Healthy Morning Breakfast Drinks to Help with Weight Loss
Perhaps your morning hours are hectic, or you do not feel particularly hungry when you wake. If you are trying to lose weight, however, breakfast is key. Eating breakfast prevents hunger later, increases your energy and puts you on track to make smarter food choices throughout your day. Consider whipping up a tasty, healthful and quick breakfast drink to start your morning on the right foot.
PB and Banana
Peanut butter and other nut butters, such as almond, cashew and soy nut butter, are loaded with protein, which helps you feel fuller for a longer period. Blend 2 tbsp. of your favorite nut butter with a medium banana, 6 oz. of fat-free milk and 1 tbsp. honey for a breakfast drink that is low in calories but high in protein, nutrition and flavor.
Oatmeal Smoothie
You've probably eaten oatmeal for breakfast, but you might not have ever considered drinking it. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which slows digestion and helps you feel satiated until lunch time. Scoop three heaping tablespoons of uncooked oats into a cup of apple juice. Add a frozen banana or a cup of vanilla yogurt and a drizzle of light maple syrup. Blend it all together for a sweet, satisfying breakfast beverage.
Drink Your Veggies
Green smoothies are chock-full of vitamins, high in fiber, naturally low in calories and sweet enough to please the pickiest palate, making them an ideal breakfast drink when you are trying to shed pounds. In addition, the combinations are endless. Blend three parts fresh fruit with two parts leafy green vegetables in a blender juicer, adding fresh fruit juice if the mix requires more liquid. Try combinations such as apples and pears with kale or bananas and berries with spinach.
Sip Some Squash
Another vegetable-based breakfast beverage idea is to use pumpkin in a smoothie. These orange gourds are fat-free, low in calories, fiber rich and scrumptious. Blend 1/2-cup canned or pureed pumpkin with a cup of milk and a few ice cubes. Stir in 2 tsp. brown sugar or sugar substitute, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg. It will taste like you are sipping a slice of pumpkin pie.