Need to Lose Weight? Try My Leptin Balancing Hunger Hormone Smoothie
When your hormones are unbalanced, losing weight (sustainably) is literally impossible.
It all starts with imbalanced blood sugar levels and the impact this has on our insulin production/response.
A standard Western diet of sugar, gluten-containing grains, processed foods, simple carb overload etc leads to a constant spike of blood sugar, which HAS to be accompanied by a constant spike of insulin.
Repeated blood sugar spikes, leads to repeated insulin spikes…not good.
But worse?
Your body rapidly gets desensitized to this – and each time there is a blood sugar spike you need more and more insulin just to cope.
When this is repeated – the outcome is called insulin resistance.
And if you need to lose weight – this is a disaster.
Let me introduce the hormone known as leptin.
Leptin is the hormone in your body that tells you when you’re hungry. Lots of leptin, and you don’t feel so hungry. No leptin and you ALWAYS feel hungry.
However, it’s not quite as simple as trying to ‘get more leptin’.
This is the news that broke the heart of the pharmaceutical industry in the late ’90s when leptin was first discovered. ‘HOORAY – we can invent leptin pills – we have the ultimate weight loss drug!’
Well, not so simple.
You see, and I need you to concentrate here – this is important – it is not the AMOUNT of leptin that is IN the body.
IT IS THE AMOUNT OF LEPTIN YOUR BRAIN RECOGNISES
As it turns out, in studies looking at the effects of leptin, researchers found that in overweight and obese subjects there was actually a GREATER amount of leptin circulating in their body compared to others – BUT – their brain was not able to recognize it was there.
Interesting…
No leptin pills then.
Having constantly high blood sugar spikes, and thus high levels of insulin actually block the part of the brain that recognizes leptin.
And just like insulin resistance – this situation is called leptin resistance…
In order to recognize leptin, we need to control our blood sugar…
And this smoothie is a MASSIVE WIN towards doing that.
[Note: I’ll be writing to you about leptin’s next-door-neighbor – ghrelin – in a few days. Those who are overweight or struggle to lose weight ALWAYS have zero leptin and massive ghrelin – meaning you’re always hungry and never feel full. Not a good combination – lookout for that post very soon].
This is a recipe I’ve been working on for a while, and I hope you absolutely love it.
And if you are trying to lose weight – I hope this really helps you move forward toward your goals.
Leptin Balancing Smoothie
Serves 2
Ingredients
350ml unsweetened almond or coconut milk
150ml filtered water
A handful of almonds, soaked overnight* (or for minimum 2 hours)
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 avocado
1 Tbsp cashew butter
1/2 tsp ground Ceylon cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger OR 1cm fresh ginger, grated
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1tbsp coconut oil
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
Optional
1 scoop of plant-based protein powder
Instructions
Rinse the soaked almonds, add to the blender with the nut milk and water, blend until they’re smooth, and then add the remaining ingredients.
If you’re using protein powder, I recommend a plant-based product – and if you’re on a weight loss journey, adding a little protein to this smoothie is certainly not a bad idea.
Serve as is, or over ice. It’s REALLY delicious!
Ross
*for the almonds, if you have a powerful blender like a Vitamix or Nutribullet you can throw them in as they are, but if you have a ‘regular’ blender I definitely recommend soaking them first.
[Note: If you’re not strictly watching the sugar intake, you can add a teaspoon of rice malt syrup per serve.]
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Why is Ceylon cinnamon used. I am not in USA, will any other one work?
What can I substitute for cashew butter ? Never heard of this one before not sure where to buy it . Thank you Juanita
I could put raw organic almond butter in, instead of soaked almonds, right?
I’ve been reading voraciously about your programs, and will be trying many of the recipes for a variety of reasons. I’ve struggled with my weight since they cut the umbilical cord, thought I play every sport known to mankind. I’m living the life of an athlete, unfortunately I’m stuck with the body of a couch potato! My job is very physical and I’m quite often working away from home, I am very interested in the systems you espouse, hopefully They can work for me. Thanks
You call for Ceylon cinnamon, is it different than a generic cinnamon?
Not enough to worry about it too much 🙂
Ross, Love your work.
A quick question on this smoothie – I have a food intolerance to Almonds – what can I use instead of almonds in this recipe?
Thank you and thank you for caring
Sandra
Hello, please use both metric measurements and pounds and ounces measurement in your reciptes. I don’t remember the conversion and have to look up the conversion on each recipe. Thank you.
