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To fuel your body while you get that heart rate up, we suggest a nutrient-rich healthy pre-workout smoothie. This recipe is packed with healthy fats and carbs to energize you. Don’t let the color scare you. This pre-workout shake tastes really good.
For me, drinking a daily smoothie isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s about taking care of your body and saying yes to plants every single day. In addition to fueling your body with tasty plant-based smoothies, it’s important to exercise daily. Walking, hiking, boot camp, chasing kids and biking are all great options.
I love to run, so that’s my go-to mode of exercise. It’s what clears my mind and burns off steam (if you know what I mean). I’ve even started a Rawkstar Running Club inside Rawk the Year and it’s been great. We’ve got some friendly competition to motivate us to get in at least 7.7 miles each week and we’re killing it so far.
Table of Contents
Ingredients in Pre-Workout Smoothie
As an endurance runner, I don’t want super quick energy, I want constant, long-lasting energy that doesn’t take much work for my body to break down. The combination of greens and fruit delivers the nutrients you need to keep you fueled for a long run or a big workout.
- Spinach: Leafy greens are powerhouse plants that provide nutrients and protein to any smoothie.
- Coconut water + water: Coconut water acts like natural Gatorade providing hydrating electrolytes your body needs to replenish the energy lost working out.
- Pineapple: Natural fight inflammation with pineapple, helping your muscles recover faster from a workout.
- Peaches: Frozen peaches are picked at the height of freshness and flash-frozen to preserve as many nutrients as possible, making them irresistibly sweet and healthy.
- Banana: Natural sweetness from bananas can help any smoothie become more palatable.
- Coconut oil: If you are looking to shed a few lbs then healthy fat is actually your friend, not your enemy. It helps break down the natural sugars from fruit and actually keeps you full longer.
This is one of my favorite smoothie combinations. It’s lightly sweet, I don’t even notice the spinach, and I can definitely feel the energy boost that helps me run faster and lift better during a workout.
How to Blend a Pre-Workout Smoothie
I can’t stand a chunky smoothie. If I’m going to put the work into buying good ingredients to make something at home then I want it to taste great. Here’s how I blend my green smoothies for the best result, every time:
- Blend the spinach, coconut water and water until smooth. If you aren’t using a high-powered blender then stop and scrap down the sides as needed to get rid of all those leafy chunks.
- Then add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth. If you’re using frozen ingredients, let them sit out for about 15 minutes before blending to help soften them a bit.
Using this two-blend method you’ll actually save time and get a better smoothie as a result. I’ve been blending smoothies for 11 years now and this method hasn’t let me down yet!
Homemade Protein Shakes
It is seriously easy, and less expensive, to make shakes at home. Ditch the super expensive protein powder and pre-made shakes made with inflammatory dairy ingredients and try giving one a blend at home.
If you aren’t quite ready for a green one yet, that’s okay! Chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and any fruit you want you can blend into a nourishing snack with ingredients you can actually pronounce.
I love a good protein shake and hate the fake sugar taste of store-bought ones, so I created several to fuel my workouts. They’ve taken on me on countless adventures and made me feel better at 39 than I did at 29!
Plant-Based Protein Powder
Adding a scoop of a clean, plant-based protein powder can quickly boost the protein of your smoothie. homemade protein powder is my favorite because it is organic and only has three ingredients (hemp, chia and flax) which is the perfect blend of protein and healthy fats.
It can turn any smoothie, including the one below, into a meal replacement instead of just a snack. I use it when I really want to fill my body up and have sustainable energy.
Pre-Workout Smoothie FAQs
Yes! Depending on the kind you blend, they can give you quick energy for a fast workout or long-lasting energy to keep you fueled for a long run or high-intensity workout.
My go-to smoothie before a workout contains coconut water, fruit, spinach and coconut oil for a super fast snack that gives me the energy to maximize my workout without weighing me down.
Coconut water is loaded with natural electrolytes, fruit provides a great energy boost, spinach and coconut oil provide protein and healthy fat and fiber to help your body break down the natural sugar into usable energy.
More Healthy Pre-Workout Recipes
Looking for more great pre-workout snacks? I’ve got tons of them on the blog because I love fitness and finding recipes that enhance my workout. You can access my favorite healthy workout snacks here. Or if you want three solid recommendations, check out these smoothies:
- Vanilla Protein Shake: More delicious than any powered version you can find, this easy smoothie is tasty and fueling.
- Chocolate Protein Shake: This will give you great natural energy as well as keep you full while exercising.
- Flaxseed Smoothie: A great energy and fiber boost.
- Caramel Protein Shake: A dessert wrapped up in a smoothie, protein powered and delicious.
- Almond Smoothie: Almonds and strawberries combine for a delightfully smooth snack.
Please rate and review this recipe once you’ve blended it. I can’t wait to read how it turned out!
Healthy Pre-Workout Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup coconut water
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup peach frozen
- ½ banana
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Blend the spinach, coconut water and water until smooth.
- Add the pineapple, peaches, banana and coconut oil and blend again.
Equipment
Notes
- Use frozen fruit to make a refreshingly cool smoothie.
- Boost with your favorite plant-based protein powder for extra protein and healthy fats.
- Swap spinach with the leafy green of your choice.
- For a smoothie with less natural sugar, swap out 1/2 banana for 1/4 avocado.
I think I like the smoothies with spinach best, and this one will be added to my list of favorites.
Oops I meant mango for peaches.
I really like this one! I replaced peaches with pineapple which I think I would prefer anyway. Unfortunately still recovering from covid so not back to exercise yet for the pre workout part of it. But will definitely use in the future as one.
My husband and I both enjoyed this smoothie. I did not have coconut water, so I added 2TB unsweetened coconut flakes at the beginning with the spinach and water.
Very good mix of all flavors.
I rather enjoyed this green smoothie. I think this will be a regular.
To me this is an excellent simple green smoothie that could easily be changed up for a variety by using different frozen fruits or fresh greens!
Another pleasing taste to start the day
Simply refreshing! The pineapple and peaches add a subtle flavor accented by the creaminess of the banana.
I found this so refreshing yet filling. I left out the peaches as I’m allergic and added just a bit more pineapple. I think this would be an amazing summer drink
Refreshing and tasty. Not as filling as some of the others which is a preference for me. Loved it and so did the kids!!
Honestly not my favorite but not bad. It turned out a little frothy not sure if I blended too long or something .
Refreshing but the flavor is just a bit too coconut for me.
Was a little bland for me, but maybe my frozen peaches weren’t very sweet.
Very good!
Honestly can’t decide which is best this one or the Beginners Luck. Absolutely tickled to have two great green options. Used almond milk because I still haven’t found a coconut water with low sugar. Maybe I’ll have to go with lite coconut milk instead. What a difference this challenge has made in our lives in just 8 short days. We “eat” earlier because its so quick and easy – clean up is a breeze – more time to do other things and especially feeling good no bloat!
Good – but not my favourite so far. Glad to have the spinach in this one!
Love the coconut flavor!