The Smoothie Diet

This easy meal sub can help you shed up to 3kg in two shakes!

Healthy, delicious and easy to prepare, it’s easy to see why smoothies are the latest buzzword in nutrition. But can they really help you lose weight?

Well, yes, says dietitian Susie Burrell – as long as you make smart choices. “The key is to be aware of your serving sizes and the number of ingredients you include,” Susie says.

While high-calorie ingredients like seeds, nuts and avocados can add a real nutritional punch, Susie explains it’s best to add only one. Pop in a piece of fruit, and some low-calorie vegies such as cucumber, kale, spinach and celery for instant vitamin power.

Unlike juices, smoothies retain every part of the vegies you use, so they’ll feel like a proper meal. “The more fibrous the vegetables used, and the more skins of vegies or fruits included, the more filling the smoothie will be thanks to both its water and fibre content,” Susie adds.

So it’s no wonder they’re a huge hit for Hollywood stars, including Kourtney Kardashian, whose favourite mix includes almond milk, cardamom powder, dates, honey, spinach, banana and cacao powder.

The key is to watch out for serving sizes as well. “A 300ml smoothie will have similar calories to a snack, whereas large sizes will be equal to an entire meal,” Susie explains.