Our favorite green power smoothie post-workout drink is loaded with nutrition that will top your energy off and it provides an excellent nutritional start to recovery.  I selected these 5 foods based first on their specific phytochemical content, and as luck would have it, the combination tastes great as well.

Phytonutrients are the plant chemicals beyond vitamins and minerals – they provide the true nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. There’s more to nutrition than just carbs, proteins and fats. You need phytonutrients in order to take your health to the next level, and a green smoothie will provide you with them.

I combine all the ingredients of the green power smoothie in a Vita-Mix; it’s an incredible food processor that liquefies anything. Make sure you use something similar, not a juicer that extracts all the fiber – you need that as well. 

• Spinach; 1 cup

• Kale; 1 cup

• Frozen berries; 1/2 cup (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)

• Carrot; 1 large

• Beet; 1/2 peeled

• 2 green tea bags; brew for 2 minutes, then pour over ice to cool and then add to the smoothie.

• Greens First Pro: This green powder provides an additional huge kick to the nutrient content, plus it really enhances the flavor. It’s packed with hundreds of plant nutrients.

Add some ice and a bit of water – experiment with this to get the desired consistency. 

After a workout, your body is in what’s known as an anabolic state.  This is when it is most efficient at replacing the fuels and nutrients it’s burned. This is when you want to make absolutely certain you are getting the healthiest meal possible.  

Here’s a partial list of the power ingredients you will get:

•Complex carbs – The body’s main fuel source

•Antioxidants – Prevent aging and inflammation

•Fiber – Promotes healthy digestive function

•Alpha Lipoic Acid – The ‘universal’ antioxidant and precursor to glutathione, the body’s powerhouse antioxidant

•Polyphenols: boost heart health, immune function, pain relief and cancer  prevention 

•Lutein and zeaxanthin; powerful antioxidants

•CoEnzyme Q10; a powerful energy producing compound, helps restore the body’s energy currency ATP

•Chlorophyll; anti-biotic properties, antioxidant, anticancer

This is only a partial list of the amazing plant nutrients found in this drink.  Try to have one after each big workout – I guarantee you will feel amazing!