This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.
I started making weight loss smoothies after having two kids back-to-back, when stress-eating Goldfish and complete exhaustion made losing weight feel impossible. These smoothie recipes use low-calorie greens and nutrient-dense fruits to jumpstart metabolism and support fat loss.
Table of Contents
Why Smoothies Help You Lose Weight
Smoothies can be a great tool for weight loss due to their versatility and nutritional density. I started blending a smoothie each morning while doing my 21-Day Cleanse. The natural energy boost gave me motivation to start working out, and within just a week, I began to see results. Some days I even swapped in a second smoothie as a meal replacement smoothie, because it tasted so good! Here’s why they work:
- Fiber keeps you full: Blend a variety of fruits (banana, strawberries, oranges) and leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, chard) together to create a high-fiber drink that’ll keep you full and satisfied.
- Simple portion control: Measure out the ingredients before you add to the blender to make portion control easy.
- Curb false hunger cues: All my weight loss smoothie recipes use 1 cup of liquid to hydrate your cells, curb hunger, and help your body function properly.
- Quick meal replacement: Use a combination of plant-based protein and healthy fats to create an ideal meal replacement.
- Burns fat: Use ingredients, like green tea and grapefruit, that are packed with nutrients and scientifically proven to burn fat.
Save This for Later!
Enter your info below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox to save for later.
▶ Want healthy eating to stick? Start with my free 5-Day Smoothie Challenge for daily recipes, simple tips, and a tracker to build the habit — or jump into the 21-Day Cleanse for a full step-by-step reset.
What Do You Put in a Weight Loss Smoothie?
Focus on blending ingredients for your fat-burning smoothies that are scientifically proven to burn fat and boost metabolism, which leads to weight loss. It’s important that the calories we consume are quality calories, especially if we’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or improve our overall health.
- Soluble fiber: Soluble fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, oats and legumes, help slow down food as it passes through your digestive system. This helps keep you full, so you naturally eat less.
- High-protein: Adding a plant-based protein powder or unsweetened Greek yogurt to your smoothies can increase your protein intake. If you’re doing HIIT workouts, using smoothies as a post-workout protein weight loss is highly effective in burning belly fat and promoting muscle recovery.
- Low-sugar foods: Using fruit as your natural sweeter is a great way to cut down on sugar (and avoid the highly processed refined sugars).
- Green tea: Using chilled green tea as your smoothie base can help boost your metabolism and energy levels, thanks to the natural caffeine and antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate.
How to Make and Store Smoothies
- Most smoothies can be made the night before, so breakfast is ready when you are. Pour your blended smoothie into an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Fill the jar as full as possible to limit air exposure, then give it a good stir before drinking.
- Make frozen meal prep smoothie packs to have pre-made bags of smoothies in your freezer to make when you want.
Healthy Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes
I can’t wait for you to see just how tasty and simple weight loss can be with a daily smoothie habit. When you start your day nourishing your body, you begin to crave healthier foods all day long. The more healthy foods we put in our body, the less room there is for junk food.
Chia Seed Smoothie
Meal Replacement Smoothie
Vanilla Matcha Smoothie
Best Green Smoothie
Creamy Banana Smoothie (high-protein)
Cherry Collagen Smoothie
Avocado Banana Smoothie
Low-Calorie Zucchini Smoothie
Healthy Mixed Berry Smoothie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Cherry Vanilla Smoothie
Vanilla Peach Yogurt Smoothie
Apple Celery Smoothie
Healthy Blueberry Smoothie
Pineapple Ginger Smoothie
Thick Keto Smoothie Bowl
Creamy Mango Smoothie
Savory Cauliflower Smoothie
Vanilla Flaxseed Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Fat-Burning Ingredient Combinations
Certain food combinations can help burn belly fat and lead to overall weight loss. I try to use these combinations in my fat-burning smoothies recipes to get the best weight loss results.
- Green apple + nut butter: Apples are chock-full of fiber, a nutrient that can help reduce visceral fat, while nut butter adds healthy fats that keep you feeling full and support vitamin absorption.
- Avocados + kale: This leafy green can help you slim down by filling you up and giving you a healthy dose of vitamins K and A.
- Green tea + grapefruit: Blend grapefruit into your smoothie along with chilled green tea, which contains pectin and polyphenols. Both of these have been proven to help people feel fuller and lose weight, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Food.
