Have you ever thought about drinking a night-time smoothie for weight loss? Well, if you haven’t you might want to give it a go!
Smoothies are traditionally thought of as something enjoyed for breakfast. Or perhaps as a pre or post-workout snack – particularly after anaerobic exercise. In actual fact, there are many benefits to drinking a smoothie before bedtime. The main one being, it can help promote weight loss!
Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise: Which is Better for Fat Loss?
You might be wondering how drinking a smoothie can help you lose weight? It’s actually a number of reasons, some of which may surprise you!
So, are you ready to mix up your weight loss plan and give bedtime smoothies a go?
Read on to find out the benefits of drinking a night-time smoothie for weight loss – and a delicious recipe to try too!
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Why Should You Drink a Smoothie at Night?
Smoothies are incredibly popular, not only as a drink, but often as a meal replacement. Never has it been so easy to get so many fruits, veggies, and nutrients all in one glass. But whilst we know the benefits of drinking smoothies as a whole – what exactly are the benefits to drinking a smoothie at night?
Well, for many of us, the evening is a time to snack. Whether you have a sneaky bowl of cereal, biscuits or a chocolate bar, we all tend to enjoy a late-night snack.
Unfortunately, these tend to be empty calories, which do little to benefit our bodies overall. And the worst thing? If you’ve been eating well all day and succumb to late-night hunger pangs, it can make weight loss a very frustrating journey.
This is where the night-time smoothie comes in! A night-time smoothie is filled with ingredients that can satisfy those hunger pangs. Not only that, but it is low in sugar and high in healthy fats and proteins.
The secret is, drinking a smoothie filled with these nutrients at night can boost your metabolism – key to effective weight loss. In fact, night-time is when your metabolism is working overtime. Your body is also resting and repairing during the night. So, bedtime is possibly the best time to fuel your body with extra nutrients and goodness!
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Vladislav Muslakov via Unsplash
Of course, there are other benefits to enjoying a smoothie at night-time. Many smoothie ingredients can help us have a more restful sleep, whereas others can actually help induce feelings of sleepiness!
5 of the Best Sleep-Inducing Foods: Find Out What They Are!
But what are the best ingredients for a nighttime smoothie? And how can they benefit weight loss?
Let’s find out!
Best Ingredients for a Weight Loss Night-time Smoothie
If you want to try a nighttime smoothie for weight loss, you need to know the best ingredients to include! Choosing the right ingredients is vital to ensure that you’re not over-consuming sugar and empty calories in your bedtime drink.
So, let’s take a look at the best ingredients to include in your bedtime smoothie if you want to lose weight!
Ginger
Ginger is a great ingredient in a weight loss smoothie, but particularly before bed. It naturally speeds up the metabolism, aiding the shedding of fat through the night! Not only that, but ginger can also help reduce cholesterol as the body burns fat.
Aloe Vera
This natural plant can be added to smoothies at bedtime to promote weight loss! It is another ingredient that may help to boost your metabolism. This can increase the number of calories burnt whilst you’re sleeping – amazing! Aloe vera may also be helpful at monitoring blood sugar control which can also help increase weight loss.
It is worth noting that aloe vera can cause digestive troubles in some people, and so should only be used in small quantities.
Spinach
Green vegetables such as spinach are an excellent smoothie ingredient. In fact, they are excellent for promoting weight loss and even better for night-time smoothies!
Why? Well, spinach is packed full of nutrients including fibre and Vitamin A. Not only that, but spinach is extremely low in calories, yet keeps you feeling fuller for longer! Kiss goodbye to waking up ravenous for an unhealthy breakfast!
Banana
This popular fruit is the key to a naturally sweet weight loss smoothie. When it comes to a night-time smoothie to help you lose weight, you want to steer clear of the sugars. Luckily, bananas can give you that slight sweetness without the extra calories.
Additionally, if you suffer from a sweet tooth (don’t we all?), bananas will kick the sugar craving nicely!
