Smoothie Diet FAQ

Smoothie FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the last year I have gotten a lot of questions about the Smoothie Diet and smoothies in general. The following questions are the most common questions and comments I get and should answer any concerns you have.

1

Can I change the smoothies around?

You can change the smoothies around in each week if you want but if you change smoothies from different weeks, the shopping lists will no longer be accurate. Try not to have to the same green for more than 3 smoothie in a row.

2

Can I change any of the ingredients?

If you want to substitute any ingredients, please refer to the swap guide on page 12. If you add any additional ingredients though that will change both the taste and the consistency. Try to stick to the recipes.

3

Can I change when I have the smoothie?

I suggest replacing breakfast and dinner with a smoothie but if you want to substitute breakfast and lunch instead and have a regular dinner that is fine. Just keep your dinner to around 450 calories.

4

My smoothie is too thick or too thin

There are a lot of reasons why your smoothie might not come out perfectly even if you follow the recipe. This has to do with ripeness of fruit, blender power, and many other things. If your smoothie is too thick, add 1/4 cup of liquid at a time and blend again until its the desired consistency. If the smoothie is too thin you can try adding some ice cubes and blending again.

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5

I don’t like the taste of the smoothie.

This depends on what you don’t like. If the green is too strong, you can make a note and use a different green next time. If it’s not sweet enough you can add a 1/2 tsp of honey or 1/2 date to add some extra sweetness. I have done my best to make the smoothie as delicious as possible though and still healthy!

6

Do I have to drink the whole thing?

Yes, you don’t want to chug your smoothie. Drinking too fast will cause excess gas to build up in your stomach and can lead to a bloated feeling. If it seems like too much, drink what you can and take the rest with you for a snack.

7

Can I make the smoothies ahead of time?

You sure can! If you don’t have much time during the day this is the best option. Once you blend a smoothie though the fruits and vegetables begin to oxidize and slowly lose nutritional value. Ideally drink immediately for maximum nutrient absorption and best taste. You can store for up to 12 hours. Make sure to give it a good shake before drinking.

8

Why do I feel bloated and gassy?

This is usually a sign that your body is adjusting to the increased fiber intake. This should pass in a few days. This could also be a symptom of drinking the smoothies too fast. I know they taste good but try to sip, don’t chug!

9 I’m allergic to an ingredient.

If you allergic to any ingredient please refer to the swap guide on page 12.

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This is why the prep is so important. Yes smoothies take a little more work than just opening a bag of chips and diving in but the effect on your health is far more dramatic. Follow the prep guide to have everything prepared ahead of time so all you have to do is throw everything in the blender and hit go!

11

I can’t find that ingredient!

If you can’t find an ingredient it may not be in season or the grocery store may be out of stock. Check the freezer section to see if there is a frozen version of it. If not, check my swap guide on page12. In most recipes I have listed substitutes. For example, papaya is not always easy to find so you can use peaches instead.

12

Do I have to buy organic?

Organic is preferred but I would rather you eat any fruits and vegetables than none at all. So if you can, go organic and if you can’t don’t worry about it. In the end you will still benefit from the non-organic produce.

13

Fruits and vegetables are too expensive

Make sure you follow my shopping guide. Ways to save money are to buy in buy in bulk, buy in season, and buy frozen. You can also go to your local farmers market for great deals. Unhealthy food is very cheap, that is one of the biggest problems with the food industry. You need to start investing in your health. Just ask yourself how expensive doctors bills and prescriptions are that will be needed to balance out poor eating habits.

14

What about coffee and alcohol?

An occasional glass of wine is fine but don’t make it a nightly thing. Coffee is also fine in moderation. The smoothies should give you plenty of energy but if you absolutely must have coffee, have no more than 1 cup per day.

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15

Can I do the program with a partner?

Of course! The more the merrier. If you want to do it with a partner, just make sure to double the amounts and update the shopping lists. You can either make two smoothies at once in a large blender or do one at a time.

16

I’m vegan/vegetarian,what are my options?

The smoothies are vegan and vegetarian friendly. For your regular meals and snacks I have provided vegetarian and vegan samples. In most cases you will be focusing on high protein foods like beans and quinoa.

17

Why haven’t I lost more weight?

If you aren’t losing weight, chances are that there are some extra calories sneaking in somewhere. Make sure your main meal is not more than 450 calories and your snacks are under 150 calories. Be aware of your portion sizes. Remember even a small handful of nuts can be almost 200 calories.

18

I finished the 21 days, now what?

This depends on what you want to do now. Please see page 26 for more info.

19

Where’s the nutritional info?

I don’t want you to focus on nutritional info. I have designed this program to flood your body with essential nutrients over 21 days. Most people make poor decisions about the quality of food when they start looking at calories, carbs and fat so I want you to leave that up to me. Follow my lead and you will lose weight!

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