Matcha Smoothies For Weight Loss

Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by

Slurp down a refreshing green tea matcha smoothie. You will get the body you want and the energy you need to start your day. Matcha tea powder is an ancient Japanese preparation that has a clean, mentally alerting energy. It has high levels of L-Theanine which slows the release of caffeine into your blood stream, giving a longer lasting ‘buzz’ than coffee or black tea.

Matcha Smoothies are the new trend when it comes to weight loss, as of late I haven’t seen any new fad and weight loss butt so much popularity as matcha. But what is matcha? Matcha is basically a powdered green tea that is coming from Japan. As complex as it may sound matcha is nothing but ground and highly concentrated green tea leaves. Matcha powder, or the liquid form has a lot of health benefits and we are about to discuss those. After all, if you want to take control of your weight, then this is the way to go. Here is why: I’m going to talk about Matcha Smoothies For Weight Loss, make sure you read this article.

Matcha Smoothies For Weight Loss

Smoothies have become a must in weight loss plans. Thanks to their alleged effectiveness in weight loss, more and more dieters are adding these drinks to their weight loss diet plans. Contrary to what most people think, these smoothies do not magically promote weight loss. Instead, they only combine healthy and fat-burning ingredients that help you lose weight as part of a healthy balanced diet. One of the best smoothie ingredients that some nutritionists recommend is matcha. In this read, we will be discussing how matcha smoothies might promote weight loss, their added health benefits, and some matcha smoothie ideas for weight loss. Dust off that blender because this just might be the inspiration you need to make weight loss happen.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a powder obtained from finely ground green tea leaves acquired from the Camellia sinensis plant. Although most people think it is green tea, food experts say that matcha is grown differently from green tea.

When growing matcha, you are required to grow the tea in the shade for at least three to four weeks before harvesting them. This process enables the leaves to produce more theanine and caffeine, which happens to be two of the most important compounds in this powder.

There are no limits to the different types of beverages or foods that you can prepare with matcha. You can make smoothies, baked goods, lattes, or teas. It all comes down to your preferences.

Why Take Matcha?

Most people consume this powder for its reported health benefits. According to WebMD, matcha has been linked to the following health benefits:

Matcha is rich in amino acids, caffeine, and antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage from free radicals, potentially reducing your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Consuming matcha can also boost your heart health in several ways. First and foremost, it contains catechins which reduce oxidative stress, this is an off balance of antioxidants and free radicals in your body.

It also may prevent inflammation and lower triglycerides and LDL “bad” cholesterol levels in your body, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Lastly, matcha consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of congestive heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis (4).

One study found that participants who consumed matcha had a slightly faster attention speed and memory improvement than the control group (4). Although more research is required to prove this, the belief is that the caffeine in matcha helps enhance memory, attention, and concentration (4).

Matcha is promising when it comes to reducing liver disease risk. With this in mind, individuals are urged to opt for matcha or green tea instead of supplements due to various concerns (4). Be sure to consult with your doctor before making such or any other health decision.

Although matcha is not packed with many vitamins and minerals, it is rich in antioxidants, catechins, polyphenols, theanine, and caffeine. All these benefit your body in one way or the other. For example, caffeine in the body may help with enhancing cognitive performance.

Polyphenols may reduce blood sugar levels, reduce cardiovascular diseases risk, and prevent blood clots. In addition, antioxidants have been associated with numerous benefits, including protecting your cells from free radicals, which increase your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Can A Matcha Smoothie Promote Weight Loss?

If you do a quick Google search on matcha, you will find that most people question the effectiveness of matcha smoothies for weight-loss. You will find plenty of questions on this, for instance, are matcha smoothies good for weight loss?

Experts believe they are. The bonus of drinking these beverages for weight loss is that you also reap health benefits associated with matcha. Matcha smoothies can be effective in weight loss because of the following aspects:

If we want to remind ourselves, the foundation of weight loss is in the consumption of fewer calories than your body is burning. Doing this allows you to create and maintain a calorie deficit, which is efficient for weight loss.

