Smoothies and Weight Loss

A blender may be the ultimate weight-loss assistant. Smoothies — blended mixtures of milk, low-fat yoghurt, whey protein powder, ice and other good stuff — can act as meal substitutes and as potent snacks. They require a little time; the berries, flavoured whey powder or peanut butter will satisfy your sweet cravings; and their thickness takes up space in your stomach.

A study by the University of Tennessee, reported in Women’s Health, found that people who added three servings of yoghurt a day to their diets lost 61 percent more body fat and 81 percent more stomach fat over 12 weeks than people who didn’t eat yoghurt. Researchers speculate that the calcium helps the body burn fat and limits the amount of fat your body can produce. So drink a 250ml smoothie for breakfast as a meal substitute, or as a snack before or after your workout.