Smoothies are a tasty way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet, but they’re not always good for losing weight. Many are calorie dense and loaded with sugar.
That said, smoothies that are packed with nutrients—not sugar—can be part of a healthy diet and help with weight loss.
To that end, we’ve collected 40 of our favorite weight loss smoothie recipes, all with around 300 calories (or less). But before getting to the recipes, let’s talk about how smoothies fit into the weight loss picture.
What smoothies are good for weight loss?
At Noom, we don’t usually recommend drinking your calories.
Smoothies, shakes, and juices are often full of sugar and calories and can be less satisfying than whole fruit and vegetables.
That’s because the blending process pulverizes the satiating fiber in fruit and veggies, so you’re likely to feel hungry sooner after drinking a smoothie than you would after eating a whole piece of fruit.
But not all smoothies are the same. The best smoothies for weight loss are full of satiating nutrients like fiber, protein, and healthy fats, while having a relatively low-caloric density. (Meaning the smoothie has a moderate amount of calories, given its weight and volume.)
Homemade smoothies are ideal because you control what goes into them. And along with nutritious fruit and vegetables, ingredients like yogurt, leafy greens, seeds, and protein powder can make them more filling.
Commercially made smoothies are an option if you’re running short on time, but be sure to check what’s in them. The caloric content of pre-made smoothies can range from around 100 calories to more than 1,000 (yep, really).
Finally, pay attention to serving sizes. Even healthy smoothies without additives can pack a surprising amount of calories because there’s usually more than one serving of fruit.
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For example, a whole banana has about 100 calories, but a small banana smoothie can pack more than 300 calories (or 600 for a large).
How to make low-calorie smoothies for weight loss
All you need to make a healthy weight loss smoothie is a blender or food processor and a few of your favorite ingredients.
Here are the building blocks for a delicious smoothie:
Fruit and/or veggies. Most smoothies are based on fruit or vegetables (or both). If you have fresh produce in your kitchen, great. If not, frozen works, too—in fact, using frozen fruit can help bulk up your smoothie and eliminate the need to add ice.
Liquid. Smoothies usually need some sort of liquid to help blend the fruit and veggies into something drinkable, like water, juice, or milk (low fat, soy, almond, coconut, or whatever kind you prefer).
Additions. Make your smoothie more satisfying with ingredients that make it more flavorful and filling. For example:
- Protein: Protein powder, Greek yogurt
- Healthy fat: Avocado, chia seeds
- Fiber: Rolled oats, apples
- Flavoring: Sweeteners, spices
Making most smoothies is as simple as throwing all the ingredients together and blending them until smooth, which is what makes them so convenient.
But you can also make them ahead of time, so you can grab one to go and drink it later when hunger strikes.
Blended smoothies will hold for a day in an airtight container in the fridge. To make them further in advance, prepare the smoothie and store it in the freezer (in a freezer-safe container) for up to three months.
You can also pour the smoothie mix into ice cube trays. When you’re ready to make them, pop a couple of ice cubes into the blender with the liquid of your choice and blend until smooth.
The 40 best healthy smoothie recipes for weight loss
Now, on to the recipes. The categories listed below aren’t exclusive, so you may find some overlap. But you’re sure to find some delicious smoothie recipes you’ll love.
Breakfast smoothies
Smoothies make a quick, healthy on-the-go breakfast. The following recipes use ingredients that are high in protein and fiber, so you feel full until lunchtime.
Oatmeal smoothie
This delicious shake makes for a satisfying breakfast, but can also double as a dessert when you’re in the mood for a sweet treat.
1. Peaches and cream oatmeal weight loss smoothie
1 cup frozen peach slices
1 cup dairy or dairy-free Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (contains fewer calories than sweetened versions)
1/4 cup blueberries
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
Blend all the ingredients together in a blender, except for the blueberries and honey. Pour into a glass and garnish with a drizzle of honey or agave nectar. Add a few fresh blueberries and serve.
You can modify this into a green smoothie by adding in spinach or other leafy greens with a bit of extra water. Enjoy!
Source: Noom
Coffee smoothie
2. Coffee and protein weight loss smoothie
Give your morning routine an extra boost by adding coffee to your breakfast smoothie.
2 cups ice
3/4 cup almond milk
3 strawberries
1 cup cold decaf or regular coffee
2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
1 scoop chocolate/cacao high-protein powder
Blend all ingredients except protein powder until smooth. Add in protein powder and blend again briefly. Pour into a tall glass, garnish with cacao nibs, and serve.
