Smoothies are a great way to ensure that your body gets a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables, and the Vitamix makes them so easy. You can enhance your smoothie with a protein boost at breakfast, after a workout, or as a mid-afternoon snack.

The Triple Berry Smoothie makes a delicious breakfast, and keeps you energized with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and low-fat yogurt.

Cooling down after a workout? Reach for a high-protein-greens smoothie like the Emerald Smoothie with fresh, leafy spinach to build and repair muscle tissue.

The Tropical Cooler with tofu makes a light lunch or portable snack.

Try these tips for boosting protein in your smoothie recipes:

  1. Add a handful of nuts or a couple tablespoons of flax or chia seeds to your smoothie. Not only do they provide protein, but are great sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Great for post workout muscle soreness. Just remember that nuts and seeds should be the last ingredients placed in the Vitamix container, on top of your other ingredients.
  2. There are many types of protein powders available, whey, egg white, soy, rice. Whichever protein source you select, use an unflavored version to avoid any unnecessary sugars or artificial flavors.
  3. Vegan protein powders are really on the rise. Try hemp powder to your smoothie. It has a nutty flavor, is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and delivers 15 g of highly absorbable protein.
  4. Use Greek yogurt over regular yogurt. It makes for a thicker smoothie and has 20g of protein per cup. Choose plain over flavored to reduce the amount of added sugar.
  5. Add a couple tablespoons of homemade nut butter. Be sure not to use any added oils or sugar.

When crafting a post workout smoothie, keep in mind a few things. Your muscles need a combination of protein and carbohydrate to replenish their glycogen stores and recover.

  • Choosing naturally sweet fruit (bananas, mango, sweet cherries, grapes) that have a higher glycemic index is preferred over juices or powders.
  • Add at least 15g of protein to your smoothie and drink within 30 minutes of your workout to optimize post exercise calorie burn.
  • Always include a couple large handfuls of green leafy vegetables to your smoothie for an antioxidant boost.
  • Lastly, include a source of healthy fat high in omega 3s to enhance muscle recovery and enhance absorption of the fat soluble vitamins in the greens.