Life moves faster than ever. So instant energy is super important these days.
Fortunately, we’re not stuck with sugar-loaded energy drinks or Starbucks. Nowadays, you can get all the great flavor, awesome health benefits and energy you want with all-natural ingredients.
Why not try something new?
Mix up your own refreshing superfood shakes for a super-boost in power, performance, and mental focus.
Read on for the 5 most potent and easy shake recipes for your everyday life. Whether it’s a pre-work kick in the pants, an output increase for gym time or a tasty, mid-afternoon pick-me-up, these instantly healthy superfood blends always go down smooth.
All you need is raw ingredients and a blender for the best blast of energy and healthy ingredients – ever!
1) ✅ Tropical Spirulina Kiwi Refresher
- 2 peeled kiwis
- 1/2 cup pineapple or banana
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/2 lemon or lime, squeezed for juice
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon spirulina powder
- 1 cup water, coconut water or almond milk
- A handful of spinach or other leafy green
- Ice
If you offered this tropically tilted smoothie to an ancient Aztec warrior, they’d be happy to accept. Why?
Because the Aztecs used to eat spirulina! And now NASA uses it.
This concoction stands the test of time. It’s as bright and fruity as it is nutritious, thanks to the combination of juicy produce and spirulina.
What is spirulina? Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae. Not a glamorous or often seen food, this microorganism makes up for what it lacks in taste and popularity with potency and protein.
Spirulina offers you 4 grams of protein per tablespoon. Pound per pound, with all its vitamin B1, B2, B3, copper and crucial iron, it’s been heralded as the most potent nutrient on earth.
The phycocyanin that gives spirulina its blue-green color is a mega-player amongst antioxidants. Because it’s synthesized via chlorophyll, phycocyanin gives consumers cancer-fighting abilities, resistance to sun damage, control against joint and muscle inflammation and smoother skin.
If you’re thirsty like a plant, you’ll love mixing this drink with coconut water. Coconut water is the single most hydrating substance on earth. Awesome before a workout, this natural tonic is full of vivifying electrolytes and ready complex carbs for instant energy.
(Source)
2) ✅ Greek n’ Groovy Protein Smoothie
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 fresh or frozen banana
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- A splash of organic honey or maple syrup
Is it a coincidence that Hercules, the strongest man ever, had access to Greek yogurt?
Hmm.…
This thick and creamy Greek yogurt superfood shake is packed with natural muscle-building protein. A single cup of this Mediterranean treat contains 18 grams of dense protein goodness for sustained energy.
Yogurt is also teeming with healthy probiotic bacteria that promote optimum digestion, gut health and keep skin looking smooth. Plus, it’s a great source of immune-fortifying vitamin C. Yes, this smoothie will help keep you strong like a bull inside and out. The calcium from the dairy is effective in maintaining sturdy bones and wards off osteoporosis.
The hemp seeds add an extra dose of protein. Additionally, these edgy superfoods are loaded with the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids known to improve mental clarity. Enjoy this soothing smoothie after a workout to get the muscle-optimizing benefits from the hemp seeds and the banana. Potassium in bananas, as well as zinc from hemp, is crucial for promoting muscular functioning and allowing growth after a burner gym session.
And since we buy the naturally sugar-free brands (but never the sugar-loaded “low-fat” varieties), this superfood shake has only 2 grams of sugar.
You’ll get some added sweetness and long-lasting healthy fats from the coconut oil as well. Coconut oil is a mega-powerful superfood full of ketones, supplying instant energy to the brain without needing to be digested before use. People who eat coconut oil have a lower risk of heart disease, sickness and benefit from the fat-burning and appetite-curbing properties.
(Source)
3) ✅ Orange Spin-Banana Super Booster
- 1 peeled orange
- ½ banana 1 cup of spinach
- ½ cup of coconut water
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- Ice
Chia seeds are another ancient superfood. Chia is actually the Mayan word for “strength.” These small, dark seeds are great sources of protein (4g), fiber (11g) and healthy omega-3 fatty acids that fight post-gym inflammation. They’ll also invigorate your system with almost a third of your body’s daily dose of manganese, magnesium and phosphorous – key micronutrients to sustain premium energy levels.
Instant carbohydrate energy arrives from the fructose in the orange juice. The vitamin C from oranges is known to maintain the immune system, fight skin shrinking and stave off cardiovascular disease.
And why does every superfood smoothie seem to have spinach?
Well, because spinach is a great source of energizing vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers and antioxidants. Vitamin K is an energy replenisher and quickly helps your body heal. The vitamin A from spinach is essential to maintaining good vision while the choline improves mental function. Plus, the complex carbs from spinach deliver ready-to-use energy.
(Source)
4) ✅ Cilantro Green Tea Ginger Tonic
- 1 cup green tea
- 1 cup cilantro
- 1 cup organic baby kale (or another leafy green)
- 1 cup cucumber
- 1 cup pineapple
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ avocado
The caffeine from green tea gives this Eastern beverage a smooth, subtle energy that’s never jittery. Beyond the stimulating effects, green tea contains L-theanine, a neurotransmitter that improves focus and overall brain function. So you’ll feel dialed-in and be super productive.
Beyond the kicks, the thermogenic properties of green tea raise the metabolism for a time while antioxidants known as catechins fight cancer and keep our bodies inflammation-free. The cilantro is great for these painkiller effects. But if you don’t like cilantro (think it tastes like soap?), then substitute parsley or basil for similar health benefits.
Ginger increases your circulation and therefore the oxidative power in your brain and muscles. As a thermogenic, ginger raises your metabolism and improves performance.
Avocados are rich in healthy fats and ripe with clean calories. They also contribute potassium for muscle potency, vitamin E and vitamin B for replenishment.
Lemon juice is a natural diuretic which alkalizes your system and clears away energy-stealing levels of acidity.
(Source)
5) ✅ Amazing Chocolate Maca Protein Infusion
- 1 cup almond or coconut milk
- 1 fresh or frozen banana
- 1 scoop of whey protein powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon cacao powder/nibs or 70% dark chocolate chunks
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon maca powder
If you’re a fan of chocolate, we’ve saved the best for last. Even though you could drink this superfood shake for dessert, it’s benefits are main course quality.
Cacao or dark chocolate (70% cacao or above) is both incredibly healthy and energizing. With a pinch of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, cacao improves brain function and athletic performance in the short-term. Pure cacao products are also chock-full of iron, a key micronutrient for maintaining optimal energy levels.
We look to the whey protein powder to provide great levels of consistent body fuel. It’s recommended that you use cold processed, grass-fed whey proteins. Unlike whey isolates and heat-treated whey powders, cold processed whey offers huge health benefits from micronutrients and minerals essential to long-standing bodily performance.
And what’s maca?
Maca is a root vegetable from the Andes Mountains in South America. This superfood offers incredible benefits, such as increased energy, improved memory, and immune system functioning. For centuries, maca has been used by Andean cultures to increase libido and fertility as well. Enjoy!
One … Last … Sip ….
This has been your inside scoop of the 5 most powerful and energizing superfood shake available. No matter how you mix it, the superfoods we’ve covered in this post can and will give you the drive and potential to push through any situation. We recommend experimenting with these smoothies before and after the gym and as a breakfast supplements. This way, you can discover when they work best for you. Sip up and enjoy!
(Source)
Fitplan helps you achieve your fitness goals by sharing the exact training methods of the world’s top athletes!
Best of all? It’s free to get started!
[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Sign Up For Fitplan” style=”squared” url=”https://www.fitplanapp.com/subscribe” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#22272E ” txt_color=”#FFFFFF ” icon=”” icon_type=””]
