By Miah Ayaan
Smoothies are a great way to get a nutritious meal or snack. They provide everything you need – healthy fats, protein, fruits and vegetables. Plus you don’t require any cooking skills for this. They are portable, convenient and easy meals.
So, to make a healthy, protein-packed smoothie you need to use one cup of fruit per smoothie. Then you have to measure every single serving of high-fat additions like chia seeds, nut butters and avocados because they can make you consume more calories. Also, try to add a handful of greens, such as spinach or kale, to boost your fiber and antioxidant intake.
Smoothies made correctly can be a great way to kickstart your day and the flavour possibilities are limitless. Try one of these 5 protein-rich smoothies that contains greens, fiber and nut butters to satisfy your taste buds and stomach.
Superfood Shake
Deeply coloured vegetables and fruits like cherries and beets boost athletic performance and helps in muscle recovery too. Blend 240 ml water, 1/2 cup frozen cherries, frozen strawberries, frozen strawberries and chopped raw beets, 1/2 banana, 1 scoop chocolate Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein or any other high quality whey protein and 1 tbsp ground flaxseed. This smoothie delivers 28g protein, 329 calories, 52g carbs, 4g fat and 11g fiber.
Berry Shake
This shake is packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, probiotics and phytonutrients. It can be used as a meal replacement too. For this recipe, you need 350-400 ml water, 1 cup of spinach, 2 cups of frozen mixed berries, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup of plain low-fat yogurt, 1 tbsp walnuts and 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds. Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. This recipe will provide 500 calories, 54g carbs, 57g protein, 11g fat and 14g fiber.
Chocolate Cherry Shake
According to a study, cherries can help in easing soreness after workout, which makes this shake a perfect recovery shake. Take 360 ml of water, yogurt or milk, 2 scoops of chocolate flavoured whey protein powder, 2 cups of dark cherries, 1 cup of spinach, 1 tbsp of ground flax, walnuts and cacao powder in a blender and mix them together. You get 530 calories, 13g fat, 56g protein, 47g carbs and 9g fiber.
Green Monster Smoothie
Avocados are full of nutrition, improve the absorption of antioxidants too and are delicious too. To make this smoothie you need to blend 300 ml of water, 1 cup grapes, 1 strip lemon rind, 2 stalks kale, 1/2 cup mango chunks, 1/2 avocado and ice if needed. This recipe delivers 9g protein, 346 calories, 9g protein, 62g carbohydrates, 12g fat and 11g fiber.
Protein and Peach
According to experts, you need 30g of protein to help muscles grow faster post workout. This recipe gives you 42g of protein. For this recipe you need 2 peaches, 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mint, 1 scoop of Optimum Nutrition vanilla protein powder. It gives you 468 calories, 40g carbs, 42g protein, 6g fiber and 13g fat.
Have you already tried any of these smoothies recipes? Share your views in the comments or share your recipe with us.
