Two Key Post-Workout Nutritional Components
Refueling with quality ingredients is a must after exercise. While the benefits of exercise, like weight loss and muscle gain, can be profound, the physical stress caused by rigorous exercise can do more harm than good if proper nutritional recovery is neglected. Two essential post-workout nutritional components are qualityproteinandantioxidants.
Quality Protein
Exercise can cause both muscle breakdown and inflammation that can be harmful if not managed with proper nutrition. Getting in qualityproteinthat containsbranched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)to replenish your muscles after a workout is a must. BCAAs have been scientifically proven to be the most effective components for protecting and building muscle. Without them, your muscles can break down causing unhealthy weight loss, decrease in strength and decreased metabolism.
Antioxidants
Just as important as protein are theantioxidantsfound in superfoods. Exercise-induced inflammation causes the soreness you feel after a workout, and antioxidants are key to battling that inflammation and soreness so you can work out more effectively during your next session. Also, reduced inflammation keeps you healthy and functioning optimally so you can feel great while exercising as well as at your other daily activities.
Your Best Recovery Option
Good news for you: Below are two smoothie recipes using ingredients that give you everything you need to recover in a single, superfood-packed smoothie. These smoothies include OrganicMaca Root Powder,Cacao PowderandPomegranate—antioxidantsuperfoodsthat support an active lifestyle—as well asBeet Powder, used by Olympic athletes and proven to assist in recovery. Both smoothies also contain Beef Protein Isolate, which is 350% more concentrated than steak and contains all of the BCAAs needed for optimal recovery.
Antioxidant Powered Recovery Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup plain kefir½ cup whole milk1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Pomegranate Arils1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Beet Powder1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Maca Root Powder1 scoopCalifornia Gold Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate
1 cup plain kefir
½ cup whole milk
1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Pomegranate Arils
1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Beet Powder
1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Maca Root Powder
1 scoopCalifornia Gold Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate
Instructions:
Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Add ice if desired.
Energizing Chocolate Recovery Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk1 6-inch banana1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Cacao Powder1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Maca Root Powder1 scoopCalifornia Gold Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate
1 cup whole milk
1 6-inch banana
1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Cacao Powder
1 Tbs.California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Maca Root Powder
1 scoopCalifornia Gold Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate
Instructions:
Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Add ice if desired.
