Smoothies have long been a hallmark healthy food choice, but not all smoothies are created equal. In fact, if you’re replacing your meal with one because you’re watching your waistline, the thickness of your smoothie may matter even more than how many calories it contains, according to a new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study looked at 15 men, who were each given four different milkshakes to drink. They ranged in two things: calories and viscosity. The drinks were between 100 and 500 calories each, and some were thick while others were thin.
Unsurprisingly, the drinks that were low in calories left their stomachs the fastest, leaving them hungry again. What mattered the most though was the thickness of the drinks. Even participants who drank the lowest-calorie thick drink reported feeling fuller than those who drank the high-calorie thin drink.
The study didn’t look at weight loss specifically, but this “phantom fullness,” as the researchers coined it, could help people stick to low-calorie foods while still feeling satiated. So to maximize your fullness after your morning smoothie, make sure it’s a thick one!
Need some inspiration at the blender? Try one of these five easy and healthy breakfast smoothies. And to maximize the health benefits of your smoothies, try adding one or two of these six healthy ingredients for an extra boost of nutrition.
[h/t: Cooking Light]
Photo by my little red suitcase 