp. organic almond butter
- 1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
“Pumpkin is nutrient dense, low in calories and rich in satiating fiber,” explains Tami Best, MS, RDN, IFNCPa Functional and Integrative Registered Dietitian from Top Nutrition Coaching. “Filling your gut with fiber-rich foods can help boost your body’s production of glucagon-like peptide hormone (GLP-1). This hormone is known to promote satiety and regulation of blood glucose; both of which support an individual’s ability to lose weight.”
Plus, this smoothie offers a nice little caffeine boost thanks to the green tea. “Green tea is rich in catechins (EGCG-epigallocatechin gallate); these catechins are known to support a more efficient metabolism, boosting the ability to burn calories,” adds Best.
To further support your weight loss efforts, protein comes into play with pure, organic protein powder. “When we lose weight, we don’t just lose fat tissue, we can also lose muscle tissue. Consuming enough quality protein (along with regular strength training) is essential to maintaining the lean body mass necessary for sustained weight loss,” Best tells us .
Frozen bananas are another excellent source of fiber and provide delicious natural sweetness, while almond butter offers healthy fats to increase satiety and control appetite.
“[In addition,] ground flaxseed is a well-tolerated source of fiber that can be a game changer in promoting a healthy gut microbiome and normalizing bowel habits,” says Best. “Our gut microbiomes are composed of trillions of organisms that regulate hormones and influence metabolic health. Consuming foods like ground flaxseed encourages the growth of health-promoting organisms in our gut.”
Alexa Mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Deputy Editor of Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel and delivering compelling fitness, wellness and self-care topics to readers. Read more about Alexa