9 min read
Contrary to popular belief, losing weight doesn't have to taste bad. And if you need proof, look no further than smoothies.
Smoothies can be tailored to your personal preferences and dietary needs, without compromising on flavor.Now, there are certainly tasty smoothies out there with the opposite effect on weight loss.
But if you're smart about the ingredients used, satisfy the proper nutrients, and monitor your caloric intake, you can make a delicious and satisfying smoothie that will help aid in weight loss and help your body recover after an intense workout.
In this post, we're going to show you how to make a delicious smoothie that helps detoxify the bodyand sustain your protein after a workout.
We'll also go one step further and demystify the role of each ingredient, so you're equipped with the knowledge to customize smoothies on a whim, and still reach your fitness goals and nutritional requirements.
So get ready to gather your fruits, veggies, and nuts; grab your blender and ready your taste buds for one of the best post-workout smoothie recipes around.
The following smoothie recipe was designed to help your muscles recover after a good sweat session and support a weight loss journey, but it can also be used as a quick and easy breakfast solution in the morning.
Packed with refreshing berry fruits, the wonder of matcha, and muscle-building protein, this recipe checks all the boxes for taste and fitness goals. The ingredients used to make this post-workout smoothie make it friendly to many dietary restrictions, including:
From prep to pour, this dairy-free detox smoothie will only take you 5 minutes to make and serves 2.
So you could easily make it at breakfast, and have one on the way to work while saving the other for after your workout.
If you go this route, just remember thatyour anabolic window, the period where your body can build muscle from protein after a workout, is only 4 hours- so if you prep in the morning, just don't forget to drink your second serving right after your workout.
If you're a smoothie-head, you know one of the greatest parts about smoothies is that outside of prep, the blender does all the work. If this is your first time making a smoothie, then you'll love how quick and easy it is to create a nutritional meal or snack.
Add almond milk (or substitute), blueberries, strawberries, coconut oil, banana, protein powder, matcha, cinnamon, and ginger to the blender and process the ingredients until smooth.
Add ice cubes or chilled water to suit taste and preference, and blend again.
Pour into two glasses and sprinkle a dash of coconut flakes on the top of the smoothies.
Enjoy for breakfast or right after your workout!And that's all it takes to properly fuel and refuel your body before the day starts or post-workout.
Want to see why this recipe is so effective for post-workout recovery, maintaining a healthy weight, and yet a delicious smoothie? Yes? Great, you've come to the right section of this recipe.
The secrets lie in the ingredients, which perhaps aren't so secret at all. Each element of the matcha berry smoothie is great in a few different areas for your health, but in combination, they become a rounded part of your improved well-being.
Let's explore all 10 of the main ingredients from SHEFIT's Matcha Berry Smoothie so you can see how it all comes together to support health and fitness goals.
Bananas are an important addition to any smoothie because of their smooth texture, unique flavor, and low-calorie count. Bananas contain essential minerals and vitamins, such as potassium and vitamin B6, which promote optimum muscle recovery after an intense workout.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties. These anthocyanin-rich berries have been shown to reduce inflammation in muscle tissue, which is beneficial for post-workout recovery and overall health.
Blueberries are packed with vitamin C, potassium, and powerful antioxidants to help you reduce belly fat and keep up with your weight loss goals. They’re also full of belly-filling fiber to keep your digestive system going.
Pro Tip: Blueberries are the least expensive between May and October.
Strawberries can do more than tantalize your taste buds - they can help regulate blood sugar levels. By slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates, these sweet treats also boost fat-burning and metabolic hormones like adiponectin and leptin, leading to a higher metabolism rate that encourages weight loss!
It might not seem like a common smoothie ingredient, but coconut oil is an ideal mix-in because it contains fatty acids (medium-chain triglycerides - MCTs) that can help with weight loss by increasing your metabolism and decreasing hunger, torching belly fat in the process. The MCTs found in coconut oil are also known to reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for post-workout recovery and overall health.
