Vanilla Superfood Post-Workout Smoothie

This post-workout smoothie tastes just like an old-school vanilla milkshake, has up to 45.5 grams of protein, and you probably have the ingredients already.

Need we say more?

Combining bananas, almond milk (or any milk of your choosing), vanilla protein powder, and a touch of your favorite nut butter, you’ll have a five-minute shake that you can take right after a workout or in the next hour or so. 

It’s simple but deliciously homey, like apple pie or warm honey milk, without the dairy, high-sugar content, or, well, honey.

Even though it’s a low-calorie post-workout smoothie, it’s designed to fill your belly, help your muscles recover, and keep your energy levels high. Thus avoiding or reducing the crash that comes with some heavier-set workouts. 

You likely put a lot of effort into your workouts, aiming to perform better, have more strength, more endurance, and ultimately reach your goals. Consuming the right combination of nutrients after you exercise is just the next step in that effort. Support your fitness goals with nutrition that feels like a cheat meal but is still clean and wholesome.

We hope that you love this shake and make it often. It’s:

• Creamy
• Naturally sweetened
• Protein-rich
• Healthy
• Delicious!

Let’s whip it up! 

Vanilla Superfood Post-Workout Smoothie

One of the reasons we love this post-workout smoothie recipe is that ingredients are so readily available that you can always go back to it when you run out of fresh berries or other fruits. Even if they’re not already in your pantry, chances are that most corner stores will have them.

Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it.

Ingredients:

• 2 scoops Organifi Complete Protein
• 1 frozen banana 
• 1 tbsp nut butter (we recommend almond)
• 1-2 cups almond milk

Instructions:

1. Put all the ingredients in your blender
2. Blend until creamy and smooth 
3. Serve and Enjoy!

Each serving has:

• Protein: 45.2
• Fat: 10.4g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 32.8g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 14.7g

Upgrade It  With Add-Ins:

We love this vanilla post-workout smoothie as it is, but if you’re feeling like you want to add or vary the flavor you can try one or more of the following options:

• Top with ¼ tsp of cinnamon
• Add 3-4 crushed walnuts
• Drizzle ¼ tsp pure maple syrup 
• Sprinkle ¼ tsp vanilla spice

These small amounts will not change the nutritional values much, are still quite healthy, and will turn that post-workout smoothie into a treat you look forward to even more.

Why Drink It After a Workout?

Exercise breaks down protein and uses up energy stores and certain nutrients help replenish the body after a sweat.

We know the body needs three macronutrients to thrive: protein from plant-based sources or lean meats, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats - like avocado or nut butter. These very nutrients may be essential to help your rebuild existing muscle and grow new tissue after exercise. 

Having them right after a workout might help your body get the nutrients it needs to grow and recover.  Additionally, these nutrients may also help to restore glycogen stores used during the workout. Bananas give you energy with potassium and a respectable amount of Vitamin C. Almond milk keeps the recipe low-sugar and helps you avoid blood sugar spikes that may come from high-sugar protein bars, while nut butter provides a small but significant amount of healthy fats that your body needs anyway.

Along with complete vegan protein powder, this recipe checks our boxes for the ideal post-workout drink.

Organifi Complete Protein:

The star of this vanilla post-workout smoothie is our very own Vanilla Complete Protein Powder. Naturally, you’re welcome to try the protein powder of your choice, but when you see what’s in our blend - you’ll likely want to try it.

Made with a combination of superfoods, our vegan protein powder is soy-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly, certified organic, and gluten-free.

Our signature blend of pea protein, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, coconut, vanilla bean, and monk fruit is not only tasty but provides you with a reliable source of complete protein. Meaning it has all the 22 amino acids necessary to build muscle and thrive.

It also doubles as a multivitamin, extracted out of natural whole-food vitamins and minerals (no synthetic vitamins), adding vital micronutrients to your post-workout smoothie. Including Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and more, your protein shake goes from muscle building to full-body recovery.

We topped it off with digestive enzymes for maximum absorption and to avoid unwanted side-effects of other protein powders, usually dairy-based, like bloating and gas. Which is the opposite of feeling good after a workout.

Bottom Line:

We all need a mix of macronutrients, like protein, fat, and carbs, and micronutrients, namely vitamins and minerals, to thrive physically and mentally. This is especially true after strenuous activity if you’re exercising regularly support your efforts with natural foods that help you meet your body’s nutritional demands.

For such a small amount of ingredients, this post-workout smoothie packs a punch. It’s hearty, not too sweet, seriously tasty, and full of natural and healthy nutrients. The best part is that it is so easy to make, you can whip it up in just a few minutes and carry it with you in your shaker bottle.

Let us know if you try this recipe, and if you do tag us in it. We’d love to see your creations, and even if you don’t have it as a post-workout smoothie (it makes a great breakfast or meal replacement when you want to lean down,) we’d love to hear all about it. Share with a gym buddy and have fun with it!