Creamy Avocado Protein Smoothie

This smoothie is amazing post-workout. It is so incredibly creamy and packed with good fats, protein and carbohydrates to help you to stabilise your blood sugar and support the repair of your muscles! We tend to be so scared of fats and carbs but they really are essential and if you are getting the right types they can actually help with fat loss when combined with exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

To make this extra refreshing, cut the banana into small chunks and put in the freezer for at least 4 hours first. I tend to do this on a regular basis, buying bananas, letting them brown slightly so they are nice and spotty (this makes them easier to digest) then cutting them up and keeping in the freezer so I have them at hand for smoothies, ice creams or delicious bite-sized snacks!

I like to make this fresh when I get in from the gym but if you are on the go it can be made in advance. Just make sure you give it a good shake before drinking and try to keep it cool for the best taste.

Ingredients

1 avocado
1/2 banana
2 tbsp of nut butter (I use almond butter)
1 tbsp of maca powder
200ml of almond milk
20g of protein powder (hemp is my favourite)

Optional: Add some oats for added energy or to change this into an amazing breakfast smoothie! Or throw in a date or two if you fancy something sweeter.

Blend until smooth and creamy. 

Pineapple and Banana Smoothie

This smoothie is so refreshing and this smoothie is best enjoyed in the summer sunshine! The pineapple adds a delicious sweetness, while the frozen banana keeps it nice and creamy! I always keep a supply of frozen banana in the fridge as it is the perfect thing to snack on or add to smoothies. Wait until the bananas begin to brown before chopping them up into 1/2 inch or so chunks and popping in the freezer.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

2 bananas (frozen in advance)
1/2 of a pineapple
500 ml of almond milk (add more or less to suit preferred consistency)

Whizz these all up, stopping the blender and moving the banana to the bottom when necessary. Once everything has blended into a deliciously creamy smoothie, top with chia seeds, desiccated coconut and fresh berries for an extra summery feeling!

Cacao Protein Smoothie (Vegan, GF, DF)

Pre and post workout nutrition is just as important as the exercise you actually do. Not only does it give you the energy to push yourself but it also provides all the goodness that you need to help your body recover properly. In my quest to find some easy post-workout solutions, I produced the most creamy and delicious smoothie I think I have ever tasted - and trust me it tastes much better than it looks!

I originally made it using an Imbibery London Cacao Mylk (recipe can be found on Instagram) but have since developed an at home version if you can't get your hands on one. I absolutely love hemp protein powder as it is really easily disguised compared to some alternatives and a 30g scoop gives 14.1g of protein. When you add that to the almond milk and peanut butter, this smoothie is a perfect protein boost to help recover from a workout and is perfect to grab and go. 

For me, this would usually be between meals but if you want to make it even more filling, try adding some oats too.

Ingredients (serves 1)

200 ml of almond milk

3 tsp of raw cacao powder

1 medjool date or 1 tbsp of a sweetener of your choice

1/2 of a ripe banana (freeze first for a more refreshing smoothie)

30g of hemp protein powder

2 tbsp of peanut butter

Simply place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Beetroot Breakfast Smoothie

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day by a million miles. Sweet and savoury are both totally acceptable so you can just go with whatever mood you are in. It is so quick and easy to whip up a delicious bowl of something so there are no excuses not to enjoy it every day!

A good, nutritious breakfast really is the best way to start the day as it levelling your blood sugars and getting a big dose of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. Having protein at breakfast helps you stay full all morning and regulates your blood sugar so that you don't end up with that mid-morning energy crash. This recipe is packed full with protein rich ingredients to kick-start your day with a big dose of healthy.

This breakfast smoothie really is one of my absolute favourites - it looks and tastes awesome, is really filling and only takes a couple of minutes to make. Even if beetroot isn't your thing, don't be put off - You really wont know it is there! (Beetroot lovers are welcome to double the quantity!) It is also quite thick so it also works really well as a smoothie bowl which you can cover in all sorts of delicious toppings.

Ingredients (serves 2)

2 bananas
1 handful of frozen berries
2 cups of almond milk (500ml) - I make my own which is the best way to avoid nasty additives
2 handfuls of spinach
1 beetroot
4 tbsp of oats
3 heaped tbsp of ground flax

For the topping

2 tbsp of chia seeds
4 tbsp of hemp seeds

Start by taking the skin off the beetroot and cutting it into smaller chunks. You can also cut up the banana to give your blender a helping hand too.

Then simply place all the ingredients (except the chia and hemp seeds) in a blender and mix until smooth. Add a little water or extra almond milk if it is too thick.

Then stir in the chia and hemp seeds and it is ready to enjoy!

Handy hint:
If your smoothie maker tends to warm your smoothie a little, freeze the bananas first or add a few ice cubes to the blender to keep it cool