Do you use beans in smoothies? I do!
Adding beans to your smoothie recipes for weight loss is a simple way to give your body extra fiber and nutrients. Discover how to use beans to your low calorie smoothies to lose weight.
Using red beans (adzuki or azuki beans) in desserts is very common in Asian Countries. Red bean paste is often used in sweet breads, pastry filling, sweet soups, and ice cream. You can even substitute pureed beans for shortening in baked goods, such as cookies and brownies.
I found out about red bean smoothies at a Thai Smoothie Restaurant in Texas. I drank this smoothie quite often until I moved to Minnesota. I was disappointed to hear that there were no Thai Smoothie Restaurants in Northern Minnesota!
I had to find out how to make these smoothie recipes for weight loss myself. During this process... I have come across some smoothie tips that might help you along the way.
#1 Cook Your Own Beans
It may take planning ahead of time, but cooking your own beans it completely worth it!
Soak your beans for at least 4 hours (10-12 hours is best). Drain and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly. Place the beans with fresh water in a pot. Boil and simmer the water for 1 – 1 1/2 hours or until tender.
You will get a much better flavor in your smoothies by cooking the beans yourself. Canned beans have a metallic flavor and a lot of unnecessary salt.
Plus, you’ll save a lot of money! Dried beans are cheap!
#2 Cook Ahead
Can’t cook beans every day? Cook enough beans for the week. If you can’t cook your beans once a week, cook enough for the whole month. Freeze the beans that you will not use within 3-5 days.
To make blending easier, freeze your cooked beans on a cookie sheet and then bag them up. This way you won’t have big chunks of frozen beans in your smoothies.
#3 Blend Well
Want your bean smoothie to be creamy? Make sure to blend the beans and other ingredients with the liquid first before adding the ice.
#4 Add Your Favorite Flavors
Chocolate and red beans taste yummy together! Interested? Try a chocolate smoothie recipe. Or try using a splash of vanilla or cinnamon. Delicious!
Cashew Bean Smoothie
1 cup red beans, cooked and cooled
1/4 cup cashews, raw
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
7 dates, pitted
1/2 teaspoon stevia or other sugar-free sweetener
14 ice cubes
Add red beans, cashews, water, vanilla, dates, and stevia into the blender. Blend until creamy. Add the ice and blend again. Serves 1-2
Carob Bean Smoothie
1/3 cup cashews
1/2 cup adzuki beans, cooked and chilled
5 dates, pitted
1/2 teaspoon stevia or other sugar-free sweetener
1 tablespoon carob
1/2 – 3/4 cup water
10 ice cubes
Blend the cashews, beans, dates, stevia, carob, and the water until completely smooth. Add the ice and blend again. Serves 1
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