5 Fat-Burning Smoothies Nutritionists Always Recommend to Their Clients

Here at THE/THIRTY, we staunchly believe there's no such thing as a quick-fix or miracle cure-all when it comes to weight loss and improving the health of our metabolism. After all, not only can crash diets, crazy exercise routines, and even scary things like diuretics hurt our bodies over time, they can also deprive us of so many good things in life: the freedom to indulge in a treat with friends, choosing (without guilt) to stay in and relax on a lazy Sunday morning… You get the idea. 

However, there are certain takeaways when it comes to our dietary habits that are helpful to know and can transform into mindful, energizing rituals to keep our brain, energy, and good vibes humming, which we love. And since we do go through phases of taking better care of ourselves than others, sometimes handy tips, tricks, and recipes from leading nutritionists can be an important tool to have in our repertoire.

So although we'll gladly enjoy our fall-themed cocktails and our favorite slices of seasonal pie, we're also on board with having some system-supporting smoothies on hand to keep our body's natural fat-burning mechanism (aka our metabolism) in tip-top shape. For some expert advice and much-needed inspiration, we asked five top nutritionists for their favorite fat-burning smoothie recipes. Keep reading for their tried-and-true favorites.

So Fresh So Green Smoothie

According to Farah Fahad, MS, RD, a dietitian and founder of The Farah Effect, this smoothie's high protein content (which comes from the hemp-based protein powder) makes it great for fat-burning. Plus, an extra dose of fiber via dates and chia seeds helps excrete cholesterol (a type of fat) for an extra metabolism boost. The cherry on top? Tigernuts, a great source of prebiotics and an essential for a healthy microbiome, which in turn, fuels a humming metabolism.

Ingredients:

3 Medjool dates, stones removed

1 handful of washed spinach

1 1/2 tsp. of ground tigernuts (if you can't find these at your grocery store, you can purchase them online)

1/4 of a cucumber

1/2 of a small avocado

1-2 tsp. of hemp protein powder

1 1/2 tsp. Maca powder

2 tsp. of cashew butter

1 1/2 cup of rice milk or any nut milk (you can adjust amount for desired consistency)

1 1/2 tsp. of chia seeds (soak the chia seeds for at least 10 to 15 min in 5 tbsp. of rice or other nut milk, or pre-soak overnight)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Farah also tells us you can buy cashew butter or even make your own!

Matcha-Berry Metabolism Smoothie

A nutritional powerhouse, this fat-burning smoothie from celebrity nutritionist Elissa Goodman, IHN, contains some of the best superfoods when it comes to fast, efficient metabolism. "A compound in matcha called EGCG has been shown to boost metabolism and stop the growth of fat cells while MCT oil is like a super fuel for your cells. It boosts fat burning and increases mental clarity," she says.

Ingredients:

1 cup of unsweetened cashew or almond milk 

1 tsp. organic matcha powder

1 tbsp. organic MCT oil or coconut oil

1 tbsp. of cashew/almond butter

1 tbsp. hemp seeds or powder

1 scoop Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder

1 cup frozen organic wild blueberries or mixed berries

5 drops Omica liquid vanilla stevia (optional)

1/2 banana (optional, for extra creaminess)

Handful of ice cubes

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Protein-Packed Chia Smoothie

Despite their convenience, smoothies can quickly transform into sneaky sugar bombs (thanks to high-glycemic additions like fruit juice, syrups, and even an overload of fruit). And over time, too much sugar can inhibit fat burn instead of accelerating it. Registered dietician Lisa Moskovitz tells us a DIY recipe you make at home will not only help keep calories and sugar in check, but will allow you to pack in fat-burning sources of protein (Greek yogurt), fiber (berries and chia seeds), and other metabolism-enhancing superfoods like matcha. Her go-to recipe is below.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond milk

3 oz. of unsweetened Greek yogurt

1 tsp. matcha powder

1/2 medium banana

1 tsp. chia seeds

1/2 cup organic strawberries 

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Banana Turmeric Smoothie

Short and sweet, this simple yet tasty smoothie recipe from Maria Bella, founder of Top Balance Nutrition in NYC, capitalizes on fiber from the banana (it also lends a natural touch of sweetness) and fat-burning turmeric, which thanks to its high content of curcumin, is great for a buzzing metabolism. "Turmeric has been found to be a natural fat-burner, and I'm always adding it to recipes." Plus, it's incredibly versatile as Bella tells us it pairs well with both sweet and savory foods. 

Ingredients:

1 medium banana, peeled and roughly chopped

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 tsp. ground turmeric

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Variation: During hot summer days, you can add 4 to 6 ice cubes to make it cool and refreshing. 

Skinny Rich Protein Smoothie

"For weight loss and fat burning, this is my go-to smoothie recipe," explains Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CDN, who is the founder and director of Real Nutrition based in NYC. The trick, she says, is to limit fruit to about 1/4 cup (which lowers the overall carb content) while balancing other important macro-nutrients like protein, fat, and fiber. With quality additions like cinnamon (it stabilizes blood sugar!) avocado, chia seeds, and plant-based protein powder, she swears this recipe keeps her full for a good three hours.

Ingredients: 

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup frozen wild blueberries

1 2 handfuls frozen or fresh spinach, kale or cauliflower (frozen only)

1 tbsp. chia seeds

1/4 avocado

1 inch fresh ginger root

1/4 tsp. turmeric (dried)

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 serving protein powder (I use MoonJuice or Garden of Life Organic Plant Protein)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

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