A recent study has revealed that working out not only makes you fit and ripped – but it also causes one to inadvertently eat healthier foods.
How’s that for a great side effect?
The knock-on effect of this finding is that the healthier you eat, the better your body will perform, recover and build muscle. So if you are working out and eating food that is great for your body, you are likely to improve your performance quicker.
One of the most convenient things to consume after a workout is a post-workout smoothie. Smoothies are easy to carry with you and drink on the fly after your gym sesh. What’s more, you can easily add in nutrient dense and valuable foods to create a nutritionally rich and balanced meal/snack for yourself.
If you wondering what are some of the best foods to incorporate into your smoothies, read on. Because we are about to hit you with 7 supercharged ingredients to include in post-workout smoothies. So that you can get the most out of your breakfast!
1. Blueberries
If you are hitting the gym or doing any other form of exercise, a top smoothie ingredient to choose is blueberries. According to research, blueberries can significantly and measurably improve recovery rates in athletes.
Remember you can also include blueberries in any post-workout breakfast – not just smoothies – to take advantage of their benefits.
2. Coconut Oil
In order to make sure that you are absorbing all of the nutrients from your other smoothie ingredients, add in a healthy fat to your smoothie. As most vitamins and minerals are fat soluble, having a good fat present will enhance your uptake of these.
There are many healthy fats to choose from, but coconut oil is our favorite. Why? Because it is high in healthy saturated fats – which can actually increase your fat burning rate. At the same time, they will stabilize your insulin levels and keep you fuller for longer.
3. Unsweetened Almond Milk
Every smoothie needs a liquid base. Almond milk is more nutritious than plain water and much healthier than fruit juice – which contains too much sugar to be a suitable base.
Almond milk is high in vitamin E, which has been found to be an essential nutrient for athletes. It also contains a certain amount of calcium and is low in calories.
Just make sure you are getting unsweetened almond milk – sweetened versions have high amounts of refined sugar and calorie counts.
4. Bananas
Wanna make the best post workout smoothie? Then you need a banana. Bananas add creaminess and ‘richness’ to smoothies. Besides this, they also contain high levels of potassium, which plays a key role in a number of the body’s processes that are in high gear during exercise.
5. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens hold a number of benefits, and a great way to work them in is in your after workout smoothies. Leafy greens are a rich source of nitrates, a compound that is important for the functioning of the body, particularly during exercise.
Leafy greens also have the ability to turn white fat into brown fat, which aids in the fat burning process next time you workout.
6.Protein
Whether you are a gym rat or are just now flirting with fitness – you will know that protein is very important for rebuilding muscle.
A smoothie is an easy place to add in some protein such as Greek yogurt, nut butters or even cooked pulses. You can also choose to use protein powder.
7. Ground Flaxseeds
An after workout smoothie is a great place to incorporate a superfood, and flaxseed is an ideal option. Providing 100% of one’s RDA of Omega-3, flaxseeds also contain protein and fiber and have a reputation for reducing post-workout inflammation.
Are You Ready to Whiz up a Killer Post-Workout Smoothie?
Smoothies are the ideal gym goer’s breakfast. If you love sweating it up in the gym – and don’t know what to bring for afterward – a smoothie is the ultimate solution.
Now that you know about 7 of the top ingredients to incorporate, there is nothing stopping you from whizzing up a body fueling post-workout smoothie for your next session.
If you are interested in how nutrition can help you to meet your goals in the gym and would like a helping hand, then also be sure to check our nutritional coaching.
