Smoothie Mistakes You Might Be Making

Smoothies are a delicious and creamy way to pack a major nutrient punch to your day and your diet. Whether you use them as your go to get out of the house fast breakfast or a sweet treat to curb your mid afternoon cravings, smoothies make life a little bit more convenient! While that convenience is key to getting the nutrients you need, you may be making a few big mistakes when it comes to the smoothies you make!

Let’s take a look at the smoothie mistakes you might be making.

You May Be Choosing The Wrong Protein Powder

Adding a little protein to your smoothie will help keep you full for longer and won’t leave you with the dreaded blood sugar spikes that come from more fruity varieties of smoothies.

But realistically, you are likely getting enough protein in your diet already! Whether you are a meat eater or stick to a strictly plant-based diet, if you are consuming enough calories, you’re getting enough protein.

Not all protein powders are created equal and that means it is super important to make sure you are choosing the right one. Your best bet is to stick to protein powders with all natural ingredients, low calories, low sugar and be sure to stay away from any that contain artificial sweeteners and colours.

Read my blog post on how to choose a protein powder.

Picking The Wrong Fruits

Let’s get a few facts straight, fruit is good for you in moderation! Natural fruit sugars are not bad for you in small to moderate quantities and fruits are full of antioxidants that are essential to a healthy body and mind!

When choosing which fruits to add to your smoothies, try to use berries. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a delicious banana, pineapple or mango smoothie, but try your best to keep your fruit choices to those that have a good fiber content and a lower sugar amount.

A good rule of thumb is for every smoothie you make you need only a cup of fruit total. I like to use half a banana and then fill the rest of my 1 cup up with berries.

Also, be aware that fruit juices are incredibly high in sugar, so opt for other options such as almond milk when blending up that delicious smoothie!

Sticking To The Same Smoothie

While we all have that go to smoothie we love to make, sometimes our body needs variety. Get adventurous with your smoothie making and try to choose some seasonal options, changing things up as the availability of produce changes.

By switching up your smoothie routine your body will receive a different variety of nutrients and you may just find a new flavour combo that is absolutely delicious!

Not Adding Veggies

This is a big smoothie mistake! Smoothies are the perfect way to sneak in a few extra servings of veggies into your daily diet. Not only do these veggie servings do a body good, they also provide much needed dietary fiber, which helps you feel full for longer!

While kale and spinach are an easy addition, there are plenty of greens that make for a good add in to any smoothie. Sticking with leafy greens to start will yield the best results. Carrot tops, arugula, romaine lettuce, beet greens, celery, and cilantro are all great greens to try.

So the next time you go to make yourself a delicious smoothie, make sure you aren’t committing these smoothie mistakes. With just a few changes you may notice yourself having a healthier, happier, and more satisfied day!

Article written by Rachael Attard

Rachael is an Australian born certified personal trainer and nutritionist who holds a Bachelor degree in Science.

After struggling for years to find an exercise and diet program that is tailored to women striving for lean and toned body with no bulk she designed her Lean Legs Program. This program is tailored to each body type and focused on helping women get toned but feminine bodies, without getting bulky.

Her mission is to empower women and help them stay in shape in a healthy and balanced way.