Oats
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Oats have fast become a smoothie staple due to the fact they are filling, but full of goodness. Of course, they are a great ingredient in a nighttime smoothie for weight loss. Oats are low in calories but extremely high in fibre. This makes them perfect for bulking up a smoothie and reducing your need to snack!
Ok, so now we know the best ingredients for a night-time smoothie for weight loss – let’s find out how to make one!
Bedtime Detox Smoothie for Weight Loss Recipe
A night-time smoothie for weight loss can be savoury or a little sweeter – it all depends on your preference! We’ve included two of our favourite recipes below for those with and without a sweet tooth!
So, see which one you like the sound of!
Bedtime Banana Smoothie for Weight Loss
For this smoothie you will need:
- 1 large banana, sliced (frozen is best)
- 2 teaspoons of ginger
- 1 cup of Greek yoghurt (or dairy-free alternative)
- A small handful of almonds
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 3 ice cubes
Add all of the ingredients to your smoothie maker and blend well.
Serve and enjoy!
Bedtime Spinach Smoothie for Weight Loss
For this smoothie you will need:
- 1 cup of Greek yoghurt (or dairy-free alternative)
- 3 cups of spinach leaves
- 1 chopped apple
- 1 – 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- ½ cup of water
Add all the ingredients to your smoothie maker and blend until thick.
Serve and enjoy!
So, there you have two of the best recipes for night-time smoothies to help with weight loss!
Of course, bedtime smoothies that promote weight loss are fantastic! But did you know your night-time smoothie can also be used to improve your sleep?
In fact, sleeping conditions such as sleep apnea can be hugely improved by a bedtime smoothie! Let’s take a quick look at smoothies for sleep apnea!
Smoothies for Sleep Apnea: Recipe for a Restful Night’s Sleep
Whilst certain ingredients in a night-time smoothie can promote weight loss, some ingredients are known to assist with sleep disorders.
Photo credit: marijana1 via Pixabay
In fact, if you suffer from insomnia or even sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing intermittently during sleep, you might want to try a bedtime smoothie. Sleep-inducing foods can be highly effective and preparing the body for sleep! They can easily be whipped up into a smoothie to enjoy before bed!
These ingredients can include, cherries, pistachios and almonds – all of which contain melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep patterns! Combined with a sleep-inducing tea such as chamomile, you’ll be ready to enjoy an undisturbed sleep in no time.
Let’s take a look at a smoothie for sleep apnea, to help you get a more restful night’s sleep!
Smoothie for Sleep Apnea
For this smoothie you will need:
- ½ cup of oats
- 2 cups of spinach
- 1 cup of cold, brewed chamomile tea
- 1 cup of cherry juice (fresh)
- 2 large bananas (frozen is best)
- 1 heaped tablespoon of almond butter
Add all of these ingredients to your smoothie maker and blend well.
Serve before bed as part of a relaxing, evening ritual.
So, as you can see, night-time smoothies aren’t only great for weight loss. There are also plenty of benefits to enjoying a healthy drink before bed!
If you suffer from sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder, there are other home remedies you can try. Check out 7 essential oils that can help you get a better night’s sleep!
7 Essential Oils for Sleep Apnea: Natural Remedies for a Restful Night’s Sleep
The articles on this site are not medical or certified advice, all content that has been created is simply our opinions,experiences and independent research. We strongly advise seeking professional,qualified expert advice from either your GP or a certified medical practitioner before making any changes to do with your health,diet, exercise or habits.
FAQs
Can I drink smoothie at night for weight loss? ›
A nighttime smoothie for weight loss or bedtime smoothie drink is a green smoothie that helps to sleep well. It also helps in cutting down the body fat as it has got healthy green ingredients as well as some other fat cutting ingredients that help digest well at night. They also help in losing weight at the same time.
- #1. Cucumber juice.
- #2. Warm water and lemon juice.
- #3. Milk.
- #4. Green tea.
- #5. Chamomile tea.
Oats and Strawberry Smoothie:
The benefit of having this drink is you can replace a heavy dinner by using oats in a smoothie form. It will keep you fuller for longer and it's also a healthy addition to your diet before bedtime.
