Substitute with a smoothie?

The experts always say "don't drink your calories". However, if a smoothie satisfies - go for it. I drink them for breakfast on the go often.

I would think that if you were making sure that you're putting healthy things in there (all natural sugars such as fruit rather than white sugar), it would be ok. You could try it out and see how you like it.

I think that if it works for you, go for it. However, I would definitely try to have a variety of smoothies. Also, you may want to have a plate meal sometimes so you don't get bored with the smoothies. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

i get frozen fruit (my favorite is berries/blueberries) and put a light vanilla yogurt in mine. With the fruit being already frozen you don't even need to add ice. splash of milk (or water even if you want to save more calories and it's to die for!

They do say don't drink your calories, but if your smoothie consists of real foods, you're still getting your key nutrients. I do agree though that you still end up hungry, because you don't chew your mind still thinks it wants real food. Eat a cucumber with it or something

Why not? I used to do this--and was thin! You can put some fruit or veggies in. With some protein powder, you won't taste the veggies. I use True Essential Protein Powder (but haven't the last 10 days since I started on mfp.) Decided to eat a lot more salads. Just make sure you get lots of veggies, because nothing can replace, real, fresh, food. Anything processed, is still processed, and is not the same, even tho it claims to have every vitamin and nutrient, etc. (I also sometimes take the True Essentials Fruit and Vegetable supplements--whole food supplements---but nothing can replace real food. These pills are for people who just won't eat vegetables, or can't, for some reason. Don't be one of those people. Food, plain and simple, has worked for million of years. "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Michael Pollan. (you can find a lot of his videos on youtube---Look for Novella Carpenter, too; she's my favorite), or read Omnivore's Dilemma, Botony of Desire, and see; The End of Food, The End of Surburbia (predicted $5/gal gas), Supersize Me, Garbage Warrior, Food Inc., etc. You can also find lots of videos on home gardening & urban gardening. These movies and authors--found many on youtube, also at the library.

A smoothie once in a while, would be good, but you can't live on'em. It's good for meal replacement if you want to lose more weight quickly. But that's not what this site is all about. Be careful about the calorie count. Putting in milk, lots of fruit, or sugary yogurt can raise calories or sugar content way up! Why not make a healthy meal for YOU AND YOUR SON? Fish and vegetables. Chicken and vegetables. Meat and vegetables. Let him have the starch, or more fat, if you need be. Make it a simple dinner when your husband is away.