This means that you should be consuming low-calorie foods and drinks to help you maintain this deficit. One of the best low-calorie drinks besides water is matcha. A half teaspoon serving (roughly one gram) has only three calories (4). It also has zero carbs and one gram of protein and fiber (4).

The fiber and protein play a vital role in preventing overeating. This is because these nutrients increase satiety, making you feel full longer. So, you do not overindulge, meaning you stick to a calorie deficit.

NOTE:

Although matcha has very few calories and has been deemed effective for weight loss, it might contradict results if you overdo it. That said, watch your portion sizes and use of matcha particularly when you are adding it.

A 2018 study wanted to determine the effect of matcha green tea drinks on the physiological and metabolic responses among brisk walking females. So, it brought together thirteen females aged 27 +/- 8 years who took up brisk walking as their exercise program and gave them these drinks (7).

The participants drank three different matcha drinks before brisk walking and throughout the day (7). The study findings indicated that matcha did not affect physiological responses (7).

However, it did enhance fat oxidation during the activity, which enhanced fat loss in these females. So, the researchers concluded that matcha could be consumed as part of a weight-loss program due to its possible mild metabolism-enhancing properties (7).

Drinking matcha tea smoothies for weight loss gives effective results because it might reduce your appetite. Catechin in matcha is said to keep you feeling full longer, which is advantageous for dieters because it reduces overeating and food cravings. Even by a small margin, a decreased appetite saves you from the calories that could lead to a calorie surplus.

What Is The Best Matcha Smoothie Recipe For Weight Loss?

Thanks to the versatility of matcha, there are so many smoothies you can whip up and enjoy through your weight loss journey. Experts do not rank any matcha smoothie as best because all matcha smoothies can be effective for weight loss as part of a healthy balanced diet.

With that said, there are numerous matcha breakfast smoothie weight loss recipes that you can consider. But before you settle on any one of them, be sure to go through this list with your nutritionist. 

Remember that you must meet your daily dietary and calorie requirements too from this drink and the rest of the foods you eat. Here are simple healthy recipes you can consider:

Matcha Smoothie

Nutrition: Calories- 67, Fat- 2 g, carbs- 10 g, and Protein- 1 g

Mango Matcha Smoothie

Nutrition: Calories- 298, Carbs- 43 g, Fat- 3 g, and Protein- 24 g

Green Tea Matcha Smoothie

Nutrition: Calories- 168, Carbs- 31 g, Fat- 4 g, and Protein- 8 g

How Many Servings Of Matcha Smoothies For Weight Loss Should You Consume?

As we have seen from the nutritional information of the sample smoothies above, the number of calories highly differs. Therefore, you will find some smoothies have a high-calorie count, while others have fewer calories.

It means that you will have different servings for each smoothie. We all have a different calorie limit, influenced by our ages, activity levels, sex, height, body size, and overall health.

This means that you may be required to have either more or less servings of such smoothies, to help maintain a calorie deficit. This is one of the many reasons you need to work with a nutritionist when making any dietary changes.

That said, the bottom line is that you should never go overboard with how much you drink. Remember that each serving has calories, and overindulging increases the number of calories you consume.

When To See Your Doctor

Drinking these smoothies seems like a good idea. After all, they have been prepared using healthy ingredients and may help you reach the pinnacle of health by helping you maintain an ideal weight.

Although you may have gained a few health benefits, you must not assume that your safety is assured. So, besides seeing your doctor before you add these drinks to your diet, other instances make consultation mandatory. They include:

Figuring out if drinking matcha smoothies for weight loss is effective when one has an eating disorder is pretty irrelevant. Remember that eating disorders involve severe problems and must be treated with utmost care.

The most common eating disorders reported in today’s society are binge-eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa (2). Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms of any one of these conditions. This is because, over time they can lead to severe complications like anemia, low blood pressure, malnutrition, and even death (2).