- Cacao + almonds: Packed with flavanols, cacao can prevent people from gaining weight, according to a study published in BMJ, and may increase energy expenditure.
- Oats + blueberries: Oats are high in fiber, helping you stay full. Toss in some berries and it’s a power combo! A study out of the University of Michigan found that rats who had blueberry powder mixed into their meals had less abdominal fat than rats on a berry-free diet after 90 days.
Want to try these combos at home? Check out my guide on how to make a smoothie to blend them perfectly every time.
How to Make a Weight Loss Smoothie
I’ve created so many weight loss smoothies, and while I love a lot of them, the one I’ve included below is hands-down my favorite. It’s packed with metabolism-boosting greens, fiber, and superfoods that help curb cravings and keep me feeling energized. If you’re looking for a go-to smoothie to support your weight loss journey, this is the one! Here’s how to make it:
- Fill your blender with kale, cucumber, celery, and cooled green tea.
- Puree together until the ingredients reach a smooth consistency.
- Add grapefruit and frozen pineapple. If you want to lower the bitterness of the grapefruit, be sure to remove the inner membrane in addition to the peel. If you can’t tolerate grapefruit, swap with oranges and lemon. If using fresh, follow my guide to cut pineapple like a pro.
- Blend the ingredients until combined.
- Pour into a glass and serve chilled for the most refreshing taste.
If you make this fat-burning smoothie for weight loss, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Dietary Adjustments & Substitutions
Need to swap an ingredient or accommodate a food allergy? Click the button below for tailored suggestions just for you:
Fat-Burning Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale
- 1 cucumber chopped
- ½ grapefruit peeled and seeded
- ½ cup green tea chilled
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 1 cup pineapple frozen
- 3 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Place kale, cucumber, grapefruit and green tea into blender.
- Puree on high-speed until smooth.
- Add celery and pineapple to blender.
- Blend again on high-speed until everything is pureed.
Video
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Swap grapefruit with 1/2 naval orange and 1/4 lemon wedge.
- The pith and peel of the grapefruit are extremely bitter but are beneficial in small amounts. To lessen the bitterness of the grapefruit, remove the fruit from the inner membranes as well as peel before using.
- Drink 1-2 smoothies a day as meal replacements to get the weight loss benefits you’re looking for.
- Adding homemade protein powder is a great way to add high-quality protein that won’t affect the delicious taste of the smoothie.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Swapping a meal for a smoothie can be a great way to lose weight. You’ll want to make sure your smoothie is packed with fiber, low in sugar, and under 500 calories to help with portion control. Don’t add any sugars or sweeteners and choose a liquid base that is unsweetened. To keep you full, make sure your smoothie has healthy fats and protein to make it a complete meal replacement.
Look for a smoothie recipe that contains grapefruit and green tea to help burn fat. My fat-burning smoothie has these specific fat-loss smoothie ingredients that boost the metabolism, plus healthy fats that are necessary for your body to break down carbs and protein
A good smoothie with protein, healthy fat, and whole-food carbs is a great combo for a healthy snack or meal that can promote weight loss. These weight-loss smoothies contain a variety of spinach, mint, celery, green tea, grapefruit, pineapple, and avocado.
Look for grapefruit, pineapple, mint, celery, leafy greens, and herbs to help burn fat, especially around the belly. Try blending them together into a delicious smoothie using quality smoothie blenders to enjoy them easily and effectively.
The best way to get weight loss results is to be consistent— and a daily meal replacement smoothie is perfect for that. Swap your typical breakfast for a fat-burning smoothie to kick-start your weight loss goals. This high-fiber low-sugar recipe is truly a healthy smoothie in 5 minutes or less.
Juicing and blending can both help with weight loss, yet only one is sustainable for the long run: smoothies. We believe committing to drinking 1-2 fat-burning smoothies as a meal replacement is the most effective way to hit your weight loss goals and maintain them for life.
Yes, fruit smoothies can be great for weight loss when made with whole fruits instead of fruit juices. Whole fruits contain fiber, which helps slow digestion, keeps you full longer, and prevents blood sugar spikes. In contrast, fruit juices strip away fiber, leaving mostly sugar, which can lead to energy crashes and increased hunger. For a weight-loss-friendly smoothie, use whole fruits, balance with protein and healthy fats, and avoid added sugars.
