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!
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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!
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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.
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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