Many people believe that going on a liquid diet full time can help promote faster weight loss. So, you may decide to go on a matcha smoothie diet. Consultation is a must if you want to swap out solid food for these smoothies. 

Yes, a liquid diet such as a matcha smoothie diet can help you lose weight, and for several reasons. Most importantly, unlike solid foods, a liquid diet gives you fewer calories, and you have to worry less about portion control in a smoothie diet.

As a result, you may lose pounds way faster. However, the results do not last because your metabolism slows down to save energy after a while, and your body burns fewer calories. So, eating healthy solid food plus drinking matcha smoothie weight loss results in sustainable results. Talk to your doctor and nutritionist about how you can safely incorporate these smoothies into your diet and maintain a moderate calorie deficit for sustainable weight loss.

If you report weight gain instead of weight loss, you are likely consuming more calories than you are burning. This can happen if you do not lead a healthy lifestyle, meaning you do not exercise and consume too many high-calorie foods.

This can also happen if you buy smoothies from a local store. Most of such smoothies are very big and may cause you to exceed your calorie limit. However, in some cases, despite doing everything by the book to promote weight loss, you may add weight because of an underlying condition. 

So, do not hesitate to seek medical attention, even if you have yet to experience any alarming symptoms. Some diseases that have been known to contribute to weight gain are polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, sleep apnea, Cushing’s disease, and depression.

matcha smoothie

Having a matcha smoothie weight loss leads to effective weight loss for several reasons. It may boost metabolism, reduce your appetite, and can be low in calories. There are so many matcha smoothie recipes to choose from, so you will not lack ideas. As you dust off your blender, remember to first consult with your doctor and nutritionist about adding these smoothies to your diet.

5 Matcha Tea Smoothies to Lose Weight and Boost Your Health

I’ve been a big fan of green tea for years, so you can guess how excited I was when I recently found out about a type that is even more potent (and healthy) than even traditional green tea!

I couldn’t wait to start taking advantage of the extra benefits, so I started looking around for ways to include it in my smoothies.

I wasn’t sure what kind of smoothies to use it in, to begin with, but soon found out it’s actually pretty versatile and works well in a lot of different recipes.

Want to easily lose weight with smoothies?

Adding matcha green tea to your smoothies is a really easy way to take advantage of its impressive qualities.

In this post, I’m going to share some of the healthiest and most delicious ways to enjoy its goodness as part of your smoothie habit, as well as what to beware of when using Matcha.

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a look at what matcha is and exactly how it can help you to get healthier and lose weight.

What is Matcha Tea?

Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and has been popular in Asia for more than a thousand years. It’s specifically grown in the shade, and this is what gives it such a vivid green color.

For centuries, Japanese monks meditating for long hours used matcha tea to remain alert while keeping calm.

Researchers have confirmed that matcha can aid in achieving this “relaxed alertness state” and concentrating better, which is beneficial if you’re studying or meditating.

The reason for these benefits of matcha tea is the high contents of the amino acid L-Theanine. Matcha has 5 times more L-Theanine than usual green or black teas.

Unlike other green teas, you ingest the whole leaf, which is crushed into a fine powder, and not just the leaves brewed in water. This brings a whole heap more health benefits!

Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest things you can add to your smoothies, and here’s why:

What’s My Favorite Matcha?

I’m often asked which tea brand I would recommend.

So, here’s the one (drumroll)…

I absolutely love this authentic Japanese brand.

How Matcha Tea Helps You Lose Weight

Matcha has been found to help you to lose weight in two important ways:

How Much Should I Consume a Day?

With matcha, you’re drinking the whole leaf, and this makes the effects a lot more potent.

This means you don’t need to go overboard with how much you drink, and one cup a day is enough when it’s drunk as tea.

This goes to adding it to your smoothies as well – if you add the same amount of matcha powder to your smoothie as you would add to a cup of tea, you should limit it to a single matcha serving per day.

Precautions – Can Matcha Be Unhealthy?

I’ve introduced you to some of the reasons why matcha is so highly regarded as a health food, but there are some potential downsides to be aware of too:

How Long Can I Store Matcha Tea?