Source: Noom
Ultimate breakfast smoothie
This smoothie will fill you up with frozen fruit, greens, and Greek yogurt for a nourishing morning meal.
3. Ultimate healthy breakfast smoothie from Cooking Light (300 calories)
Green smoothies
Get more protein, fiber, and healthy fats in your diet by adding greens to your weight loss smoothie (especially dark greens like spinach and kale).
Kale
There’s a good reason that kale is considered a superfood. One cup contains just 33 calories and is full of Vitamins A, B6, K, C, and calcium.
If you don’t love the taste of kale, blending it with your favorite fruit is a great way to disguise the flavor.
4. Classic kale weight loss smoothie
1 cup kale (or other greens like spinach)
1 large, frozen banana
1/2 cup unsweetened dairy or nondairy milk of your choice
1/2 cup dairy or dairy-free Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
1 cup coconut water
1 tablespoon chia seeds
Combine all ingredients in a blender, making sure the bulk of them are covered by liquid. Blend until smooth. Add more water if necessary to smooth it out further.
If you want, experiment by adding a few strawberries or other seedy berries. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
5. Green smoothie for weight loss
1 peeled and frozen banana
3 whole leaves of dinosaur kale
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
Place all ingredients into the blender pitcher, except for the water. Cover with lid and tamper (if your blender comes with one). Start at a low speed and increase incrementally. Add water as needed and blend until smooth. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
6. Fruit cocktail and kale green smoothie
1 peeled and frozen banana
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup cherries with seeds removed
3 leaves kale
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Place all ingredients into the blender pitcher, except for the water. Cover with lid and tamper (if your blender comes with one). Start at a low speed and increase incrementally. Add water as needed and blend until smooth. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
Spinach
Spinach is another nutrient powerhouse, with Vitamins B2, B6, C, E, and K, folate, zinc, and fiber. It’s a popular smoothie addition because it has a milder taste than kale.
7. Tiki green smoothie recipe for weight loss
1 peeled and frozen banana
1 cup coconut water
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup pineapple
1 orange peeled and quartered
1 bunch spinach
Place all ingredients into the blender pitcher, except for the water. Cover with lid and tamper (if your blender comes with one). Start at a low speed and increase incrementally. Add water as needed and blend until smooth. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
8. Anti-inflammatory celery and greens smoothie recipe for weight loss
2 stalks celery roughly chopped
1 bunch leafy greens (like spinach)
1 cup low-fat kefir (or plain vegan Greek yogurt for a dairy-free green smoothie)
1 apple
1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
1 cup water
Place all ingredients into the blender pitcher, except for the water. Cover with lid and tamper (if your blender comes with one). Start at a low speed and increase incrementally. Add water as needed and blend until smooth. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
9. Green smoothie with mango, pineapple, and banana from 100 Days of Real Food (203 calories)
Avocado
Avocado is chock full of healthy fat, along with fiber, potassium, and other vitamins. Toss some into your smoothie for added nutrients and a creamier texture.
10. Avocado mint smoothie from Fit Foodie Finds (303 calories)
11. Creamy avocado banana smoothie from Minimalist Baker (146 calories)
12. Blueberry avocado smoothie from Well Plated (283 calories)
Protein smoothies
A high-protein smoothie helps you stay full. If you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can just add protein-rich ingredients like plain Greek yogurt, nut butter, egg whites, unsweetened soy milk, or flax or chia seeds.
Protein powder smoothies
Of course, protein powder is a quick and easy way to add protein to your smoothies, whether you’re trying to lose weight or build lean muscle mass.
13. Vanilla berry protein smoothie from Tasty (291 calories)
14. Peanut butter chocolate protein shake from The Spruce Eats (293 calories)
15. High-protein fruit smoothie from A Sweet Pea Chef (268 calories)
High-fiber smoothies
Fiber not only increases satiety—but it also helps regulate your blood sugar levels when you add it to your smoothies. Ingredients like bananas, berries, kale, rolled oats, dried figs, and even broccoli will pump up the fiber content of your favorite smoothie.
16. Pumpkin and fig weight loss smoothie
1/2 large frozen banana
1 cup dairy or dairy-free Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
3 fresh figs
1/3 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 tablespoon peanut butter powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoon hemp hearts, plus more for topping
2 pinches extra cinnamon for topping
Add all the ingredients except 1 teaspoon of the hemp hearts and the cinnamon to a blender. Blend all ingredients on high until it gets smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass and top with the remaining hemp hearts and cinnamon. Serve immediately.