- Greek yogurt protein shake. As noted above, having protein before bed—especially if you've worked out beforehand—helps stimulate the repair and rebuilding of muscle (muscle protein synthesis) while you sleep. ...
- Chamomile tea. ...
- Red wine. ...
- Kefir. ...
- Soy-based protein shake. ...
- Water.
- 01/6Weight Loss: Have these drinks to lose weight. People often overlook their sleep pattern when trying to lose weight, but it is an integral part of the weight loss process. ...
- 02/6Milk. ...
- 03/6Grape juice. ...
- 04/6Cinnamon tea. ...
- 05/6Chamomile tea. ...
- 06/6Soaked fenugreek water.
1. Lemon: Although one might think lemons to be acidic because of their sharp and sour taste, this citrus fruit actually has an incredible alkalizing effect on the body. This is great for the health of our liver, which in turns aids digestion, boosts metabolism and burns fat while we sleep.
What fruits burn fat at night? ›Consider Citrus, Kiwi, Melon
The vitamin C powerhouses of citrus, kiwi and melon are also low-calorie options for fruits at night for weight loss. According to the USDA, 1 cup of orange sections has about 85 calories and will give you 96 milligrams of vitamin C and a good boost of folate and potassium.
- Drink 2-3 liters of water daily. According to WebMD.com, 10 minutes after drinking 17oz. ...
- Eating more healthy fats. ...
- Eating small meals every 3-4 hours. ...
- Sleeping 8 hours each night. ...
- Avoiding restrictive diets. ...
- Eating more. ...
- Eating more natural metabolism-boosting foods.
Smoothies. While they make a fantastic healthy breakfast or snack throughout the day, smoothies are not a good idea before bedtime. Unless you're making one without any fruit, a smoothie is loaded with sugars (albeit natural ones) and will have you jumping out of your skin with renewed energy.
Yes, you can. If you make your smoothies the night before, and keep them in the fridge overnight, they will be perfectly good to drink the next day. You can keep them for up to 48 hours but we recommend drinking them before 24 hours if you want to keep maximum nutrition and taste!
Are banana smoothies good at night? ›
Bananas are a great pre-bedtime snack or smoothie ingredient. With their natural levels of melatonin and serotonin, they will help calm your nervous system. Along with magnesium content from the bananas, almond milk and oats can help relax your muscles and prevent restlessness in order to fall into a deep sleep.
Fat burners usually come as a supplement containing ingredients such as caffeine, L-carnitine, green tea, conjugated linoleic acid, forskolin, chromium, Yohimbe, Glucomannan, and Raspberry Ketones.
What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat? ›- Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told Today. ...
- Swap your beef for salmon. ...
- Yogurt. ...
- Red bell peppers. ...
- Broccoli. ...
- Edamame. ...
- Diluted vinegar.
- Apple. Fresh and crunchy apples are packed with healthy flavonoids and fibres that may help burn belly fat. ...
- Tomato. The tangy goodness of tomato may do wonders to cut your belly fat. ...
- Guava. ...
- Strawberries. ...
- Kiwi.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT): It is probably one of the fastest and most efficient ways to lose stomach fat and reduce the overall body fat percentage. HIIT is a high-intensity short period of exercise that usually doesn't exceed 30 minutes, with short breaks of recovery periods of 30-60 seconds.
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew—these are naturally good for metabolism. Watermelon may even help with weight loss because it contains the amino acid arginine, which was found in a study of obese mice to reduce body fat gains by 64 percent.
When should I drink smoothies to lose weight? ›- In the Morning. If you typically have a hard time getting started in the morning, prepping your smoothie ingredients in your blend cup or pitcher in advance makes things easier. ...
- Before and After a Workout. ...
- Lunch On-The-Go. ...
- Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth. ...
- For Sleep and Relaxation.
Smoothies high in protein and fiber may even aid weight loss by keeping you full. If you're looking for a creative way to boost your fruit and veggie intake, smoothies may be the way to go.
