The perfect time for a green smoothie | Warrington Health and Fitness Club - Gym, Spa, Restaurant (2024)

The value of drinking your fruits and vegetables cannot be underestimated. Smoothies and shakes are a great way to get all the vitamins, minerals and supplements you need for a healthy lifestyle. Perfect for replenishing your body with nutrition it needs.

Green smoothies – packed with dark leafy greens like kale and spinach – are a great choice.

They’re a good source of alkalinity, which is needed to balance out the acidity common in most diets, and full of iron, vitamins C & K plus a host of other important minerals and nutrients.

You’ve got the perfect smoothie – now you need the perfect time to drink it. Because the real benefits you get from a green smoothie depends on the time of day you drink one.

Avoid drinking with meals

The main purpose of drinking green juice is to get all the nutritional benefits as quickly as possible. When you have a meal at the same time, your stomach will have other contents it needs to digest. That means the absorption of the nutrients will be delayed.

It may also mean you don’t get the full benefit of every single nutrient in the juice either. As there’s other food and liquid in your stomach, some of the nutrients may get consumed by the bacteria in your gut alongside the other contents, rather than getting absorbed into your blood stream.

Don’t replace dinner

Because these drinks contain all the calories, nutrients and protein (especially if you have add-ins) that you need, you might choose to use them as a meal replacement. For breakfast and lunch, they are quick, easy and can curb your hunger until your next meal.

But for dinner, green drinks can be a little more problematic as a meal replacement. Willpower wise, dinner is often the hardest meal to skip, especially if you enjoy going out with friends and family. Even just sitting and sharing a meal at home can be a very important part of the day for many families.

You may also have eaten a full, heavy meal at lunch, if you’re having a juice drink for dinner, which means that your stomach and gut could still be digesting that food. This will hold up the digestion of your green smoothie, and could lead to bloating or gas.

Breakfast is best

Drinking your green juice on an empty stomach is therefore the best option, and there’s no better time to do it than first thing in the morning, at least an hour before or after a coffee too, to avoid any acidic interaction with the juice.

It’s the best way to absorb all the nutrients each drink contains, and it’s also the best time to drink one as a meal replacement. Breakfast can often be an unhealthy meal - toast, pastries, cereal - so a gulp of green juice instead gives you all the calories you need, and the sweetness of added fruits should stave off any cravings for snacks until lunchtime!

Want to try one for yourself? See what’s on the menu at FUEL.

The perfect time for a green smoothie | Warrington Health and Fitness Club - Gym, Spa, Restaurant (2024)

FAQs

What is the best time to drink a green smoothie? ›

Drinking your green juice on an empty stomach is therefore the best option, and there's no better time to do it than first thing in the morning, at least an hour before or after a coffee too, to avoid any acidic interaction with the juice.

What is the best time to consume a smoothie? ›

It doesn't matter if you are a fitness enthusiast or not; one of the best times to drink a smoothie is in the morning. If you work out in the morning or you have a hard time starting your day, it would greatly benefit you to start your day with one.

Should I drink a green smoothie before or after workout? ›

Aim to have your greens drink around 30-45 minutes before your workout. This allows your body to absorb the nutrients effectively and provides that extra energy boost for your exercise session. You can also opt for a greens post-workout to replenish your body with essential nutrients, aiding in recovery.

How often should you drink green detox smoothie? ›

Try to have one smoothie serving every two to three hours throughout the day. Avoid all coffee, alcohol, and solid food. You should quickly feel energized and see less puffiness (inflammation) in your body and face after just a few hours.

What happens if I drink a green smoothie every day? ›

Drinking a green smoothie a day can help you increase the amount of iron and vitamin K in your system. These nutrients are essential for both red blood cell production and healthy bones. Green smoothies are also packed with antioxidants and immune-boosting nutrients.

Does green smoothies help with belly fat? ›

Shai's team had dieters swap the meat from a Mediterranean dinner for one green smoothie made with nutrient-rich aquatic plants, similar to seaweed, to boost their daily polyphenol intake. The results: People who did this daily lost more weight and more belly inches than those on a standard American diet.

Is it better to drink green juice on an empty stomach? ›

Enter green juices, especially high in vitamin C, to provide an almost instant energy boost. Unlike stimulants, the release is also gradual, so there is no risk of a crash later during the day. Drinking green juices on an empty stomach are an excellent source of clean energy delivered directly to your bloodstream.

Are smoothies good to eat before bed? ›

A small, low-sugar smoothie with sleep-promoting ingredients like cherries or chamomile can be a good choice. However, larger portions or high-sugar smoothies may lead to blood sugar spikes and interfere with sleep.

How long should you wait to eat after drinking a smoothie? ›

Enjoy...then wait. The brain can take 20 to 40 minutes to release satiety (feeling full) hormones, so wait before eating or drinking more — maybe you won't be hungry.

How long after a smoothie can I go to the gym? ›

It is best to have a smoothie at least 30 minutes to an hour before a workout so that your body has enough time for digestion. If you're looking to drink a smoothie as part of your post-workout routine, make sure first that you've rehydrated yourself by drinking plenty of water.

Is it OK to drink green smoothie before bed? ›

Eating a light snack that combines protein and carbs is a great way to promote a restful night of sleep. This delicious recipe from our friends at Simple Green Smoothies is the perfect post-dinner drink to help your body begin to wind down and prepare for sound sleep.

Is it OK to workout on an empty stomach? ›

However, research has shown that exercising on an empty stomach may not be ideal: Exercising on an empty stomach could make the body use protein as fuel, and protein is needed to build and repair muscles.

Are green smoothies actually healthy? ›

Green smoothies are nutrient-rich blends of fruits and vegetables. They've become a popular way for people to meet their recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Unlike juices, green smoothies retain the beneficial fiber content from whole foods.

What are the side effects of green smoothie cleanse? ›

Too many oxalates can lead to negative health effects, including kidney stones and even kidney failure ( 15 ). A handful of recent cases of acute kidney failure have been attributed to excess oxalate intake from green juices and smoothies included in cleanse or fasting protocols ( 16 , 17 ).

Can a smoothie replace a meal? ›

Whether or not a smoothie can replace a meal really depends on what's in it. If you're only adding frozen fruit and water, then that's not a meal; that's a light, refreshing snack. In general, a meal should have a few food groups. I recommend trying to have carbs, protein, fat, and fiber at meals whenever possible.

Is it better to drink a smoothie before bed or in the morning? ›

Yes, you can drink a smoothie at night, but it's important to consider the ingredients and the time of consumption. If the smoothie is made with high-sugar fruits or sweetened yogurt, it can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which can disrupt your sleep.

Is it good to drink green smoothies at night? ›

While green smoothies can help you wake up and get energized for the day, they can also help you sleep. This bedtime smoothie is full of soothing ingredients that will help prepare your body for a great night's sleep. Gone are the days of tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep.

How many green smoothies should you drink a day for weight loss? ›

The green smoothies should contain around 400 calories per serving size of 20 oz, 1 pint or 500 ml of volume. The key to losing weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn. You can have a green smoothie twice a day for weight loss.

What not to put in a green smoothie? ›

What should NOT go into a green smoothie?
  1. Unripe fruits - not only are these not good for the body, but they can really ruin the smoothie flavor. ...
  2. Added sugars or sugar substitutes - in any form: honey, thick juices, maple syrup. ...
  3. Dairy products - such as yogurt, cottage cheese or milk.

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