Supercharge Your Smoothie
When it comes to breakfast options, shakes and smoothies are a ubiquitous choice. Hassle-free, quick and no cooking required (especially great when it’s 6am and you have to be out the door by 6.10am) they’re an easy choice for busy people and are healthy. Right? Well, it’s what you put in them that really counts. Choose badly and it can not only interfere with your training programme, it can result in unintentional calories and weight gain. Done right, smoothies are a nutritious alternative packed full of energising, satisfying and healthy ingredients that will set you up for the day in the right way.
Load up on vegetables
Dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale and broccoli are a great addition. Packed full of iron, protein and fibre, they’re also low in sugar and calories and adding them into your smoothie is a great way of upping your intake if it’s otherwise tricky to do. They’re also rich in vitamin C to support collagen production and boost immune function and they’re high in antioxidants to help protect against free radical damage and fight inflammation. If you don’t happen to have an endless supply of fresh greens to hand, then Workshop’s Essential Greens is a great alternative. For an added boost it also contains digestive enzymes to promote a healthy digestive system and allow optimum absorption of vitamins and minerals, perfect for increasing and maintaining your energy levels throughout the day.
Add good fats
As well as providing you with an extra dose of protein, a scoop of your favourite nut butter offers up a good source of heart-healthy fats, which are essential for maintaining good cholesterol, giving energy and supporting cell growth. Be wary of portion control though, as despite being healthy, nuts are high in calories; a tablespoon is a good serving to add to your blender.
Make it protein-rich
If your smoothie is acting as a replacement for breakfast, then you’ll need a good source of protein to help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you feeling sated and full for longer. A protein powder is a convenient way to get your intake, but make sure you choose one that’s as healthy and uncompromised as possible. Workshop’s Organic Vanilla Pea Protein Formula is a clean source of protein derived from fermented yellow peas for easier digestibility. As well as being 100% vegan and GMO-free, the purity of the ingredients means it contains no trace heavy minerals associated with other mixed blends.
Fill up on fibre
A good breakfast smoothie should contain a decent helping of fibre. Helping you stay fuller for longer (helpful at warding off those mid-morning cravings), a good source of fibre is also essential for a healthy gut. For a quick and easy addition to your smoothie add two teaspoons of Workshop’s Gut Cleansing Formula into the mix. It features a blend of twelve soluble and insoluble essential fibres including carrot fibre, as well as cranberry seed powder, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to help protect the body from oxidative stress.