I’m wondering if adding strawberries would be doable. My son only likes strawberry flavor. Would that upset the balance?
When are you supposed to drink it?
How many times a day?
Is this used instead of food?
Hi Ross
I don’t have a Vitamix, but have a Nutribullet. What’s the best way to make your own cashew and almond butter, as I can’t get either.
Thanks
Hi Ross, this absolutely describes me! Always hungry never full…in my head, because I can feel my stomach is full, but my head never is.
Alas I have a tree nut allergy can you tell me if there is a substitute for soaked nuts? Please and thank you, Cheers
IS THERE something we can sub almonds with? I am allergic
You’ll want to increase more omega-3 rich foods in it’s place – so flaxmeal or chia seeds would be a good swap 🙂
Hi Ross it’s about your weight loss
Smoothie, could I substitute peanut butter or almond butter instead of the
Cashew butter thanks ????
Almond butter definitely – peanut butter definitely NOT! Peanuts are acid forming.
Enjoy though – almond butter will be a nice tasty swap 🙂
I have serious knees problem what can you help
Me with to loss weight and easy my pain? Thank you
What if I am deathly allergic to avocado?
You can replace avo in most smoothies with coconut cream/milk to add back in some of the creaminess.
Husband had prostate cancer. It is cleared now. we went balanced alkaline diet but he lost about 8 lbs. He is already thin this wasn’t good. Now we are moving forward trying to stay at 20-80 ratio on the food intake. What can he do on this diet to gain more weight without compromising the gains thus far. He want to continue just get smarter. Do you have ideas on this?
Hey Beverly
Congrats! That’s a great result with the cancer.
This guide should help now: http://liveenergized.com/alkaline-diet-guides/alkaline-diet-gain-muscle-maintain-weight/
Ross
HI! when is the best time of day to take this Leptin Balance Smoothie?
How many times per week do you reccomend taking it?
How many calories per serving?
Hi Vivian
You can have it any time of the day, several times per week.
Calories are irrelevant: http://liveenergized.com/alkaline-diet-resources/the-simple-weight-loss-equation/
Try not to overthink things like time of day, number of times per day etc. Just eat clean and focus on the big picture.
Ross
Hi Ross, I have brown rice protein powder, is it a healthy option for one trying to having more alkaline based foods.
Hey Mary
Yep – that’s pretty good. I like the Organifi one I mention because it’s more rounded, with a few different protein sources and other minerals, vitamins and a good amino spectrum.
Ross
Hi my name is Beryl.i have a under active thyroid it’s a real problem.especialy in trying to loose weight. Up and down. Like a roller coaster.its practully impossible to keep a stable weight.i am very unhappy with my self.i try and try to no avail.please could you advise me?.i have a very sluggish motablism.so in order to loose weight I have to eat very little.i am only four feet ten in height so I look dunmpy very easily.
So very miserable I hate the way I look and feel.
Thanks for reading this .berylx
Hi Beryl
The advice in this article/recipe is a good philosophy – your thyroid can be healed. Weight loss/gain is a matter of imbalance and you have a confirmed imbalance with your endocrine system. Focus your energies on fixing that rather than on your weight and how much you eat and while it may take longer, the results will last a lifetime.
Ross
How often do you eat this?
Once a day, any other meals ?
Have it when you feel like it and certainly eat a lot more each day than just this.
You might want to check this guide out too: http://liveenergized.com/alkaline-diet-resources/the-simple-weight-loss-equation/
Ross
Hi Ross,
How often can I have the smoothie? Once,a day?
Thanks, Carol
Once a day is great.
If you are allergic to nuts – what can one replace it with?
For this smoothie it’s fine to just leave out the nuts, or add extra avocado.
Are there any good plant based protein powders without PEA?
Thank you,
Ayla Anne
Hey Ayla
Check out Sun Warrior – made from sprouted brown rice.
Ross
Do you do weekends and or week long wellness retreats? For detox, juicing, yoga, rest, hikes etc? Please advise
Hi Belle
It’s possibly in the works for 2018 🙂
Ross
Thank you Ross for all the work you put in for our health. Really appreciated!
My pleasure Lorene 🙂
Tell me more as to why you selected those ingredients? Can anything be left and it still work? Is it really delicious? Is the salt necessary?
Hi Dea
These ingredients specifically support insulin management, which in turn directly supports the brain’s ability to recognise leptin.
You can leave one or two out but will ideally replace them, even just a little, with other ingredients with similar benefits/nutrient content.
Ross