Almond Butter Banana Smoothie

 

After a workout, do you find yourself feeling tired or hungry? It’s quite normal to experience fatigue and the desire to eat post-exercise. You’ve just worked your muscles and expended energy! To replenish that lost energy and aid muscle rebuilding, I have just the right post-workout recipe for you.

Nothing’s better than a delicious, healthy smoothie to cool you down and keep you hydrated. Drinking a nutrient-rich smoothie after your workout helps jump-start recovery and restore electrolyte balance. It energizes you and, in some cases, leads to less muscle soreness the next day because you’re feeding your body at the right time.

This almond butter banana smoothie is the perfect mix of yummy and healthy that will energize you after a workout. Drink it within thirty minutes after your workout, when your body needs to be hydrated. It’s also the ideal time for your body to process nutrients.

Healthy Ingredients

The ingredients in this smoothie make such a good combination because they provide your body with a powerful punch of nutrients and a plethora of health benefits.

For one, bananas contain nutrients that moderate blood sugar levels and antioxidants that are good for your body. They’re also a good source of fiber, which can help you feel full and reduce appetite.

Greek yogurt contains calcium, protein, and probiotics. Protein helps rebuild muscles and build muscle mass, calcium improves bone health, and probiotics are healthy bacteria that improve digestive health. Plus, Greek yogurt contains lower amounts of sugar than regular yogurt.

Almonds and their derivatives, such as almond milk and almond butter, are packed with vitamins, nutrients that are great for your body. Almond milk is a pretty popular non-dairy alternative and is a lower calorie alternative to cow milk. Almond butter is good for your gut and helps in weight loss, as it has fewer calories than regular butter.

When shopping for these ingredients, make sure they are fresh and in good condition. Also, stay away from products with added flavour, sugar, or preservatives. A quick look at the ingredients list at the back can let you know if it has all of these.

Options and Alternatives

If you’re not a fan of almond butter, you can easily swap it out for your nut butter of choice. Cashew or peanut butter tastes just as good in this recipe! If almond milk doesn’t appeal to you, try cashew milk, skim milk, or water as an alternative.

Vanilla extract is an option if you like a sweeter smoothie, but you can also use honey, stevia, or agave syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth. One thing to keep in mind: the riper the banana, the sweeter it tastes. If you choose ripe enough bananas, you may find you don’t need any additional sweetener.

For a non-dairy smoothie, leave out the yogurt and add half a banana and a tablespoon of either hemp, flax, or chia seeds, so you still get a protein boost. Then add just enough additional liquid to get a smooth, creamy consistency.

To make this recipe the ultimate power smoothie, add fresh greens. A handful of spinach or kale provides additional nutrients and fiber, and -sneaky, sneaky- helps you reach your daily goal of vegetable servings.

Lastly, for more variety, consider adding fresh or frozen fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, or any of your other favorite fruits.

Meal Prep to Save Time

This recipe is ideal for meal planning and prepping! It can also be a money-saver when you buy the ingredients in bulk.

To make smoothies in advance, decide how many servings you want to make and process according to the recipe. For example, if you want to have the smoothie three times during the week, purchase enough ingredients for three smoothies, prep and put all the ingredients in a blender, then blend. Divide and pour even amounts into three food-safe plastic bags or freezer-safe containers. Defrost a serving in the fridge for 30 minutes, give it a quick pulse in the blender, and it’s ready to drink.

RECIPE: Almond Butter Banana Smoothie

 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

 

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Directions:

1. Add ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until desired consistency.
3. Serve and enjoy!

 

Healthy Smoothies to the Rescue!

Give this recipe a try after your next workout to keep yourself hydrated and refreshed. It’s quick to make, easy to drink, and contains a lot of what your body needs after a workout.

Did you make this recipe?
Post a pic on Instagram and tag @fat.caterpillar.fitness so we can see your version!

****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Want more recipes like this delivered right to your inbox every month?

Sign up now for the Meal Plan Metamorphosis membership!

Put your meals on autopilot with a full month’s meal plan, complete with recipes, grocery list, meal prep guide, and more!

PLUS boost your fitness with VIP bonuses! Join now!
****************************************************************************************************************************************************