Blueberry Basil Weight Loss Smoothie

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This blueberry basil smoothie is packed with nutritious ingredients that will help to banish bloat and promote weight loss!

It’s around this time of year when all the health and fitness mags start to publish articles with the best tips/foods/moves for weight loss.

Back in the day I used to buy magazine after magazine hoping to learn some new trick that I hadn’t already heard of before. Luckily I’ve learned over the years that there’s no magic ingredient, meal, meal plan or drink that is the key to weight loss.

Weight loss occurs when your body expends more energy than you consume, but it’s not always that simple because there are so many other factors to consider including your sleep, stress, hormones and more!

Blueberry weight loss smoothie with basil on top in a glass Weck Jar.

All that said, the smoothie recipe I’m sharing here today can totally help with weight loss, but it’s not a magic solution. It’s just a balanced smoothie with protein, healthy fat and fiber-rich carbs.

What Makes a Good Weight Loss Smoothie?

There are a few ingredients that set weight loss smoothies apart from others! Here’s what I recommend thinking about when creating a smoothie that’s good for weight loss:

  • protein: protein is king because it not only keeps you feeling full but also helps build and repair muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism and aids in burning fat. In terms of adding protein to smoothies, there are plenty of options but the two sources I use most often are protein powder and Greek yogurt! Check out my fave protein powders here.
  • fiber: adding fiber-rich foods like chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, leafy greens, and oats to your smoothies can help prevent big spikes in blood sugar and will also keep you feeling full.
  • healthy fats: healthy fats from nut butters, avocado, and or seeds can help slow digestion, which keeps you feeling full longer and helps to prevent mindless snacking and overeating.
  • low sugar: being mindful about the sugar content in your smoothies is key. Sugar from fruit is much better than adding extra sweeteners like cane sugar, honey, orange juice and/or sweetened yogurt that only serve to add empty calories. I remember when I learned that Tropical Smoothie Cafe adds 1/2 cup of sugar to their smoothies… my mind was blown. Frozen fruit gives smoothies plenty of sweetness without the need for additional sugar!
Lemon, almond butter, flaxseed, almond milk, Greek yogurt, basil, frozen banana and frozen blueberries measured out.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

This smoothie is packed with nutrient-dense foods to promote weight loss, as well as, a few key ingredients to help with bloating. Here’s what you need:

  • blueberries  one of the most antioxidant rich foods, blueberries are also packed with fiber. Research studies have shown that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. I like using frozen blueberries.
  • banana packed with potassium and dietary fiber. The potassium helps prevent water retention by regulating sodium levels and the specific fiber in bananas helps to restore and maintain regular bowel functions. Highly recommend a frozen banana for this smoothie.
  • Greek yogurt yogurt is packed with protein to keep you feeling satisfied but it also contains active cultures, which increase the “good” bacteria in your gut, helping you digest food more efficiently.
  • basil – basil is a member of the mint family and can help ease gas and bloating and improve digestion.
  • flaxseed  loaded with omega-3’s and monounsaturated fats — known for fighting abdominal fat and keeping you full. Flaxseeds also provide high levels of fiber and can help to keep the digestive system running smoothly, helping to banish bloat, constipation and other digestive problems.
  • lemon – lemons are a natural diuretic and gentle laxative so they can help waste elimination. Adding a little to this smoothie adds a nice pop of flavor as well.
  • almond butter & almond milk almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats, protein and Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant (great for your skin) and the fiber/protein combo in almonds help to keep cravings away and keep your blood sugar stable. Almond milk is typically pretty low in calories, fat and sugar as well… as long as you buy unsweetened.
Side by side photos. Photo one is greek yogurt, banana, blueberries, almond butter and flaxseed in a blender. The second photo is a blended blueberry smoothie in a blender.

Are Smoothies Good for Weight Loss?

Smoothies can be great for weight loss, especially if they’re made with the ingredients I mentioned above. These ingredients will ensure your smoothie is filling and satisfying, which will keep you feeling full for hours.

Of course, smoothies can also be ideal for weight gain because it’s easy to pack a ton of calories into one smoothie just by adding a few calorie-dense foods like nut butter, full fat coconut milk, etc. You can easily make a 600-700 calorie smoothie without feeling like you’re having to eat a ton of food.

It also depends on how you are incorporating smoothies into your day – whether you’re using them to accompany a meal, as a meal replacement or as a snack. It’s important to be mindful about the ingredients you’re using and the calories if weight loss is your goal. Meal replacement smoothies usually contain 350-500 calories, whereas most snack smoothies are typically around 200-250 calories.

This recipe can be made into 1 or 2 servings and eaten as a meal replacement or as a snack, depending on your needs. Oftentimes I’ll have this smoothie for breakfast and pair it with a couple hard boiled eggs for extra protein!

