Homemade Weight Loss Shakes

Weight loss is on everyone's mind, and with reason. We're all aware of the number of problems we can be prone to, by being overweight. In a lifestyle where we get little time for physical activity, it is easier to rely on a diet to lose weight. While some people choose to starve themselves (a very wrong approach to weight loss), others try a myriad of foods and recipes that will help them lose weight. One such food is weight loss shakes that are known to consist of high levels of protein and a lot of other important nutrients to keep you fuller for longer. The best thing about these shakes is that they can serve as replacements for complete meals without having to lose out on the necessary nutrients required by your body. We bring to you a few recipes that will help you develop a variety in the kind of shakes you consume daily, and will lead you to losing weight in a healthy manner.

Recipes for Homemade Weight Loss Shakes

It is easy to make these shakes for weight loss, as they need simple ingredients and a blender to blend all the foods together. Some common ingredients used to prepare these shakes include fruits, vegetables, nuts, yogurt, milk, fruit juices, soy/rice/almond milk, protein powder, and peanut butter. Fruits and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins and minerals required by the body, while the dairy adds the calcium you need. Nuts and protein powder aid digestion, keep you fuller for longer, and provide energy to keep you going, since you are not eating anything else. Proteins also help in muscle development and target fat loss, not muscle loss.

By trying out various combination of these ingredients, you can make shakes that will appeal to your palate, and still help you lose weight. Make sure the fruits and vegetables you use have been cut into pieces that can fit in the blender easily. Here are some recipes you can try out.

Banana Almond Smoothie
Combine one banana, a tablespoon of chopped almonds, and one cup of low fat plain yogurt to make this smoothie. To make the consistency thinner, you may add a little sparkling water to it. For sweetness, two teaspoons of honey should suffice. Add a dash of cinnamon to this homemade protein shake to give it a unique flavor.

Peach Apple Shake
Combine together one peeled, de-seeded, and diced apple, pear, two peaches in a blender to make this smoothie. Add in a tablespoon of vanilla flavored protein powder to give it an additional punch. You can add a few mint leaves to this shake to give it a refreshing flavor. Enjoy it chilled.

Blueberry Shake
Half a cup of blueberries and a glass of soy milk are all that you require to make this shake. If you don't like the taste of soy milk, you may stick to regular skimmed milk. To increase the flavor, you can add in other fruits such as strawberries, bananas, or fresh grape juice, along with the blueberries. Add a tablespoon of a mix of powdered almonds and walnuts to the shake. These work well as a natural protein powder to make the shake rich and flavorful.

Fresh Fruit Mix
This shake requires you to blend together one fresh apricot, a quarter cup of pineapple chunks, half a banana, six strawberries, and one and half cup of skimmed milk. For a touch of freshness, try out mint as a garnish, or a dash of cinnamon or cardamom for a rich flavor. You may even try a dash of fresh ginger juice for a spicy flavor in this fruity drink.

Vegetable Shake
To enjoy a vegetable shake you may have to first acquire a taste for it. Put in a choice of your favorite vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, beetroot, radish, bitter gourd, tomatoes, lettuce, or pumpkin, along with a cup of non fat yogurt, and a dash of fresh lemon juice. Your healthy weight loss shake is ready!

You can either replace an entire meal with these drinks, or you can have them in between meals to provide your body with the necessary nutrition. Just remember, when you have these weight loss shakes, you should not be consuming anything else along with them. Also, don't overdo the use of fruits as fruit juices when consumed in excess can hinder weight loss and even result in weight gain. Have them in moderate amounts to make the most of them. You may also add herbs to these drinks to add to their nutritional value and flavor. Consume these and you will find that not only are you losing weight effectively, you are energetic, and your skin has not lost any glow in the process of weight loss.