I went through a period some years ago, during which my doctor had me drinking protein shakes for breakfast, then, at least one more during the day. I did this for about 6 months and consistently kept gaining weight. I was getting the protein powder from my doctor, so assumed it was "healthy"... yeah!! No - when I really started researching ingredients, I found it had tons of sugar in it, so no wonder I gained weight on it. I've noticed that my doctor no longer sells this protein powder. All that said, I did so many shakes that to this day, I can barely stand the thought of one, let alone actually get one into my stomach!!
Once I got off the shakes and started following my own eating plan, I ended up losing 26 lbs, which, of course, have since come home to roost on my hips and butt and are what I'm trying to encourage to leave the nest (ummm hips and butt). :-)
I can do a smoothie once in a while, if the consistency is good ... I like my smoothies to be a consistency more like ice cream, so I use frozen fruit and often toss in some baby spinach or lettuce leaves, etc. Raw (fresh) ginger is great in a smoothie and I always use almond milk in them vs cow's milk. Think: frozen banana, a few frozen berries, tablespoon fresh ginger, 1/2 cup almond milk. Blend it all up and eat. I often put other spices (cinnamon is a favorite), as well. Real vanilla works well with some things, etc.
I have tons of recipes for smoothies/shakes, using everything from powdered peanut butter to sugar-free jello/pudding mixes. Of course, we know that "sugar-free" isn't necessarily good for us and can derail a diet just as easily as sugar. I try to steer clear of artificial sweeteners and opt for honey, stevia or a spice (cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg) for the sweetness.
I have a Ninja blender that has 2 containers - one for larger batches and one for a single smoothie, but it's not a juicer. I'm anxious to see what you come up with and if you're interested in any of my recipes, I'll be happy to post a few of them.
Oh- BTW - as we know, a smoothie is typically a drink containing fresh fruits/veggies, etc, whereas a "shake" often contains a protein powder. My blood protein levels are usually low or rock bottom, so I've been looking for a powder that actually tastes like food, but haven't been able to. If you have a favorite, I'd love to know what brand and the best place to get it.
IDK, smoothies? I've heard that it's not so good for loosing weight.
A blended drink I buy a lot in the summer is one consisting of cucumber, mint and lime, plus sparkling water. I suspect there is some sweetener in it, but not a lot. Maybe you can improvise something with those three flavors, in a smoothie.