Smoothies that support weight loss are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and metabolism-boosting ingredients. Look for recipes with whole fruits, leafy greens, protein, and ingredients like green tea, grapefruit, and avocado to help burn fat and keep you full. Avoid added sugars and fruit juices, which can spike blood sugar and lead to cravings. Check out my #1 fat-burning smoothie recipe below for a delicious, weight-loss-friendly option!
Hi what quantity is a cup, a teacup?Thanks
Hey Chris – great question! We like to say a cup of spinach is about a good handful.
What does this taste like? Is it going to be sweet or veggie tasting?
Hey Sandra – While the pineapple does add a touch of sweetness, this is def not as sweet as other recipes containing things like banana, fig, maple syrup, etc. It’s more toward the savory or veggie end of things. 🙂
What would be a good substitute for similar benefits as the grapefruit and orange as I am allergic to both?
A granny smith apple!
I just made a different smoothie that had spinach, cilantro, ginger, frozen pineapple/avocado, lime juice, and a granny smith. It was amazing. Aparently granny smiths are fat burners too, from what I had read. I assume they would be great in any green smoothie.
Hi there Noella,
Great question! You can totally swap out orange or grapefruit using tangerine (if you can have those), papaya or mango. Check out our Rawkstar Substitution Guide for more helpful swaps!
I run cross country meets in the morning around 7-8 but I still need to eat something before I leave to have some energy when I run. Should I have the smoothie before I leave or would that mess with my stomach? Thanks!
Hey Aria. I used to run cross country! I would stick with oatmeal, toast with banana and almond butter 1-2 hours before the race and then have my smoothie after the finish line. Store it in a thermos so it stays cold. This is actually one of my fav post run smoothies. Good luck with training and your meets!
Can lemon be substituted for grapefruit? My medication prohibits eating or drinking grapefruit. thanks.
The recipe sounds really good. I read many comments but didn’t find any that said whether they lost weight. Did anyone lose weight using the Fat Burning Weight Loss Smoothie? If someone did, how many pounds per week?
Hey Jo— if you’re really wanting to lose weight, it’s about consistency. Healthy habits is how you gain momentum and the weight will continue to fall off. So a daily green smoothie just like this one is a great way to go. If you’re wanting more guidance and support, check out our 21 day cleanse which starts with a daily green smoothie, yet adds in plant-based snacks and meals as well. The results are incredible and you learn how to eat in a way that is tasty and heals the body in incredible ways.
It’s not quite that simple, though it does work. Time of day is also crucially important. Eating right before bed for example causes weight gain beyond “calories in calories out” because melatonin (the sleep chemical) naturally causes the body to store more fats
I agree Dean— there’s soooo many reason why we gain and lose weight. Yet embracing a simple healthy habit and doing it consistently does lead to long term results that stick. When you swap a meal with a smoothie just like this one, you are adding is tons of goodness that will help burn fat and feel amazing. Some other things that help are hydration, movement, sleep and mindset. They all play a role in getting our body to function at its best. I love talking about this stuff, so thanks for bringing it up!
What time of the day is best to have this smoothie? I usually like to eat oatmeal in the morning, should I switch it up? Also I have vegan protein soy powder, do you think this could be added into the smoothie? (:
Hi Pasha! Most of us love drinking our smoothies in the morning but really, any time of day that works for you is the right time to have your smoothie. If you want to switch it up you can or you can have your smoothie first and a little later, your oatmeal.
I love this smoothie it is one of the best I ever had and yes the avacado curves my appetite. Thank you for sharing:)
You’re welcome, Drea!
Hi, can a large batch of this be made, so that I can have it pre-made and drink it every morning before work? Or will it spoil after a day? Thanks
Hi Jaime! You can def make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge and/or freezer. It will last 2-3 days in the fridge and a week or more in the freezer. 🙂
Can i use matcha powder instead of green tea? If yes what liquid should i use it with? Also is this ok to drink if im breastfeeding? Im 5 months postapstum and want to loose some weight. I just heard mint reduces milk supply. Please let me know. Thanks.
Hey Tanya. Yes, you can use matcha green tea powder. Just sub water for your liquid base. As far as your other question, we’re green smoothie rawkstars but we’re not doctors and we encourage you to check with your doctor/ob-gyn/nutritionist since they know you, your body and your baby best. Happy blending! 🙂
What are some tasty smoothies with food that people aren’t allergic?
Selina, it just depends on what foods you are allergic to. We have tons of awesome recipes, I’m sure you can find some with ingredients that agree with you. 🙂 https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/smoothies
Hello, what can I use to replace the mint leaves? Can I use matcha green tea powder instead of the actual tea ? Can I use avocado paste instead?
