Delicious and easy diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss

October 5. 2023

Finding a snack that doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes but at the same time is tasty can be challenging. Add trying to lose weight to the mix, and you run out of ideas. What can you have for breakfast or between meals without sabotaging your weight loss? Here is when diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss come to the rescue.

Are you tired of having the same low-carb snacks over and over? Trying to lose weight and control blood sugar levels doesn’t mean boring, no delicious food. With a pinch of creativity, you can easily spice up your meals and still efficiently achieve fat loss. For example, mushrooms for weight loss are an excellent way to bring life to your foods while taking advantage of mushrooms’ incredible benefits. There are tons of ways to make a diet plan more exciting; today, we’ll focus on diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss. These diabetic-friendly smoothies will make your meal plan more interesting while supporting your weight loss journey.

Does diabetes cause weight gain?

Undiagnosed diabetes and weight gain are deeply entwined. A type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis comes with potential weight gain. This condition is characterized by the body not managing insulin as it should. We need insulin hormone for glucose (sugar), our body’s primary fuel source, to enter the cells. When our bodies stop using insulin as they should, glucose stays in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar levels.

Excess glucose eventually becomes stored fat, mainly around the abdominal area. That type of fat, known as visceral or insulin resistance belly fat, can lead to different health issues. And, like the chicken-and-egg scenario, excess visceral body fat can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. Getting rid of belly fat can prevent you from developing those conditions.

Losing weight and managing abdominal fat when having diabetes is more than an aesthetic concern; it can prevent further health complications. If you have diabetes, working toward a healthier weight will be highly beneficial.

Are smoothies good for weight loss?

Smoothies are the perfect weight loss ally. If you are taking Saxenda, Ozempic, or other diabetes and weight loss medication and haven’t added smoothies to your Saxenda meal plan, you are missing out. Smoothies can seem such a simple treat, yet they are incredibly versatile, easy to prepare, and can promote weight loss. You’ll never regret becoming a smoothie person.

You can consume smoothies as breakfast, snack, or even a meal. By preparing homemade smoothies, you have complete control over the ingredients. When having a smoothie as a meal, you want it to satisfy you so you don’t feel hungry for a few hours. For that, you must add plenty of protein to your blend through milk, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, or your favorite weight-loss protein powder. Protein will make you feel satiated for longer, preventing you from indulging in unhealthy snacks during the day. Are you exercising to support your weight loss journey? Protein is also essential for muscle growth and tissue repair after your workouts.

Benefits of adding smoothies to your diet

Most of us have a smoothie occasionally, during summer days, or on special occasions. But including them as part of your daily routine will provide you with all these benefits:

• Time-saving: Are you a fan of meal prep? Then, smoothies are made for you. They are easy and fast to prepare; you only need a blender and your favorite fruits or vegetables. You can even freeze the ingredients in individual Ziploc bags and have them always ready to blend. 
• Convenience: You can take your smoothie on the go, while working, taking a walk, or while doing other tasks. With diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss, you’ll have no excuses to complete all your meals.
• Versatility: You can literally add anything you want – fruits, veggies, milk, yogurt, peanut butter, honey, etc. We encourage you to adapt the recipes to meet your taste preferences and dietary needs. 
• Packed with nutrients: By adding ingredients rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, you can quickly provide your body with all the essential nutrients it needs. Many moms use smoothies to slide in vegetables and make kids eat more veggies. There’s no reason for us not to use that trick when struggling to eat more fruits and greens!
• Blood sugar control: By making the right food choices for your smoothie, you can have a delicious snack or meal that doesn’t cause blood glucose spikes. 
• Weight loss: Picking the right ingredients also leads to an enhanced weight loss journey. For example, an avocado smoothie for weight loss is an excellent way to be one step closer to your goal while drinking a tasty shake. 

6 easy diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss

The trick to having smoothies that improve your weight loss is to prepare them yourself using healthy ingredients. Our weight loss clinic in Chicago dietitians will give you a few ideas that you are welcome to modify to meet your unique needs. Let’s jump into 6 diabetic smoothie recipes for weight loss.

Strawberry-Watermelon Smoothie

This is the smoothie to have on a hot summer day. Strawberries and watermelon pair so well together, and they fit perfectly to prepare this recipe. These are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 cup chopped watermelon
• 2 cup chopped strawberries
• 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• A squeeze of lemon juice
• 2 teaspoon honey (optional for sweetness)

Combine all ingredients in the blender and puree until smooth; you can also add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. Strawberries are high in antioxidants and have a low glycemic index, making them perfect for blood sugar management. Watermelons are 90% water; they are the ideal fruit for a weight loss treat.

Carrot Smoothie

Carrot juices tend to be pricy when you get them from stores or smoothie shops, but if you make them at home, they are inexpensive and easy to prepare. Carrots are a non-starchy vegetable, making them perfect if you follow the keto diet. This vegetable is high in fiber and, unlike the popular misconception, carrots are low in sugar. To make this tasty smoothie, you’ll need:

• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• 1 1/2 cup ice (optional)

Before blending the ingredients, cook the carrots in boiling water for about 15 minutes or until tender. Once the carrots have cooled, mix all the ingredients in the blender.

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Peanut butter and banana is a classic smoothie combination; we are also adding cottage cheese to give this one a twist. The ingredients are:

• 1 sliced medium banana
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup almond milk

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

This smoothie will leave you satiated for hours; it’s the ideal recipe if you are taking Ozempic weight loss. Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, and cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels. The cottage cheese provides a creamy texture, taking this smoothie to a whole new level of tastiness.

Mango-raspberry smoothie

Breakfast smoothies are an amazing way to start your days; you can use frozen mangoes and raspberries if you want to! We added half an avocado to the recipe for the healthy fats and more satiety:

• 3/4 cup mango
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon agave (optional if mango is too tart for your taste)

Mix the ingredients in a blender, and you’ll have a wake-me-up smoothie to kick-start your day.

Green Shake

For this green smoothie, you’ll need:

• 2 cup spinach
• 1 sliced banana
• 1/2 cup low-fat almond milk
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

You won’t believe the delicious smoothie those ingredients blend into; even kids will love it! The green smoothie is packed with fiber, potassium, minerals, and vitamins C, A, and K. Dietary fiber will boost your digestive system, and vitamins A and K will keep your bones strong and healthy.

Cherry Ice Cream Smoothie

Another tasty idea for hot summer days; cherries are perfect to add sweetness without raising blood sugar levels.

• 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 scoops low-fat vanilla ice cream

Cherries have potassium, which will help keep high glucose levels at bay. You can treat yourself to this healthy smoothie when craving something sweet.

Final thoughts

Are diabetic smoothie recipes good for weight loss? Absolutely yes! Healthy smoothies fit perfectly in almost any weight loss meal plan. They are easy to make and highly convenient, and you can adapt them to your dietary needs. You can have them as breakfast or mid-day snack, or make them part of your lunches or dinners. Like with any food, sticking to healthy ingredients and not overindulging is crucial. Do you want to learn more about foods that support weight loss? Schedule a call with our team and improve your weight loss diet today!

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.