Source: Noom
17. High-fiber smoothie with banana, kiwi, and raspberries from An Affair from the Heart (193 calories)
18. Clementine sunshine smoothie from Cookie and Kate (176 calories)
Keto smoothies
Because fruits are limited on the keto diet, it can be challenging to find a healthy and good-tasting keto smoothie with a low caloric density.
19. Low-carb, sugar-free strawberry smoothie from Wholesome Yum (106 calories)
20. Keto peanut butter smoothie from Sweet as Honey (172 calories)
21. Keto lemon smoothie from Forget Sugar Friday (278 calories)
Yogurt smoothies
Yogurt is a healthy and satisfying addition to your smoothies—especially Greek yogurt, which has a whopping 12 grams of protein per 1/2 cup.
22. Triple pomegranate weight loss smoothie
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses
4 large mint leaves, plus more to garnish
1 tablespoon pomegranate arils for garnish
Blend the blueberries, yogurt, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, and mint together using a blender. Add more juice as needed for the desired consistency. Garnish with mint leaves and arils, pour, and serve.
23. Vanilla bean yogurt smoothie from Simple Green Smoothies (223 calories)
24. Peach smoothie from A Couple Cooks (202 calories)
Fruit smoothies
One of the best things about smoothies is that you can make one with whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand.
Strawberry
This strawberry smoothie includes Greek yogurt, but can be made vegan by swapping it out for coconut water and ice cubes.
25. Perfect strawberry smoothie from A Couple Cooks (245 calories)
Blueberry
With cinnamon, vanilla, and optional vanilla protein powder, this high-protein smoothie is reminiscent of blueberry pie.
26. Blueberry banana smoothie from Well Plated (242 calories)
Mango
Make this easy tropical smoothie with frozen chunks of mango, banana, pineapple juice, and avocado for a dose of heart-healthy fat.
27. Mango avocado smoothie from Meaningful Eats (155 calories)
Papaya
Sweetened condensed milk makes this four-ingredient smoothie super creamy and delicious.
28. Easy papaya smoothie from The Six Figure Dish (254 calories)
Vegetable smoothies
Fruit isn’t the star of every smoothie—you might be surprised by the veggies that can make a great smoothie, especially with a little creativity.
29. Carrot ginger turmeric smoothie from Minimalist Baker (144 calories)
30. Sweet potato smoothie from Eat with Clarity (220 calories)
31. Cucumber smoothie from A Couple Cooks (174 calories)
Beetroot smoothie
Beetroot (or beet) smoothies may sound intimidating to the uninitiated, but the nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory root vegetable is worth exploring.
32. Peace of mind green smoothie for weight loss
2 cups green cabbage
1 cup water
2 oranges peeled and quartered
2 cups chopped pineapple
1 cup cubed and peeled raw golden beet
1 lemon juiced
Place all ingredients into the blender pitcher, except for the water. Cover with lid and tamper (if your blender comes with one). Start at a low speed and increase incrementally. Add water as needed and blend until smooth. Pour and serve immediately.
Source: Noom
33. Red beet power smoothie from Healthy Nibbles and Bits (169 calories)
34. Beet and berry smoothie from Nyssa’s Kitchen (181 calories)
Chocolate smoothies
A chocolate smoothie can satisfy your sweet tooth while filling you up with healthy nutrients.
35. Rich dark chocolate smoothie from Cooking Light (302 calories)
36. Healthy chocolate smoothie from Mama Knows Nutrition (237 calories)
37. Healthy chocolate and banana smoothie from Yay! for Food (181 calories)
Chia seed smoothies
With their mild and nutty flavor, chia seeds are an excellent addition to your favorite smoothies. They’re also rich in satiating fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein.
38. Creamy strawberry chia seed smoothie from Fit Foodie Finds (159 calories)
39. Blueberry and chia seed smoothie from Food Network (228 calories)
40. Best chia seed smoothie from Simple Green Smoothies (168 calories)
Why healthy smoothies alone won’t deliver sustainable weight loss
Weight loss smoothies are a great way to introduce missing nutrients and vegetables like spinach or kale into your diet.
Real results with a personalized weight loss program
Take the quiz!
Because these 40 smoothies are filling and can stand in for a meal here and there, they can help you maintain a calorie deficit for weight loss without feeling deprived.
However, calorie reduction alone just isn’t a sustainable approach to weight loss. Eventually, you’ll stop depriving yourself and revert to your normal eating habits. At that point, you are likely to gain back all the weight you lost.
Noom is different. We use science-driven psychological and nutritional approaches to help you change your whole relationship with food. Our expert coaches and dedicated community of Noomers will support you every step of the way.