Matcha needs to be kept away from heat, light, and air. If it’s exposed to these elements, the nutrients will degrade quickly.

Storing the matcha container in the refrigerator before you start using it can help it to stay at its best for longer. Once it’s open, transfer the matcha to an airtight container and keep it in a dark cupboard or in the refrigerator.

For the most part, matcha will last for at least 6 months and sometimes up to a year, but it will usually be past its best after that.

What are the Different Types of Matcha?

Matcha powder comes in two main types and several varieties.

When you compare them to one another, you’ll notice not only a difference in color and fineness of the powder but also in the intensity of taste.

Ceremonial Grade

The highest grade and the most expensive type. The major tea schools and Buddhist temples in Japan are using Matcha of this grade, but outside Japan, it is rare to find it.

Ceremonial Matcha is made from the youngest tea leaves, which are stone ground. You’ll recognize it by the bright green color and thick texture of the tea.

Culinary Grade

The more readily available version, and the one used for drinking, cooking, and baking.

It isn’t necessarily of lower quality than Ceremonial Grade; it is just prepared in a slightly different way.

There are several varieties of Culinary Grade Matcha:

Premium grade

Quality is usually high, but at a lower price than ceremonial. It is suitable for drinking as well as a high-quality addition to smoothies and other recipes.

There have been reports that some companies label their powder as “Ceremonial” when it is actually Premium grade. Since there’s no regulatory body controlling these labels, we advise buying only from reputable brands and from a reputable source.

This brand is one of the most reputable and highest qualities we know.

Café Grade

This variety is made from less delicate leaves and features a very strong flavor. That’s why it is often used for cooking and baking, where its smell and taste can shine through more clearly.

Ingredient grade

A lower quality grade but works very well for recipes that contain milk and other dairy products such as smoothies, cakes, and ice cream.

However, for use in smoothies, where you make a green smoothie with mainly vegetables and pour the tea into your blender jar as a base, many still prefer the better and fresher tasting Premium grade.

Kitchen Grade

Made from the least delicate leaves, which is why it is the cheapest. It has a sharp flavor and is often used for experimenting with new recipes before applying finer matcha powders.

What Flavors Taste Good with Matcha?

It is always a good idea to infuse a little fruit flavor into your green tea. You can do this by using fresh-cut fruit. Citrus pairs very well with matcha. So, don’t be afraid to use a little lemon or orange to impart that citrus flavor into your matcha smoothie.

You can also use, frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries as well. For even more outside of the box thinking, try watermelon, cantaloupe, nectarine, and even peaches.

You can also add in a few splashes of fruit juices like cranberry, orange, or grape juice. This will enhance the matcha’s flavor and make for a delicious treat.

Remember, though, when making a smoothie or even a glass or cup of tea, you want to be careful about how much sugar you are adding. This is especially true if you are using it to help with weight loss.

Too much sugar can cause weight gain. So, when you use the fruit, it is sometimes best to refrain from adding additional sugar. The fruit is naturally sweet all on its own.

What Else Can You Do with Matcha Powder?

If you want to make other things besides a smoothie, there really are endless possibilities when it comes to matcha powder. In addition to a green smoothie containing a banana peeled, almond milk unsweetened, honey, and matcha, you can also make delicious Fro Yo Pops.

To make this treat, simply mix matcha powder with plain yogurt and drizzle in a small bit of honey. You can then freeze the mixture into molds. It makes a great on the go treat.

Want a pick me up in the morning? Combine one teaspoon of your matcha powder with hot water and then pour a few ounces of steamed milk (your choice) over the powder and mix for a delicious and health-boosting matcha latte.

Why Is Matcha Good for Weight Loss?

It has been said that matcha can help you boost your calorie-burning up to four times, which can definitely help you if your goal is to lose weight. Matcha also contains 137 times the antioxidants than you would find in regular tea. These powerful antioxidants help increase your metabolic rate during each of your workouts, which ultimately also helps with your weight loss.

