Smoothies are a great way to start any day, especially for people don’t have a lot of time in the morning to prepare and eat breakfast. Smoothies are a splendid solution for a quick pre-yoga meal or snack, as they are a great way to fuel up with protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats without feeling too full. Smoothies have a lot of health benefits too, such as being a great way to get more fruit and vegetables into your diet. And if you add a little yogurt, you get the benefits of probiotics too.
Why make a pre-yoga breakfast smoothie?
Well, the answer is simple: it’s the only way you’re going to survive a yoga class in the morning without passing out from hunger. Without blood sugar, you’re going to run out of energy, and without energy, you’re going to find it nearly impossible to get into a state of Zen during your yoga session. Having a breakfast smoothie that you can prep or make the night before and take with you to class is a great idea to save time and money.
How do you make a good yoga smoothie?
A good smoothie should be delicious, nutritious, and very easy to digest at the same time. The ingredients you need to make a good smoothie are pretty basic and easy to find at your local market. Fresh fruits and veggies are preferred, but you can also purchase frozen prepared ingredients to make it easier. It’s usually a good idea to have a variety of healthy foods on hand to keep your pre-yoga smoothie diversified and interesting.
While there are no hard and fast rules for making a good smoothie, there are two tips that can help you make a delicious one that packs as much nutrition as possible. The first is to use a blender with enough power to pulverize your ingredients. The more ingredients you put in, the more power you’ll need. A high-speed blender, like a Vitamix, is optimal, or you can opt for a food processor if you prefer.
The second tip is to stick with simple ingredients. Your body is going to have trouble digesting the smoothie if it contains a lot of different ingredients. Adding too many things will also make the taste less interesting. It should be composed of a liquid base, fruits and veggies, and a source of protein. Aim for 4-6 ingredients for the best results.
5 Steps to make a pre-yoga smoothie
Decide on your base
Your liquid base is what makes your smoothie a smoothie. It can be as simple as water or coconut water, or you can opt for a milkier alternative. Examples of these are almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. If you want creamy smoothies, then your liquid base should be some kind of milk or add some yogurt. If you don’t want a creamy texture, you can use fruit juice or green tea. Decide on your liquid base according to your taste and dietary needs.- Choose your fruits
Most fruits help to improve digestion and are chock full of things like antioxidants and vitamins. From banana to mango to pineapple—there are a lot of fruits you can choose from. The most important thing is to see that the fruits you will use are fresh, in season, and preferably organic. The best fruits to use are berries, bananas, stone fruits (peaches, plums, mangoes, nectarines), and citrus fruits (pineapples, oranges, lemons, limes). - Choose your veggies
If you want your smoothie to be as nutritious as possible, you need to choose your veggies wisely. Choose light veggies, because when you do yoga, you shouldn’t feel bloated or full. The best veggies to use are leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard), avocado, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, and pumpkin. - Choose your protein
Adding a plant-based protein to your smoothie will give you an energy boost and support a more flexible and strengthened body. Protein is essential for yogis to promote lean muscle mass, immune function, energy levels, weight control and detoxification. A quick and easy option is to add a scoop or two of a protein powder. Whey protein is a popular option in smoothie bases, but it isn’t the only one. Other types of protein powders include soy, which is a good option for those with milk allergies or who are lactose intolerant, and casein, which is particularly good for those who don’t particularly enjoy whey. Other protein options to use are chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, nut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, or edamame. - Boost with super foods
Super foods are both nutrient dense and nutrient rich. They contain lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy, as well as plenty of fiber and other nutrients that help keep your digestive system working properly. When you are looking to add more super food to a smoothie, there are several options. For instance, you could add in some chia seeds, hemp hearts or flax seeds, which are a significant source of protein, Omega-3s and fiber. Another option is adding some acai berries or goji berries, super fruits which are rich in antioxidants. Using ginger or turmeric will add some flavor and give you an anti-inflammatory boost. A quick and easy option is to use a green super food powder. This one ingredient can super charge your pre-yoga breakfast smoothie.
Decide on your baseThe basic smoothie recipe
1 to 1 1/2 cups liquid base
2 to 3 cups fruit and/or vegetables
1-2 scoops of protein
1-2 scoops of super foods
Instructions: Add all the ingredients to the jar of your blender. With the lid on, blend on medium-high speed until smooth. Add additional liquid if necessary. Pour, serve and enjoy!
Other tips
Making a smoothie is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get the nutrients your body needs to be healthy and fit. You can just pour the smoothie made from your blender, and off you go to yoga class! However, if you do not have the time to look up recipes, shop for ingredients, and prep and blend your smoothies, you can shop around to find the best smoothie delivery services for your needs and preferences. These smoothie delivery companies offer expertly curated recipes with all the ingredients you need to prepare them! You may also find your local health food market offers fresh smoothies for those on the go.
Remember to not go crazy with the number of ingredients and opt for a simple combination of fruits, veggies and proteins. This will ensure a good balance of energy and blood sugar levels. Superfoods are a good healthy add-ons, but do not overdo them. You can get fancy and top your delicious smoothie with a sprinkle of fresh berries or seeds.
Try to not add any additional sugars to your smoothie. To adjust the sweetness, add more fruit or a pinch of cinnamon. If needed, you can add a tiny amount of raw honey.
Smoothies aren’t just for eating before or after your yoga practice. You can use them any time of day to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to feel good and stay healthy.
It is important to eat a balanced diet, so do not rely on smoothies as your only source of nutrition.
You should continue to explore and discover your favorite recipes as you begin whipping up these tasty, healthy pre-yoga breakfast smoothies, as it will take time before you find the right one for you. Everyone has their own preferences for taste and texture, and it is understandable that you have them as well.
Conclusion
A quick and easy smoothie is the perfect way to give yourself some extra energy and to ensure you’re getting some quality vitamins and nutrients into your system in time for your post-workout stretching session (or at home workout). Smoothies are also great for incorporating fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients into your diet that you may not get enough of in your daily meals.
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