After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend more time in the gym. But if you want to lose weight and get in shape, getting your heart pumping after work is one of the best ways to help your body shed those extra pounds.
But what should you drink? You don’t want something that will give you the jitters or leave you feeling too full. You want a smoothie that’s packed with nutrients but still tastes delicious!
We’ve done the hard work for you—here are five smoothies that will keep your metabolism going strong so that you can burn more fat and feel energized all day long.
Right here on Buy and Slay, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on best weight loss drinks, best juice for weight loss in the morning, belly fat burning juice recipes, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Best Juice After Workout For Weight Loss
Juices can be a quick and convenient way to squeeze some extra nutrients into your diet and promote weight loss.
However, some types of juice are high in sugar and low in fiber, which can ramp up your calorie intake and even lead to weight gain over time.
This is especially true with many store-bought juices, which are often brimming with sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy and delicious juices that you can make at home using just a few simple ingredients and a juicer.
Alternatively, you can use a blender. This method is preferable because it retains a higher amount of fiber, which can help promote feelings of fullness and manage your hunger.
Here are 8 of the best juices for weight loss.
1. Celery juice
Celery juice has recently become a popular ingredient among health-conscious consumers.
It’s not only low in calories but also comprises more than 95% water.
Studies show that choosing foods and beverages with a lower calorie density could be beneficial for weight loss and fat loss.
Celery juice is also a great source of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, which can help reduce oxidative stress and fight inflammation.
SUMMARY
Celery juice is low in calories and has a high water content, which may be beneficial for weight loss. It’s also loaded with anti-inflammatory antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds.
2. Beet juice
Athletes often consume beet juice when they’re looking to boost their performance. That’s because this juice contains beneficial compounds like dietary nitrates.
Dietary nitrates can help increase muscle efficiency and endurance, as well as reduce blood pressure levels by dilating your blood vessels.
Meanwhile, whole beets are low in calories and loaded with fiber, which can help support regularity, slow stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer to promote weight management.
As most of their fiber content is eliminated during the juicing process, beet juice generally doesn’t contain high amounts of this nutrient. That said, it’s a lower calorie and nutritious juice option when you’re looking to lose weight.
SUMMARY
Beetroot juice is low in calories and rich in nutrients and dietary nitrates, which can enhance sports performance through blood vessel dilation.
3. Pomegranate juice
In addition to being delicious and refreshing, pomegranate juice is a healthy, low calorie drink that may support weight loss.
According to one animal study, pomegranate juice blocked weight gain in mice fed a high fat diet.
Some research also suggests that pomegranates may help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that may otherwise lead to increased feelings of hunger.
In fact, one study in 16 people found that the antioxidants in pomegranate juice stabilized blood sugar levels after they ate bread, which might otherwise have led to increased blood sugar levels.
SUMMARY
Pomegranate juice is rich an antioxidant rich, low calorie beverage that may help support blood sugar managment.
4. Green veggie juice
Although the exact ingredients of green juices can vary, most feature leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, or cabbage.
These ingredients are high in fiber, low in sugar, and jam-packed with anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
Interestingly, studies show that increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables may be linked to decreased body weight and a reduced risk of weight gain and fat gain over time.
Plus, green juices are easy to tailor to your taste buds by swapping in your favorite ingredients. For a simple green juice you can make at home, try blending spinach, cucumber, green apples, and celery — then enjoy.
By using a blender instead of a juicer, you get the added benefit of all the nutrients and fiber from the leafy greens, making it even more satiating and weight-loss-friendly.
SUMMARY
Green juices are made with leafy green vegetables, which are fiber-rich and low in sugar. Studies show that eating more fruits and veggies may be associated with decreased body weight and a reduced risk of weight and fat gain.
5. Watermelon juice
Watermelon juice is sweet, refreshing, and highly nutritious.
Besides being low in calories, watermelon is a great source of heart-healthy micronutrients like potassium and the immune-supporting antioxidants vitamins A and C.
It also boasts a high water content, which could help you lose weight and feel fuller.
One 4-week study including 33 people gave 2 cups (300 grams) of fresh watermelon to participants daily. They experienced significant reductions in body weight, belly fat, hunger, and food cravings compared with those in a control group.
SUMMARY
Watermelon juice is low in calories and has a high water content, which could support weight management.
6. Lemon-ginger green juice
Lemon-ginger green juice can be a vibrant and delicious addition to a healthy weight loss diet.
In particular, lemons can help add a zip of flavor to your drink while squeezing in some extra antioxidan.
Some studies in humans and animals also show that ginger could help boost metabolism, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss.
Meanwhile, greens like spinach or kale — when blended rather than juiced — can bump up your intake of fiber to keep you feeling full between meals.
To get started, simply add a small knob of peeled ginger, some freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach to your food processor and blend.