Hey Keona!
1. There’s not really a good replacement for the mint leaves so if you don’t like them or can’t find them in your grocery store, you can leave them out.
2. Yes, you can. Use 1/2 cup of water for your liquid base.
3. Do you mean homemade or store bought? I think either way, you’ll want to make sure there’s just avocado (plus maybe a little lemon or lime juice) and no other added ingredients.
Happy blending!
Thank you for this recipe! Looking forward to trying it. Is there any liquid additive to this ? i.e. water or coconut water?
Thanks again!
Hey Anabelle! The 1/2 cup of green tea is your liquid base. Plus, the 1/2 grapefruit (when blended) will add a nice amount of liquid.
When is the best time to have it in a day?
Hey Shemeer! You can drink this smoothie in place of a meal, with a meal, or as a snack. As long as you are drinking at least one green smoothie each day, the time of day doesn’t matter. Do what works best for your schedule! 🙂
Last question for now lol , so do i have to use more ingredients than i would for a single serving? My blender will make at least 2-3 servings at once.
Keona, we want to help make green smoothies quick and easy for you so keep those questions coming if you need to! (We aren’t Difficult Green Smoothies, after all! 😀 ) Let’s say you want to make 3 servings at once. Take the recipe, multiply the ingredients by 3, add them to your blender and blend away. Then, divide your smoothie among 3 air-tight containers (we love mason jars for this). If you’re making them for that day or the next day, they are ok to store in the fridge. If you are making them for later in the week, then def store them in the freezer. So you could put 1-2 in the fridge and the rest in the freezer.
Hello , how do i make a week supply (7 days) without having to make it one smoothie at a time? I work crazy hours so i don’t have time to make one everyday
Hey Keona! You can do a couple things: 1. Prep a week’s worth of smoothies and put your prepped bags/containers in the freezer. When you’re ready for each day’s smoothie, take one out of the freezer, blend it and enjoy! 2. Blend a week of smoothies, put them in freezer-safe jars or containers, store them in the freezer, and take one out each day to drink. (Remember to account for time to allow the smoothie to thaw.) 🙂
So do i make them one at a time ? Using the steps ?
Depending on the size of your blender, you can make multiple servings (3-5 or more) at a time and then divide them among your mason jars or other airtight containers. Or you can prep and cut up all the fruits and veggies and make your freezer bags in assembly-line style.
Hello is there a way i can do these smoothies as a juice? My husband likes juices and not smoothies , i enjoy the smoothies
Hey Keona! I’d say probably just put the ingredients in a juicer. But I do want to go over a few pieces of juicing vs. blending info for you:
There are definitely arguments for both methods. What we can agree on is that blending and juicing are great ways to give your body incredible nutrients. Juicing will give you a more concentrated serving of nutrients, which can be a good and bad thing. This means that if a fruit has vitamin C in it, you’ll get much more vitamin C by extracting the juice because you need to use more fruit to get a full glass. The downside is that you aren’t getting the WHOLE fruit. You’ll be missing out on the fiber and all the other nutrients housed in the fleshy parts of the fruit. Blending gives you the whole fruit. Your body will be receiving ALL the nutrients. We also think that blending is less complicated than using a juicer, which is the primary reason we choose blending. We are, in fact, Simple Green Smoothies. 🙂
For more info on the two, check out this article: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/juicer-vs-blender
Hiya
Am a newbie to green smoothies am on medication so can’t take grapefruit will this affect the calorie loss if I sub an orange.
Also do I need to drink this everyday to see the benefits am trying to figure out what is the best ones to use for weight loss they also will be replacing my breakfast advice appreciated
Thanks
Hi Maeve! You can definitely sub an orange for the grapefruit in this smoothie, many folks have done that. It will affect the way the smoothie works a little bit. Keep all the other ingredients the same and you should be fine.
You can drink this smoothie each morning for breakfast if you like. Some folks like to have the same thing every day and some like to mix it up. We have a ton of other great recipes if you don’t want to drink the same thing every morning. Check out this post on Breakfast Smoothies for Weight Loss (https://simplegreensmoothies.com/breakfast-smoothies-for-weight-loss) and this one on Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss (https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss).
Hi there..
Can i swop the avo with something else?
Hey Liezl-ann! You can use banana in place of avocado but I’d suggest using a slightly green banana to keep the sugar content lower.