Overhead view of blueberry weight loss smoothie with basil on top in a glass Weck Jar.

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3.92 from 90 votes

Blueberry Basil Weight Loss Smoothie

This blueberry basil smoothie is packed with nutritious ingredients that will help to banish bloat and promote weight loss!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups frozen blueberries
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2-1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/4 cup 5-6 leaves fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup 2% plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1 Tablespoon almond butter

Instructions 

  • Blend: Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Start with 1/2 cup of almond milk and add more if needed to reach the desired consistency.
  • Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Notes

Makes 1-2 servings – 1 serving as a meal replacement or 2 servings if you’re having this smoothie alongside a meal or as a snack. 
Dairy-free option – Make this smoothie dairy-free by using vegan yogurt or swap the yogurt with a scoop of vegan protein powder. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1smoothie | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 80mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 25g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Smoothies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: weight loss smoothie
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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73 Comments

  1. Yay, I have all the ingredients at home already! Can’t wait to try it! It sounds so yummy and refreshing!

    1. I feel ya!! The two servings option is perfect for a snack but if I were having this for breakfast I’d drink the whole thing too. 🙂

  2. Hi there! Sounds like a delicious recipe. As a personal trainer, people ask me all the time about slimming down their midsection, and while a strong core and working out is absolutely necessary, I also like to remind them that food plays a huge role. Great post.

  3. I never make smoothies as a snack or meal option, but wow. This sounds so delicious, I’ll be making it soon for sure!! Thanks!

  4. Abs or not, I love all those ingredients and will have to give this a try! I never would have thought to add basil to my blueberry smoothies.

      1. I was wondering if you have tried using protein powder with this? If so, would you substitute the yogurt with the protein powder?

        1. Hey Tiffany – You could totally add a scoop of protein powder to this smoothie! You could sub it for the yogurt or keep the yogurt in, totally up to you!

  5. I just made this and it was fabulous! The basil really gave this smoothie such an interesting taste! 🙂 I substituted So Delicious brand Coconut unsweetened plain yogurt for the Greek yogurt since I don’t eat dairy, and it was still smooth and creamy. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

    1. You’re so welcome. Thanks for coming back to let me know how the smoothie turned out. I’m glad you enjoyed it. So Delicious coconut yogurt is a great sub for the Greek yogurt!

    2. 5 stars
      I just made this smoothie and it is SO GOOD! I’m excited to see if it’ll help flatten my belly

  6. I love the idea of adding basil. I really get in a spinach rut and forget there are other greens. Will have to pick some up today! Yes– abs are most certainly made in the kitchen. Years of overtraining finally got that through my head.

    1. You could use coconut or rice milk if you’re dairy free or regular milk if you’re not dairy free. Sunflower butter would work instead of the almond butter. 🙂

  7. No doubt, nutrition is the biggest component of how we feel and how we look like, don’t you think? Amazing smoothie which looks even more amazing. It’s the bomb of vitamin C and fiber. Our bellies will be absolutely grateful!

  8. Never would have thought to add basil so my smoothies but I actually just bought a basil plant for my kitchen so it will definitely be making an appearance in my next morning smoothie 🙂

  9. Delicious! I was out of almond milk so I used coconut water (put in almost 2C though and it’s still very thick!). I also used 1/4 of an avocado instead of yogurt, and added a spoon of vanilla pea protein. Very tasty!!

  10. I made this smoothie this morning for breakfast. Absolutely delicious!! Have added it to my rotation.

  11. 5 stars
    Omg JUST literally just made this smoothie and I am drinking it currently right now! Omg!! This is over the TOP extremely delish!! I was skeptical at first because I didnt know if Id like basil in my smoothies. However, I am more than grateful I made this smoothie! Ughhh my new addiction of smoothies is this recipe loool. Delish and health benefits without need of superfoods? I give this smoothie more than 5 stars<3333!!!

  12. 5 stars
    Omg this smoothie is out of this world great!! I literally just made it now and am sipping on it right now. Ugh im so grateful for this recipe. It has soo many added benefits and no need for superfoods? Thank goodness but also for that I would give this smoothie more than 5 stars!!<33333 At first I was also skeptical bc i didnt know if id like basil in my smoothie but more than joyful that I stil made it anyway! Thanks Britt so much for this recipe!!<3333 🙂

  13. 5 stars
    This is SUCH a delicious smoothie recipe! The only change I made was to add a quarter of a lemon rather than just the lemon juice. Because the blueberries and banana are so sweet, it works really well and isn’t bitter at all! So excited to make this again!