SUMMARY
Lemon-ginger green juice features several nutritious ingredients that could help enhance feelings of fullness, support your metabolism, and decrease appetite.
7. Carrot juice
Carrot juice is a nutrient-dense beverage, packing plenty of vitamin A and other healthy carotenoids into each serving.
Blending your carrots instead of juicing them can also help boost your intake of fiber to enhance feelings of fullness and help regulate your appetite.
Plus, carrots are rich in carotenoids, a type of plant pigment found in many fruits and vegetables.
Interestingly, one 8-week study including 28 men with obesity found that those who drank a beverage rich in carotenoids daily experienced significant reductions in belly fat.
SUMMARY
Carrot juice is rich in fiber and carotenoids, both of which may be beneficial for weight loss.
8. Kale apple juice
Kale apple juice can be a healthy, high fiber alternative to sugary, store-bought fruit juices.
Kale, in particular, has nearly 1 gram of fiber per cup (21 grams). Studies have shown it helps stabilize blood sugar levels after meals in both humans and animals.
Apples are also high in fiber and a host of other nutrients. Research has found that consuming them is associated with increased weight loss and improved diet quality in both children and adults.
To make kale apple juice at home, simply blend a handful of kale leaves with a few sliced apples.
You can dial up the flavor and health benefits even further by adding other ingredients like celery, lemon juice, ginger, or carrots.
SUMMARY
Kale is high in fiber and can support healthy blood sugar levels. Apples are also very nutritious and may be associated with increased weight loss and improved diet quality.
The bottom line
Many healthy and delicious juices can support long-term weight loss.
Ideal juices for weight loss are low in sugar, high in fiber, and rich in other important nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
You can use this list as a starting point and experiment with your favorite ingredients to create healthy juices at home using a juicer or blender.
Best Weight Loss Drinks
When used alongside healthy lifestyle changes, certain beverages are more effective than others at promoting weight loss.
Beverages like green tea, coffee and high-protein drinks have been shown to boost metabolism, promote fullness and decrease hunger, all of which may encourage weight loss.
Here are eight drinks that are some of the best to include in your diet when trying to lose weight and get healthy.
1. Green Tea
Green tea is often associated with health, and for good reason.
Not only is it packed with beneficial antioxidants and other powerful nutrients, it’s also one of the most effective drinks for weight loss.
Drinking green tea has been shown to decrease body weight and body fat in several studies.
A review of 14 studies found that people who drank high-concentration green tea for 12 weeks lost an average of 0.44 to 7.7 pounds (0.2 to 3.5 kg) more than those who did not drink green tea.
It should be noted that this benefit is linked to green tea preparations that contain high amounts of catechins, antioxidants that may increase fat burning and boost metabolism.
Matcha is a type of green tea that contains a higher amount of catechins than loose leaf green tea, which makes it a good choice for weight loss.
One study found that women who consumed 3 grams of matcha per day experienced greater fat burning during exercise compared to women who did not drink matcha.
Plus, green tea contains caffeine, which can help promote weight loss by boosting energy levels and improving performance while exercising.
What’s more, people who drink green tea tend to have lower blood pressure and a lower risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes.
SUMMARY
Drinking green tea may help you lose weight by boosting metabolism and encouraging fat loss.
2. Coffee
Coffee is used by people around the world to boost energy levels and lift mood.
This is because coffee contains caffeine, a substance that acts as a stimulant in the body and may benefit weight loss.
Coffee can reduce energy intake and boost metabolism, which may help you lose weight.
One study in 33 overweight adults found that those who drank coffee containing 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight consumed significantly fewer overall calories than those who drank less caffeine or no caffeine at all.
Caffeine intake has also been shown to increase metabolism and promote fat burning in several other studies.
Coffee drinkers may have an easier time maintaining their weight loss over time, as well.
A study in over 2,600 people found that those who were successful in maintaining weight loss over time drank significantly more caffeinated beverages than a control group.
SUMMARY
Caffeinated beverages like coffee may stimulate weight loss by increasing metabolism, decreasing calorie intake and stimulating fat burning.
3. Black Tea
Like green tea, black tea contains compounds that may stimulate weight loss.
Black tea is a type of tea that has undergone more oxidation (exposure to air) than other types of teas, resulting in a stronger flavor and darker color.
Black tea is high in polyphenols, including a group of polyphenolic compounds called flavonoids. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce body weight.
Studies have shown that the polyphenols found in black tea promote weight loss by reducing calorie intake, stimulating fat breakdown and boosting the growth of friendly gut bacteria.
A study in 111 people demonstrated that those who drank 3 cups of black tea daily for three months lost more weight and had greater reductions in waist circumference compared to a control group.
Another study in 2,734 women found that those with higher intakes of flavonoid-rich foods and beverages like black tea had significantly lower body fat and belly fat than women who consumed less dietary flavonoids.
