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12 Smoothie Powder Facts Everyone Should Know

by Jacinta Plazzer on December 03, 2022

You up for a nice and refreshing smoothie?

From protein shakes to green liquids and delicious fruit concoctions, there’s at least one smoothie powder mix we love to indulge in. A powder smoothie is perfect for people with hectic lifestyles who barely have the time to grab fresh fruits and produce to create their favourite blend when they want it.

Table of Contents

1) Yes, a drink using smoothie powder can be healthy!

2) You can use smoothie powder to make a meal.

3) Powdered smoothies can improve digestion.

4) A powdered smoothie can complement weight loss efforts.

5) But powdered smoothies can also gain unwanted pounds!

6) Smoothie powder may contain more calories.

7) The type and quality of ingredients used in smoothie powder (and its pairings) matter.

8) Drinking powdered smoothies can be a part of pre and post-workout routines.

9) Smoothie powder is customizable.

10) A powdered smoothie can interfere with medication.

11) Smoothie powder will not “detox” your system.

12) Smoothie powder can be better than the real thing.

While you can opt for a quick boost of natural fruits and veggies, nothing is easier than a smoothie powder that does not require special food prep to whip up high nutrition in a cup. All you need are a heaping scoop of smoothie powder or a single-serve packet, some liquid, and a shaker (a portable blender would be nice, too) to enjoy an instant smoothie powder drink on the fly. If you can drink your way to good health this quickly and easily, why would you not?

What else is it about a smoothie powder that you need to know? There are a dozen more, at least! Let’s break down the 12 most useful facts.

 

1) Yes, a drink using smoothie powder can be healthy!

Smoothies are these super drinks because they are frequently associated with the quintessential healthy lifestyle. A good smoothie powder can supply your body with vital nutrients more conveniently, which otherwise requires a multitude of food sources that are not always accessible.

Berry fruits rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol are usually combined with milk to provide calcium and walnuts for their soluble fibre, transforming into a berry smoothie with genuine nutritional value. By going for a particular powdered fruit smoothie mix instead, you can gain these same benefits, if not more, which becomes a practical and better solution for most individuals.

For the vegetable-averse little ones, you can get more creative with a kids' smoothie powder drink by throwing in ingredients they like consuming, such as cacao, apple, or anything that will distract them from the veggie taste they dislike.

 

2) You can use smoothie powder to make a meal.

Speaking of health and convenience, a smoothie powder not only makes for a refreshing and nutritious beverage, but can also be an excellent meal replacement. With the right ingredients taken at optimal times, you stay hydrated and energized throughout the day. You can add a teaspoon of smoothie powder in yogurt or milk alongside nuts and granola to make a satiating smoothie bowl for breakfast, for example.

Although a smoothie powder will suffice to create a complete meal, we don't recommend that you replace every meal of the day with them. It is an alternative but not intended to replace conventional meals for good. So if you have a smoothie bowl for breakfast, proceed with your regular food programming throughout the day.

 

3) Powdered smoothies can improve digestion.

Proper digestion is typically overlooked as most Australian adults consume less than the suggested daily fibre intake of 25 grams for women and 30 grams for men. Fortunately, you can increase your consumption much more easily by drinking a fibre-rich powdered smoothie.

Oats, fixtures in many smoothie blends, are filled with a heart-healthy fibre called beta-glucan. This compound also benefits one’s immunity and blood sugar level maintenance. Brown flaxseed in a smoothie powder mix boasts both soluble and insoluble fibre that promotes gut health and regular bowel movement. However, having too much at once can also overwhelm your digestive system. If you plan to enhance your fibre intake, incorporate it gradually to allow your gut to adapt to get good results.

 

4) A powdered smoothie can complement weight loss efforts.

Although weight is a complex issue with several contributing factors, we know the amount of food you consume can impact your weight. Powdered smoothies are popular among those who want to manage weight; hence, they’re often included in many weight loss programs.

Aside from their fibre content that helps in proper digestion, smoothies have proteins that can easily make you full. Such enzymes can curb junk food cravings and the habit of going for seconds. You also experience less bloat, a persistent issue for many, even when eating nutrient-dense but bloat-inducing foods like beans due to their slow-digesting sugars.

By consuming the proper amounts at a time while ensuring your smoothie powder has a good balance of nutrients, you can improve your body, possibly resulting in a slimmer and trimmer figure.

 

5) But powdered smoothies can also gain unwanted pounds!

While we are lauding the potential weight loss one can achieve from consuming healthy drinks made of smoothie powder, the truth is, the effect could also be the opposite: weight gain.

Let’s face it; it’s easy to get carried away by drinking more smoothies than you should because they can also be very delicious. And as you may well know, too much of practically anything is not good. Just because your smoothie is healthy doesn’t make it weight-proof. It’s also exacerbated by one’s propensity to consume it without cutting back on food intake or putting more smoothie add-ins like sweet fruits.

Sometimes, a smoothie powder drink may even make you hungrier, especially when you add more milk to your blend since it lacks fibre. Hence, it’s important to stay within your limits to remain in lockstep with your weight loss goals.

 

6) Smoothie powder may contain more calories.

Still on the subject of weight gain, one of the culprits could be that your supposed healthy smoothie is actually packed with calories. You shouldn’t assume all fruits as being these perfectly healthy foods that you can consume voraciously without consequences. Many such fruits are teeming with sugars and carbs. Taking them in large amounts is no different from having that sugary powdered fruit juice that you are perhaps shying away from.

