Is it OK to blend fruit?

insider.com - Starting your day with a smoothie might not be as healthy as you think

Is it better to eat beetroot raw or cooked?

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets. Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets (especially in...

Last updated Mar 2, 2021

How do I burn fat off my stomach?

To battle belly fat: Eat a healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of...

Last updated Jul 12, 2022

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Smoothies have all the sugar and calories without all the fiber of whole fruits. Fiber helps with satiety, which is important for weight management as well as the prevention of some chronic diseases. If a smoothie is the only way you're going to get fruits and vegetables into your diet, don't go overboard and watch out for added sugars.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Top editors give you the stories you want — delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Loading Something is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A cup of blended fruit may seem like a super healthy way to start your day, and it's certainly got some genuine advantages over less nutrient-dense, more dessert-like breakfast foods. But smoothies don't actually have the golden health halo they're often made out to. We spoke with some nutrition experts about some of the reasons smoothies don't deserve their reputation as a "health food."

Some of the fiber naturally present in whole fruit is pulverized

Blended fruit isn't nutritionally equivalent to the same fruit left whole, according to some experts. Although, of course, some properties remain present, including soluble fiber, blending can break down insoluble fiber. "The reason I usually recommend eating whole vegetables and fruits, rather than drinking them, is that the fibrous and pulpy parts contain valuable nutrients, and also serve to fill you up," Dr. Alka Gupta, co-director of the Integrative Health & Wellbeing Program at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine told INSIDER. "Soluble and insoluble fibers are crucial for the digestive process — they ensure that we digest and absorb nutrients and sugars slowly, avoiding a quick spike in blood sugars. They also add bulk to our stool, and help to keep our gastrointestinal system moving regularly." It's well-known that fruits and veggies contain lots of vitamins, but their insoluble fiber content is an unsung hero. It plays a role in weight management and may help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes. Gupta also said that fiber is important for cardiovascular health. "When it comes to breakfast, you want to make sure that it is high in fiber and rich in protein to keep you satiated for the rest of the morning," Leah Kaufman, MS, registered dietitian at NYU Langone's Weight Management Program told INSIDER. A smoothie's protein content can be boosted with nuts, nut butter, or protein powder, but if not, the lack of protein and fiber combined could lead to you feeling hungry again before lunch. But it's worth noting that more research is needed about how your body digests insoluble fiber once it's broken down in this form. Some experts agree blending reduces fiber content, while others are skeptical.

What can I drink to flush my?

5 Wonderful Drinks to Cleanse and Detox Your Body Mint tea. Mint leaves contain essential oils such as menthol and menthone. ... Ginger and lemon...

Last updated Jul 29, 2020

What is the least healthy fruit?

1–4. Highest in sugar Dates. Dates are known for their sweet, almost caramel-like flavor. ... Dried fruit. Some of the most common varieties of...

Last updated Jul 13, 2018

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Smoothies often contain a lot of sugar and calories

More isn't always better, even when it comes to generally healthy foods like fruit and veggies. Kaufman estimated that the average smoothie from a smoothie shop may use up to six times the recommended portion of fruit, such as three whole bananas to the recommended one-half. "When we combine these foods into a smoothie, it becomes quite easy to drink a much higher amount of calories and sugar (from just the foods themselves), than when we're eating the whole foods," Gupta said. "When you think about a fruit-based 20-ounce smoothie, it probably contains a lot more fruit than we'd usually eat in one sitting." This volume, combined with the satiety factor you're missing out on from the fiber that's been destroyed, means that smoothies make it easier to overdo it on calories and sugar. Both store-bought and homemade smoothies could include added sugars as well, such as in the form of pre-sweetened fruit juices or yogurts. All of that said, there could still be a place for smoothies in a healthy diet Be aware of the sugar content of your smoothies and drink them in moderation. Melissa d'Arabian via AP If your choices for a quick breakfast on the go are limited, however, a smoothie might not be the worst choice. "If you can't always sit down and include healthy foods, combining them into a well-rounded smoothie can be an option — if done in a healthy way, it may be better than not eating them at all," Dr. Gupta said. And smoothies, according to Dr. Gupta, are much better than juices, which have even less fiber. So if a smoothie is your best bet for squeezing some fruits and vegetables into your diet, that's probably OK — just don't go overboard. And per Kaufman's advice, add a portion of protein as well. "Just be careful about how often you're having them, the amount that you're having, the sugar content of what you're adding, and added sugars/ingredients," Dr. Gupta said.

insider.com - Starting your day with a smoothie might not be as healthy as you think

Is popcorn healthy or junk food?

When it's air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is an efficiently healthy snack. That's because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains...

Last updated Jul 6, 2021

What is the first best thing to eat in the morning?

While breakfast options abound, the best choices are high in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Many nutritious, healthy foods...

Last updated Mar 2, 2020

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

What food washes out sugar from blood?

Eggs, peanut butter, beans, legumes, protein smoothies, fatty fish, and nuts are all high in protein. An increase in healthy fat intake also helps...

Last updated Dec 19, 2020

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Are fried eggs healthy for weight loss?

Healthiest Way To Eat Eggs For Weight Loss So for weight loss, fried eggs are probably the least healthy. This leaves out boiling, poaching,...

Last updated Sep 28, 2019