Centr Team
7 healthy smoothies to drink before your workout
Oh smoothies, is there anything you can’t do? A chilled glass is our not-too-heavy, not-too-light, just-right pre-workout meal (or sippable snack) – and the perfect way to replenish protein after a sweat sesh.
It's also delicious and healthy breakfast on the go and, unlike overnight oats, we don’t need to worry about meal prep. Smoothies are always there for us, at the press of a button.
Plus, when you have mastered your smoothie-making skills – instead of just throwing everything you can into a blender with half the bottle of milk – they make for a healthy, whole food that feels like a sweet treat. Who could say no to that? (But if your sugar cravings are a bit intense, we can help with that too.)
We can hear your blender revving up already. But before you press ‘go’ on our recipes, make sure you’re a true smoothie operator and avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t use sugary yogurts, sorbets or ice cream – banana has that delicious creaminess you’re after, as well as energy, fiber and essential nutrients. Frozen bananas will even give you the thickshake creaminess you’ve been craving without all of the refined sugar and saturated fat.
Don’t mess up your fruit to protein ratio – all our smoothies are both macro balanced and flavor balanced, so you’re getting all the nutrients and deliciousness in one hit. If you have been stuck on chicken breast and broccoli to build muscle, you’ll be excited to make smoothies your secret protein weapon.
Don’t use flavored syrups – our smoothies have the natural flavor and sweetness of fruit, and sometimes honey or maple syrup. Even syrups with artificial sweeteners should be treated with caution, as these can cause gut discomfort.
Don’t go too hard on the healthy high-calorie foods – we all love nut butters and chia seeds for protein, healthy fats and some amino acids, but if you’re putting half a jar of peanut butter into the blender, that’s not exactly balanced.
Now you know what NOT to do, are you ready to up your smoothie game?
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Coconut, Blueberry & Date Smoothie
We’ll let you in on a smoothie secret – forget syrup, dates are where it’s at. While dried fruits can be more concentrated in sugar, you only need one date to get that rich, caramel flavor in your smoothie.
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Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
Tired of waiting all year for pumpkin spice season? Get that warm, fuzzy feeling you love all year round, no matter the temperature, with this orange beauty. Give yourself a post-workout meal that feels like a special treat.
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Cherry Berry Smoothie
Cherries and raspberries make a delicious combo. But you can mix this smoothie up with any berries you have in the freezer or find on sale at the market. Just make sure you keep the quantities the same – it’s so easy to overdo the fruit-to-liquid ratio!
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Cinnamon Peach Smoothie
Peaches may be a summer fruit, but the great thing about this smoothie is it still works a treat with tinned peaches. And we’re not just talking flavor – tinned peaches are still full of fiber and nutrients. Just look for fruit preserved in juice (not syrup) and drain the juice before adding the peaches to your blender.
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Cranberry Spice Smoothie
Relive the festive season – without any of the stress! This sweet ‘n’ spiced little number is the perfect way to use up any frozen cranberries left over from Christmas – and make the most of those great antioxidants. If you’re really a fan of the tart cranberry flavor, you can use less maple syrup. Keep the festive spirit alive in your 2020 workout meal plan.
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Tropical Smoothie
Think a green smoothie is the only way to wake up refreshed? Try something tropical instead.
It’s fresh, it’s fruity and it’s packing a secret hydration weapon: cucumber! Yep, cucumber is a great way to add a fresh bite without overwhelming your headline flavors. Add pineapple and mint – and a little umbrella if you have one! – and it’s pretty much a poolside summer drink.
Tip: you can sub coconut yogurt for Greek yogurt and use any milk you like.
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Choc Magic Cherry Smoothie
Usually, something’s great when it comes with a cherry on top. We’ve flipped the script by putting choc on top of the cherry – and it’s incredibly delicious! Sure, it sounds like a dessert, but try this one tomorrow morning and you’ll see just how satisfying a breakfast this is. The balance of protein, fats and fiber starts your day better (and lighter) than fried eggs, bacon and all the trimmings.
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