Weight Loss SmoothieAccording to UK detox expert, Jem Friar there is! I was glancing through a copy of Grazia magazine the other day and came across an article on extreme ways to lose weight. Now drinking a shake is hardly as extreme as a boot camp where you don't sleep for 24 hours, or a 243km run across the Sahara desert! But I was intrigued all the same. I'm a big fan of shakes and smoothies, particularly for breakfast as I rarely feel like - or have much time to eat - regular food first thing in the morning. So what makes this weight loss smoothie so special...?
Weight Loss Smoothie - What is it...?Well, the claims made for this weight loss smoothie are that it: Sounds great, but what miracle ingredients does this weight loss smoothie contain to do all that? Hmm, can't say it's the most appetising smoothie recipe I've ever come across! You're supposed to drink the shake for breakfast and combine it with a healthy diet full of fruit and veg. You should also cut down on meat, alcohol, wheat and dairy and cut out refined sugar and processed foods. Add in a minimum of 20 minutes a day of aerobic exercise and you're supposed to be able to lose up to 3lbs a week!
Weight Loss Smoothie - Does it Work...?First off, the smoothie is low in calories at well under 200 cals, which will help you to cut calories. Certainly if you normally start the day with bacon and eggs or hot buttered toast!As far as the ingredients are concerned...well, they're some of the usual suspects found in many weight loss supplements. Soya contains lecithin, as do flax seeds and brewer's yeast. Lecithin is touted as a fat burner given its fat emulsifying properties, but there's no evidence to suggest that it will lead to any significant weight loss. As well as containing lecithin, flax seeds are the richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids, and there's some good emerging evidence of a link between Omega 3 and weight loss. Similar claims are made for papaya as are made for grapefruit, but again there's little if any compelling evidence that papaya - or grapefruit - have miracle weight loss properties. Psyllium husks contain fibre, which aids the transport of food through the intestinal tract. I presume it's included in the weight loss smoothie as an appetite suppressant - to help fill you up and reduce hunger pangs. Whilst it may help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of colon cancer, there's little hard evidence that eating it will lead to any significant weight loss. Fiber is a healthy addition to your diet though. Spirulina is an algae and could make a valuable contribution to your diet as it's rich in essential nutrients. It's also promoted as an appetite suppressant, but again there's little evidence to support the weight loss claims made for spirulina or supplements containing spirulina. All in all, there's nothing wrong with this smoothie - except the taste maybe! It's healthy and nutritious, but drunk on its own it's not going to work miracles. The healthy diet and exercise just might though!
Weight Loss Smoothie - The Bottom Line...This weight loss smoothie recipe won't melt away your body fat. Drink it as recommended and it's a healthy addition to a sensible weight loss program.However, it tastes awful! Drinking smoothies and shakes can be an easy way to get a couple of portions of fresh fruit a day. They're also quick and convenieent. The perfect snack for busy people on the go! Check out our smoothie and shake recipes for some infinitely more tasty and equally healthy alternatives!
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