How do I make a smoothie the night before? ›Blend and Freeze
Another make-ahead option is to blend a smoothie in the blender, then pour the smoothie into freezer-safe Mason jars, and freeze. This option requires a bit of planning and freezer space. The night before you plan to drink the smoothie, place a smoothie jar in the fridge and defrost overnight.
Yes, oatmeal can help you have a solid night's sleep! The trick is to bring in two key ingredients that offer both melatonin, tryptophan, and other relaxing nutrients like magnesium.
What's the best fruit to eat at night? ›
- Cherries. Cherries (especially sour cherries like the Montmorency variety) are one of the only (and highest) natural food sources of melatonin. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Pineapples. ...
- Oranges. ...
- Avocados. ...
- Kale. ...
- Lettuce. ...
- Tomatoes.
Eating bananas may also aid weight loss as they are high in dietary fibre and other nutrients. A lot of people enjoy banana shakes as a healthy way to help reach their weight loss goals. Banana shakes are a healthy and nutritious drink that can be enjoyed as a convenient breakfast option or a quick snack.
What happens if we eat banana and milk together at night? ›DISTURBS DIGESTION: According to studies, consuming banana and milk together not only disturbs our digestive system as it is heavy but also disrupts our sinus. This leads sinus congestion, cold & cough and other allergies like rashes on the body.
- Green Tea. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Coffee. Coffee is used by people around the world to boost energy levels and lift mood. ...
- Black Tea. Like green tea, black tea contains compounds that may stimulate weight loss. ...
- Water. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks. ...
- Ginger Tea. ...
- High-Protein Drinks. ...
- Vegetable Juice.
- Acai Berries. One of the most antioxidant-rich berries, acais come from the acai palm of South America. ...
- Aloe Vera. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Avocado. ...
- Bee Pollen. ...
- Cacao Nibs. ...
- Cayenne. ...
- Chia Seeds.
"A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that dark green veggies, like broccoli, may help reduce belly fat," says Amidor. Bonus: "The study also found that these veggies may also decrease risk factors for type 2 diabetes." "Beans are the ultimate weight loss food," says Hever.
What two vegetables burn belly fat overnight? ›Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well. There have been some studies done on the subject of the fat burning capabilities of spinach and the very healthy veggie has come out a winner in this category.
Whey protein has been linked to some impressive benefits, including greater weight loss, improved satiety and better body composition ( 32 , 33 ).
What triggers fat burning? ›We've all heard the term 'fat-burning', but how does it really happen in the body? Fat cells in the body release a hormone that signals to the brain that there is enough energy stored. This triggers your body to burn energy stored as fat.
The five best nuts that may help you lose weight are almonds, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, and walnuts. These nuts are rich in several essential nutrients that promote weight loss.
Is it OK to drink a smoothie before bed? ›
While they make a fantastic healthy breakfast or snack throughout the day, smoothies are not a good idea before bedtime. Unless you're making one without any fruit, a smoothie is loaded with sugars (albeit natural ones) and will have you jumping out of your skin with renewed energy.
- In the Morning. If you typically have a hard time getting started in the morning, prepping your smoothie ingredients in your blend cup or pitcher in advance makes things easier. ...
- Before and After a Workout. ...
- Lunch On-The-Go. ...
- Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth. ...
- For Sleep and Relaxation.
If you can digest them, "yogurt and milk both make good night smoothie bases because they have magnesium," she says. Other favorites: bananas, which have tryptophan, and serotonin-packed kiwi, which she says interacts with melatonin to promote a good night's sleep.
Smoothies
It's not always easy to eat raw superfoods. Instead of making yourself a bowl of kale and spinach, blend it all up in a smoothie with your favorite nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. Smoothies are delicious and healthy late-night snacks that allow for some creativity.
The Bottom Line
Whole, minimally processed foods like berries, kiwis, goji berries, edamame, pistachios, oatmeal, plain yogurt and eggs make easy, tasty and healthy late-night snacks. Many of these foods even contain sleep-supportive compounds, including tryptophan, serotonin, melatonin, magnesium and calcium.