And while the conversation about fats gets a lot of air time, healthy fats aren't discussed nearly as much as they should be. Coconut oil is often lumped into the healthy fats category because it adds good cholesterol, but it does contain a high amount of saturated fats.
Adding plant-based protein powder to your smoothie is a great and easy way to get muscle-building protein while helping you feel full at the same time. Amino acids found in it help build and repair muscle tissue after an intense workout. An increase in lean muscle will help you burn more fat.
Pro Tip:Look for a plant-based protein powder free from whey, casein, and other dairy-based ingredients, since each can contribute to bloating.
Matcha powder is a great addition to any smoothie because it provides both caffeine and antioxidants. Caffeine helps boost your metabolism and burn fat, while the antioxidants act as powerful detoxifiers to help cleanse the body.Matcha is something of a miracle ingredient, with many amazing qualities, but an additional one worth noting is its ability to help speed up recovery after intense workouts, likeHIIT Chest Training.
Looking to nix that pesky belly bloat? Add a dash of cinnamon! Not only does it give your baking and smoothies a delicious flavor, but it's also filled with polyphenols - micronutrients that help reduce uncomfortable swelling.
Plus, some studies suggest cinnamon may even help stabilize blood sugar levels and make you feel full for longer.Trust us, this is one super spice you don't want to miss out on!
You might not realize it, but adding some delicious ginger to your smoothie can go a long way in helping you stay slim!
Not only does this super spice bring tons of flavor to your favorite beverages, butits natural anti-inflammatory properties also make it one of the best digestive aids out there. Plus, it helps soothe the digestive tract and relax the muscles that cause bloating.
With ginger's help, you can feel fuller for longer and avoid those pesky cravings and overeating urges!
Coconut flakes are a great source of dietary fiber, which can help keep you feeling full. Plus, they're packed with healthy fats that can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat faster.
Coconut flakes are also high in minerals like magnesium and potassium, helping to regulate electrolyte balance for improved energy levels throughout the day.
Unsweetened almond milk is a great alternative to regular cow's milk, as it contains fewer calories and fat. Not only that, but it also has a variety of vitamins and minerals to support healthy muscle growth.
Additionally, almond milk is naturally low in carbohydrates - perfect for those with weight loss in mind via keto methods.
As you might imagine, when you combine all 10 of these ingredients to form SHEFIT's Matcha Berry Smoothie, it starts to look almost like an elixir.
Now that you know the not-so-secret ingredients and what each does for you, you can try substituting other healthy ingredients to try new flavors or give the recipe a kick in a different direction. Here are 2 ideas to get you started:
The matcha berry recipe above is a bit of a silver bullet for muscle recovery and weight loss. But SHEFIT has a smoothie, juice, or snack for just about any sort of fitness goal. Here's a peek at several delicious items on the menu:
If you know anything about SHEFIT, it's that peak fitness isn't reached by starving oneself or spending half your life in the gym. We believe that proper nutrition is critical to any fitness goal, which runs counter to fad diets or the absence of nutrition.
Even women on a mission to shed weight quickly don't have to embark on unhealthy diets and fasts to get there.
If you're currently in that phase and entertaining the idea of difficult fasting and restrictions, we'd encourage you to check out the following articles:
Between both of those articles, you'll either find a new strategy or discover a healthy way to go about losing weight quickly. But most importantly, you'll get a look at healthy ways to approach the process, boosting your self-confidence without compromising your health.
You're now ready to head to the grocery store, pick up your favorite ingredients, and make yourself a healthy and delicious smoothie that can help detox your body, repair muscles, aid in weight loss, and much more.
Packed full of nutrition with mouth-watering fruit and muscle-building protein, your body is sure to thank you!
Remember, no plan for healthy weight loss is complete without exercise - even the purest post-workout smoothie won't help you reach your goals alone. Make sure you're also getting more active!
To help motivate your workouts, invest in some great workout wear that’s not only functional but looks fantastic too. Shefit's Ultimate Sports Bra is a fully adjustable sports bra that provides you with personalized support - giving you a sports bra fit as you've never experienced before.