For weight loss, you should consider consuming between one and four teaspoons of matcha powder each day. It can also provide you with a good lift to your day if you choose to drink it in the morning. It can also be a great pick me up for the afternoon, or even help in the evening when you want to wind down or focus and concentrate. It is incredibly versatile and helps burn calories.

How Green Tea Lowers Your Body Mass Index

There was a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that said that green tea and caffeine helped to significantly lower a person’s body mass index (BMI) compared to a caffeine-free green tea variety.

When the tea goes through a decaffeination process, the number of flavanols and antioxidants in the tea is reduced drastically. These are the agents that help with weight loss and weight loss management. Therefore, caffeine helps.

Is Matcha a Superfood?

Many do believe that matcha is a superfood that can help super charge you. There are over six times the powerful antioxidants when compared to other superfoods. It is energizing and works as a good anti-inflammatory for your workouts.

When you drink matcha, it can help fight off free radicals, it is higher in chlorophyll when compared to regular teas and can help protect the blood and heart while preventing joint inflammation.

It has also been found to raise your metabolism in a more natural way instead of having to turn to energy drinks and diet pills for a pick me up and weight loss aid.

What’s the Best Tea to Use for these Recipes?

I’m often asked what tea brand can I recommend? So here’s the one – I absolutely love this authentic Japanese brand – you can check it out here.

Delicious and Healthy Matcha Tea Smoothie Recipes

Matcha tea powder can be used in lots of different smoothies, but there are some ingredients that it works particularly well with.

Keep reading to discover some of the best matcha green tea recipes we’ve found!

1. Energizing Matcha Green Tea Smoothie Recipe

Recipe and image via jessicagavin

This recipe combines the creaminess of matcha green tea with a hint of tang from the peaches, and the result is totally refreshing!

If you prefer, you can easily swap out the pistachios in favor of other nuts and replace the coconut milk with almond milk or regular milk to suit your preferences.

Servings: 3 Cups

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender
  2. Blend for about 90 seconds until the mixture is smooth
  3. Add vanilla to taste if desired

2. Coconut Vanilla Matcha Smoothie

Recipe and image via acouplecooks

The combination of coconut, vanilla, and matcha works really well in this smoothie, and you can add a touch of extra sweetness with some agave nectar.

If you prefer, you can swap this out for something like maple syrup and honey for the same effect. Plus, you’ve got banana and pineapple to make it super healthy!

Servings: 3 Cups

Ingredients

Instructions

In a blender, blend all ingredients together on high-speed, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary.

3. Matcha Protein Smoothie

Recipe and image via fortheloveofbasil

This smoothie is packed full of super healthy foods and protein. It’s ideal as a post-workout energy boost or just for days where you really need a big pick-me-up at breakfast time for the hours ahead.
If you’ve ever tried (and loved!) matcha lattes from Starbucks, this recipe is pretty close to that and was actually inspired by it!

Servings: 3 Cups

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend together until smooth.
  2. Add more coconut water if needed.

4. Matcha Vanilla Smoothie

Recipe and image via loveandlemons

This smoothie uses two of my go-to ingredients for healthy, yummy smoothies – almond milk as a base and bananas as the main ingredient. This makes for a creamy texture, and with the added vanilla, it tastes much sinful than it actually is!

This recipe is perfect for days when you want a bit of a sweet hit but still want to know that your smoothie is packed full of goodness.

5. Mango, Banana & Spinach Matcha Smoothie

Recipe and image via lovingitvegan

This may look like a purely green smoothie, but I love that it contains fruit and vegetables, so it’s a great way to pack in lots of nutrients, plus your matcha boost, of course!

It has a creamy and smooth texture that you’re sure to love and doesn’t take much prep time either.

Just be aware that it’s recommended to freeze the bananas beforehand.

Which recipes will you be trying out next? I’d love to get your thoughts in the comments.

I really hope you enjoyed reading this post. Please go ahead and share it on social media!

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