    1. Hi Kerry! Thank you so much for the lovely comment and for taking the time to come back and let me know what you thought of the smoothie. I so appreciate it! I’ll have to try your trick of adding a quarter of a lemon instead of the lemon juice. Thanks for sharing!

  14. Tasted great ! But after drinking this smoothie , my husband and I suffered severe stomach pain for 3 hours afterwards . We tried the smoothie twice and same results each time. Very uncomfortable.

    1. Hey Tina, I am so sorry to hear that. It must be a food sensitivity to one of the ingredients. Is there an ingredient in the smoothie that has bothered you in the past?

  15. How can I lower the carbs and up the protein to make this a complete breakfast? I feel that 4g of carbs is an awful lot. Also, I may cut down the blueberries to 1/2 cup.

    1. Ahh yay! So glad you’re a fan of this smoothie, Karyne. Thanks for giving it a chance and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3

  16. 3 stars
    The smoothie itself tastes REALLY good, but I’ve been drinking it for about 2-3 months now. I drink it every morning on my way to work, but I haven’t lost any weight. I almost feel like I’ve gained weight.

    1. Hey Phelisia – This smoothie was designed with many ingredients that are known for helping to reduce belly fat and/or help with bloating. There are many factors that go into loosing weight (i.e. your overall diet, exercise routine, etc.).

    1. So sorry about the confusion, Sharise! It shouldn’t have said vegan in the post. I just edited it! Thanks for catching that.

  17. 4 stars
    I like this recipe it’s been a week and I feel better about my stomach I didn’t use basil I used kale instead. Thanks

    1. Yay!! I love hearing this, Heather! Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

  18. 5 stars
    An absolutely delicious smoothie! I loved the added flaxseed, greek yogurt and almond butter combination for packed protein! This was such a great morning treat! Highly recommend trying this one!

    1. So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Taylor! Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  19. 5 stars
    Had this for breakfast. Enjoyed the unique flavor of the basil. Wish it was a miracle cure for my not-so-flat belly, but at least it tasted great!

    1. So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Joy. Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!

  20. 4 stars
    Made this today and enjoyed the flavors but next time I think I will increase the amount of basil and leave out the lemon juice! It was a bit too tart for me, overall really good though!

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Courtney! Sorry about the lemon juice being too tart for you, but yes leaving it out next time should definitely help. Thanks so much for the review!

  21. 5 stars
    This smoothie is really the best. Over the last month I’ve gone back to it again and again, no changes or mods to the recipe of proportions necessary. I was a bit skeptical at first, but the lemon and basil are perfect together and subtly enhance the blueberry. I also think the almond butter in there is essential – it doesn’t smack you in the face and announce HEY THIS SMOOTHIE HAS NUT BUTTER IN IT!! But it’s presence enhances everything and makes this truly impossible to stop sipping. It’s not actually easy to craft a good tasting and healthful smoothie, and I never go wrong with B’s recipes. Thank you!!

    1. Aw yay!! I’m so glad this smoothie was a hit, Erin! Thank you so much for trying it and I so appreciate your review. It means the world to me!

  22. 4 stars
    Followed recipe exactly and was delicious however I had to use more almond milk as it was too thick as a smoothie drink – better consistency for a smoothie bowl. Still another A1 recipe would never have thought of adding basil and lemon juice but their subtle hints really make this smoothie!

  23. 5 stars
    This was so bright and tasty. The combined ingredients worked very well together. It not only stroked my tastebuds but it gave my parasympathetic nervous system a nice little massage too. Nice to know on top of all else, it’s a fat-buster. Thanks for this one. I’ll indeed use it again.

    1. Yay! So glad you loved this smoothie! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  24. 5 stars
    This was so bright and tasty. The combined ingredients worked very well together. It not only stroked my taste buds but it gave my parasympathetic nervous system a nice little massage too. Nice to know on top of all else, it’s a fat-buster. Thanks for this one. I’ll indeed use it again.

    1. Woo!! So glad you loved this smoothie, Rei. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  25. 5 stars
    Loved this smoothie! I subbed unsweetened oat milk for the almond milk and natural unsweetened peanut butter for the almond butter. I don’t like sweet smoothies so this was perfect!

    1. YAY! I am excited to hear that you are loving this recipe, Erin. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

  26. 5 stars
    This was delicious. After growing a basil plant indoors successfully, I was very excited to incorporate some basil in smoothies. Definitely bookmarking and making again.

    1. WOO! I am so happy that you are loving this recipe, Cecille. Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!

      1. 5 stars
        Thank you so much!!!! I followed your smoothie recipe exactly, and the results are truly amazing. I printed this recipe and promptly stuck it in the fridge for my wife and me to use. Thank you again…

        1. Of course! I am so glad that you and your wife are loving this recipe, Ben. Thank you so much for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it.