A fruit smoothie diet is an eating plan that features fruit smoothies as the main focus, using the shake-like drinks as a way to satisfy hunger while cutting out calories. There are many such diets to choose from, and while they all have much in common, there are also some basic differences. For example, one fruit smoothie diet may recommend consuming fruit smoothies with every meal, helping the dieter to feel full, while another suggests that the drink be used to replace one or two meals each day, drastically reducing the amount of calories consumed.
One of the more appealing aspects of a fruit smoothie diet for many people is that it gives them the ability to create each fruit smoothie from a wide variety of natural fruits. This can help to eliminate diet boredom since one drink can be made of fresh strawberries while the next may contain papaya and mango. The possible combinations are almost endless, offering the adventuresome a chance to experiment with favorite flavors, while those who like consistency can keep things simple and stick with one or two kinds of fruit.
Some people make the mistake of adding too many extras when preparing meals on the fruit smoothie diet. Sweeteners can add a lot of calories, and some dieters add honey or molasses, mistakenly thinking those are acceptable because they are natural ingredients. Experienced dieters suggest that anyone wishing to succeed on a fruit smoothie diet should use plain, unsweetened yogurt, juice, fresh or frozen fruit, and skim milk.
It is possible to follow a fruit smoothie diet and still add other ingredients to the smoothie recipe if those ingredients are chosen carefully; these additional items should be low calorie, which means that for the most part there should not be any added sugar, either processed or unprocessed. It can, however, help to add ingredients that add bulk to the smoothie, as these can make the drink more filling and keep the dieter feeling satisfied longer. Bran, flax, and high fiber vegetables can all be blended in without adding too much to the overall calorie count and without detracting from the fruit flavor of the drink. Advocates of a fruit smoothie diet claim that drinking smoothies that are properly made helps to ensure that dieters are getting essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding other ingredients, particularly a protein powder such as unsweetened whey, can provide additional benefits for the dieter, helping to build lean muscle while cutting down on fat.