Some powdered smoothies may be a good source of fibre, but sugar is sugar. That’s why you also need to control your fruit portions, especially when adding them to a smoothie bowl. Meanwhile, check the number of calories per serving of your smoothie powder, especially if you want to maintain your weight, if not lose some.

 

7) The type and quality of ingredients used in smoothie powder (and its pairings) matter.

You see, not all powdered smoothies are the same. Two products may claim to be sugar-free, for instance, but up close, you’ll discover that one is using aspartame, and the other is yacon root powder. Aspartame is low-calorie but artificial nonetheless. Yacon root is a naturally sweet crop rich in prebiotic fibre that can slow down sugar absorption, making it a much better option.

Several brands are cheap for a reason; they may use fillers, thickeners, preservatives, artificial flavourings, and sweeteners, which cancel out the rest of the healthy ingredients of your smoothies. The quality of their components is crucial, especially when drinking them regularly.

With fruit smoothies, you want the smoothie powder to be sourced from whole fruits, not juices or extracts. Moreover, your drink should not only be good for your health overall, but also tastes good. It should be filling without piling on the calories. For example, using nutrient-dense faba beans, which are low in carbs yet high in fibre would make a great smoothie for weight loss.

Others would go for a smoothie powder that consists of a medley of superfoods like acai, goji berries, and spirulina. The country of origin is also a factor as it provides an idea of its quality and agricultural practices. A smoothie powder produced in Australia may differ from its American counterparts because it uses locally sourced ingredients. In any case, always check your product labels to know what you will be putting in your body is in sync with your diet.

 

8) Drinking powdered smoothies can be a part of pre and post-workout routines.

While protein shakes are a popular type of smoothie that complements a bodybuilder’s regimen, many fitness enthusiasts also go for a pre-workout smoothie to give them the energy to perform more difficult routines and for longer. Likewise, a protein shot from smoothies post-workout can replenish your used-up glucose, refueling your entire body.

Whey protein is common among premium smoothie powder brands as it is considered a superior option, while plant proteins sourced from brown rice and peas cater to vegan consumers. The accompanying anti-inflammatory properties make for better muscle recovery after high-intensity activity.

 

9) Smoothie powder is customizable.

Smoothie powder is typically categorized according to use, yet, it is highly versatile. It can instantly go from a tasty drink to a highly satisfying meal by adding the right items. You can blend almost anything into it, allowing you to finetune it to achieve your target nutrients. Want more fibre? Dump a little bit more chia seeds into your smoothie.

Likewise, a breakfast blend variety, for instance, doesn’t mean that you can only consume it in the morning. Tweaking it by adding more protein may make it a suitable lunch meal. You can also sprinkle spices such as turmeric and cinnamon on top of your smoothie to give it more flavour and a health boost.

How thick or runny your smoothie is may affect your enjoyment and how it fills you up. Suppose you prefer to have a thicker base. In that case, consider adding avocado slices that will not only add creaminess and thickness to its consistency, but will also give you more healthful benefits and make you full sooner.

Another thing that you can adjust is the liquid ingredient. When using water as a base of your smoothie powder, you also have to factor in the water content of your fruit add-ins regardless of whether they are frozen or at room temp. Either way, they will have some water that can thin out your smoothie consistency, making it less pleasing to the taste.

 

10) A powdered smoothie can interfere with medication.

Despite all its health stuff, consuming smoothies does not always work out for those on prescription medications. Some ingredients of your smoothie powder can impact their absorption and metabolization in your body. Hence, you should reconsider drinking smoothies, or go easy on them when taking certain medicines temporarily or regularly.

Take, for instance, the consumption of green smoothies among those who are using blood thinners or anticoagulants. Smoothie powder with vegetables like spinach will also contain Vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting.

It could be in your add-ins if it’s not in your smoothie powder. One example is bananas which are famously high in potassium that is often added to smoothies as a thickener. It may not be good for those taking ACE inhibitors when consumed in large amounts. Such medications tend to retain potassium in your body. Hence, potassium-dense ingredients may cause serious heart palpitations and elevated potassium levels.

Should you insist on consuming such types of smoothies despite the possible interactions, you may be able to do so, albeit in low to moderate amounts. In any case, it’s better to communicate with your doctor if you want to pursue this choice.

 

11) Smoothie powder will not “detox” your system.

It is commonly mistaken that since many smoothies have fibre in them or anything that has copious amounts, it automatically makes them great for detoxing. In other words, they would say something is good for detox when it is healthy.

In reality, consuming these so-called detox smoothies would only provide a window for the individual to be free of junk ingredients at the time. First, detoxification is an inherent function of the liver and kidneys. They will perform this even if you do not ingest green smoothies or any “cleanse.” And to be clear, while consuming certain foods such as powdered smoothies may be healthy and aid in weight loss, there is no concrete evidence that any of them can even eliminate toxins from your body. Yet, many food claims continue to sell this concept as it sounds like an attractive proposition.

 

12) Smoothie powder can be better than the real thing.

By now, you may have realized that with their healthy composition and remarkable versatility, powdered smoothies are on a higher level than regular shakes and fruit juices. What’s more amazing is they beat even natural fruits and vegetables just because a good smoothie powder blend can cover a wider range of nutrients enough to become a complete meal. Many smoothie drinkers have also observed the taste differences, favouring smoothie powders over their natural counterparts. Although nutritionists will still encourage everyone to consume actual fruits and vegetables, you can’t go wrong with having delicious and healthy smoothies either!

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