Why are there so many smoothies? Why are there so many smoothies?
Centr Team
17 Jun 2020
Monday: smoothie. Wednesday: smoothie. Snack time: smoothie! There sure are a lot of smoothies in your Centr meal plan. And you may be asking yourself: what’s up with that?
Yes, it’s true, we love a good smoothie. When you’re gearing up for a workout, they won’t weigh you down. If you’ve just slammed a tough training session, you can refresh and refuel in one. But the benefits don’t end there. When it comes to eating well and getting all the nutrition you need – whatever your fitness goal – smoothies really step up to the plate.
Of course, it all comes down to what you’re throwing into your blender. And while our recipes are tailored to your goal, we want to help you understand the role your smoothie plays in the bigger nutrition picture. So Advanced Sports Dietitian Lisa Middleton is here to break down the benefits that smoothies deliver, all with the hit of a button!
Macros give you more
Macronutrients (or macros, as the cool kids call them) are the fats, carbohydrates and proteins that fuel your body. Getting the right amount will help keep you on track to your fitness goals, and smoothies can be a real macronutrient powerhouse. “A smoothie can be a great way to increase your protein intake, through dairy or soy milk, yogurt, protein powder, even cottage cheese," Lisa explains. "And to mix it up a bit, you can also add healthy fats to smoothies via nuts, seeds or avocado.”
Need some help? Find the protein powder that's right for you with our handy guide.
Up your fruit intake
A lot of us could do with a fruit bump to hit the recommended 2-3 servings of fruit per day.
Adding a banana or some berries to a smoothie is the simplest way to get more fruit into your day. In contrast to juicing fruit, adding whole fruits to your smoothie beans you also get the benefit of their fiber content, vitamins and antioxidants.
Bonus: a sweet-tasting smoothie can cater to your cravings and help you avoid the cookie jar. “Getting natural sugars from fruit is a great way to add some sweetness to your diet without needing super high-sugar snacks,” Lisa explains. “The carbohydrates in most fruits is low glycemic index (GI), helping to manage blood glucose levels and keep sugar cravings at bay.”
Tell those sugar cravings "not today!" with our Coconut, Blueberry & Date Smoothie.
Fuel those muscles
We tend to think of smoothies as a weight-loss tool – a meal replacement or mind trick to eat less. But Lisa has news for us: smoothies can be an essential post-workout meal for those looking to add muscle.
“Super Smoothies are an essential part of the Centr meal plan for anyone looking to build muscle," she says. “They’re a bit like an extra nutrient-dense meal, rich in carbs and protein, to help meet energy needs for training and support muscle gain goals.”
Even better, a refreshing smoothie is a much more palatable way of getting the extra calories and macronutrients muscle builders need without having to stomach excessive volumes of food at every meal. There’s only so much chicken and rice you can take.
The best fast food
Rushing out the door? Need a fast post-workout refuel so you can get back to your day? Smoothies are about as fast as healthy eating can get. “Smoothies are a great option for a quick and convenient meal or snack,” Lisa says.
If you’re not a morning person, you can pre-assemble your ingredients the night before, then just add milk and hit the blender. Or you can take your pre-made smoothie to the gym in an insulated bottle, ready to shake and drink. Now that’s convenience!
BIY is always best
If you can, always make your own smoothies. Not only are they super easy to prepare, but you will also know exactly what’s going into it – which is not always the case when buying a smoothie off the shelf (beware processed sugars, fats and ‘mystery’ ingredients!).
Your local juice bar may be great, but are their smoothie ingredients tailored to your goal? By going BIY (blend it yourself), you can make sure you’re getting only the goodness you need.
