Post-Workout Smoothie Recipe

Kate Glover, 01/18/2016

Spinach, kale, collard greens, watercress...whatever your preference, leafy greens are some of the healthiest, most nutritious foods out there. We’d all benefit from adding more to our diet! That being said, we know it can be difficult to fit greens into your daily diet. That’s why every Monday we’ll share one of our favorite green smoothie recipes with you. Whether you’re a healthy eating pro and leafy greens are your favorite part of your diet, or you’re new to healthy eating and aren’t sure where to start, green smoothies are an easy way to increase your daily fruit and vegetable intake. Start your week off right by trying one of our recipes or creating your own!

This week we made a post-workout smoothie that is easy for beginners and, like the name suggests, can help aid your body’s recovery after exercise. Nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods help your body after exercise by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and aiding in the restoration of muscle function.

Watercress and kale are leafy greens that possesses some “of the highest concentrations of antioxidant vitamins,” which is why we included them in our smoothie! Citrus fruits (like the oranges in our smoothie) are packed with Vitamin C, folate, and potassium that can prevent cramping and help regulate heartbeat. Bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium, and carbohydrates, which aid in muscular energy. Cherries contain “the same enzymes that are inhibited by many common pain medications, such as ibuprofen,” and have anti-inflammatory properties that can offer natural pain relief. And the anti-inflammatory effects of flaxseed help speed up the recovery time of muscles. Talk about nutrient-dense!

You can’t taste the greens at all in this smoothie! The oranges also made it very thin (more like a juice) so if you like a thicker smoothie, add less water. Here’s the recipe: