Losing weight has never been so delicious when you partner it with healthy post workout smoothies. Swapping out a meal for a smoothie comes with many benefits. Not only will you cut down on calories but you can pick and choose your ingredients. This way, if you want to change the flavor, you can. You can also add in certain vitamins, protein, fiber or anything else you might particularly need for your diet. Best of all, with the antioxidants, fiber and natural sugars, you’ll feel energized while boosting your mood and losing weight.
After a great workout, it’s important to refuel and recover your body. Eating a nutritious post-workout meal is key, but sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to prepare something healthy. For those days when you’re pressed for time, try a smoothie! Smoothies are quick and easy to make, and they are a great way to get the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to recover
The Post Workout Diet Chocolate Smoothie
After a workout you need to increase protein intake in order to help your muscles recover. Any kind of strength training is key to dropping weight and keeping it off (working your muscles helps burn calories long after the workout is done as your muscles repair). If you want to avoid the bulky muscle weight you just need to keep the protein simple. This delicious smoothie is perfect for it. To make it you’ll need:
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice
In order to adjust the thickness level of the smoothie just add more or less ice (less ice makes it thicker). This is a great smoothie to make if you have browning bananas you don’t really want to eat. Overripe bananas are sweeter and can add a nice element to this drink. The smoothie itself is packed with 11 grams of protein, 7.8 grams of fiber and only 346 calories.
Go Green Healthy Post Workout Smoothies
You can’t go wrong with any green smoothie. It comes packed with fiber and is often low in calories. This is true for the Go Green Smoothie. If you want a delicious, refreshing and detoxifying smoothie, this is the way to go. To make it you’ll need:
- 1 1/4 cup of unsweetened coconut water (regular water is fine in a pinch)
- 1 1/2 cups of chopped greens
- 1/4 cup of parsley
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1 small apple
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1 inch ginger piece
This recipe comes with several options. You can use parsley, or you can switch it up to mint, basil or even cilantro. A combination can also work. If one sounds better to you, go with that. You can also swap out the mango for peaches or nectarines. Try to go with what is in season for the best taste. Blend everything together for 8.3 grams of protein, 15.3 grams of fiber and 278 calories.
Low Cal High Protein Apple Smoothie
If you want something packed with protein yet is low in calories, this is the drink for you. To make it you’ll need:
- 1/2 Pink Lady apple
- 1/4 banana
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3 dashes of cinnamon (or more if desired)
- 1 scoop vanilla plant protein powder
- 1 tsp flaxseed
Blend everything together. If it is too thick add in an ice cube or two. All in all, this weight loss smoothie has 273 calories, 5.5 grams of fiber and 26 grams of protein.
Rick Kaselj MS, is a leading kinesiologist and injury specialist as well as co-creator of the best-selling Unlock Your Hip Flexors program. Rick creates exercise programs that help people heal injuries and eliminate pain, so they can go back to living a full, active, healthy life.