SUMMARY
Black tea contains polyphenols, antioxidants that have been shown to reduce body weight. Studies show that drinking black tea may help reduce body fat and encourage weight loss.
4. Water
Increasing your water intake is one of the simplest ways to improve overall health.
Drinking more water may also benefit your waistline by keeping you full in between meals and increasing the number of calories you burn.
Research suggests that having water before meals can set you up for success when trying to cut back on calories and lose weight.
A study in 48 overweight adults found that those who drank 500 ml (17 ounces) of water before meals while following a low-calorie diet lost 44% more weight over 12 weeks than those who did not drink water before meals.
Drinking cold water increases resting energy expenditure, which is the number of calories you burn while resting.
For example, a study in 21 overweight children showed that resting energy expenditure was increased by up to 25% for 40 minutes after drinking 10 ml of cold water per kilogram of body weight.
SUMMARY
Drinking more water can help burn calories and decrease intake at meals, which can result in weight loss.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, a compound that may stimulate weight loss by decreasing insulin levels, improving metabolism, suppressing appetite and burning fat.
Animal studies have shown that acetic acid can prevent weight gain and decrease fat accumulation in the belly and liver.
Although research is limited, there is some evidence that vinegar is effective in promoting weight loss in humans.
A study in 144 obese adults demonstrated that drinking a daily beverage containing 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vinegar per day resulted in significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference and belly fat compared to a placebo group.
Apple cider vinegar slows stomach emptying, which helps keep you fuller for a longer period of time and may reduce overeating.
However, it should be noted that drinking acidic beverages like apple cider vinegar can erode teeth, which is why it should be consumed sparingly and always followed by rinsing with water.
SUMMARY
Although more research is needed on the risks and benefits of apple cider vinegar, consuming a small amount per day may encourage weight loss.
6. Ginger Tea
Ginger is popularly used as a spice to add flavor to dishes and as an herbal remedy to treat a number of conditions such as nausea, colds and arthritis.
Human and animal studies have also shown this flavorful root to have a beneficial effect on weight loss.
A study found that rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% ginger powder for four weeks had significant reductions in body weight and significant improvements in HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels compared to rats fed a high-fat diet without ginger.
Although this study used a concentrated ginger powder, a study in humans found that ginger tea also helps reduce appetite and increase calorie expenditure.
One study in 10 overweight men found that when they drank 2 grams of ginger powder dissolved in hot water with breakfast, they experienced increased fullness and decreased hunger compared to days when no ginger tea was consumed.
Plus, the study showed that the ginger tea increased the thermic effect of food (the number of calories needed to digest and absorb food) by 43 calories.
Although that isn’t a huge number of calories, this suggests that — when combined with its satiating properties — ginger tea could be an effective way to enhance weight loss.
SUMMARY
Human and animal studies indicate that ginger can promote fullness, decrease appetite and increase metabolism, which is helpful when trying to lose weight.
7. High-Protein Drinks
Beverages that are high in protein can curb hunger, decrease appetite and promote fullness, which is important when trying to shed excess pounds.
There are countless protein powders available to consumers that make preparing a quick, healthy snack or meal a breeze.
Protein increases levels of hunger-reducing hormones like GLP-1 while decreasing ghrelin, a hormone that drives appetite.
A study in 90 overweight adults found that those who consumed 56 grams of whey protein daily for 23 weeks lost 5 pounds (2.3 kg) more fat than a control group who consumed no whey protein but the same number of calories.
Whey, pea and hemp protein powders are just a few varieties that can add a satisfying protein boost to shakes and smoothies that may help you drop pounds.
SUMMARY
Protein drinks decrease appetite and increase fullness. Protein powders can be easily added to any beverage for a quick and satisfying snack or meal.
8. Vegetable Juice
Although fruit juice has been linked to weight gain, drinking vegetable juice may have the opposite effect.
In one study, adults who drank 16 ounces of low-sodium vegetable juice while following a low-calorie diet lost significantly more weight than those who did not.
Plus, the vegetable juice group significantly increased their vegetable consumption and significantly decreased their carb intake, two factors that are important for weight loss.
Consuming whole vegetables whenever possible is the best choice for health due to the high amount of fiber that is lost in the juicing process.
However, consuming a low-calorie vegetable juice can increase your vegetable intake and may even help you lose weight.
SUMMARY
Although whole vegetables make the best choice, drinking vegetable juice may encourage weight loss when incorporated into a healthy diet.
The Bottom Line
Certain drinks such as green tea, coffee and ginger tea may help boost metabolism, minimize hunger and increase satiety, all of which can facilitate weight loss.
Additionally, these beverages contain beneficial nutrients like antioxidants and other powerful compounds that can benefit your health.
Replacing high-calorie beverages like soda and fruit juice with the drinks listed above is a smart way to cut calories and help you achieve your weight loss goals.
