My Post-Workout Green Smoothie

My Post-Workout Green Smoothie is my favorite drink to recover from my longer runs! Don’t let the VERY green color scare you! This smoothie is naturally sweet and tropical from the pineapple and mango, while spinach and cucumber add plenty of greens without overpowering the flavor. Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and hemp seeds also give it a nice boost of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It’s deliciously fruity and creamy, and healthy for your gut. If you want to get more fruits and veggies easily in one 5 minute drink, this green smoothie is the one!

Healthy Gut-Friendly Green Smoothie

I just finished a 14 kilometer race-day practice run, and I need a smoothie ASAP. I figured it’d be a good time for us to make a smoothie together. Smoothies have been my go-to drink when it comes to post-workout replenishment. They’re such an easy way to get the right amount of protein and fiber without even thinking about it. I swear green smoothie is the best way to get in your veggies.

Warning, this yummy green smoothie looks really, really green, but I promise it’s going to taste delicious! I have the ingredients listed for everything, but I actually like to just eyeball everything. I have this gut-friendly, high protein green smoothie around two to three times a week. I alternate between this smoothie and another more fiber-based berry smoothie on days when I want more fiber. I personally like my smoothie not too thick, so I like to add an extra cup of water. But if you like yours thicker, you can skip the water!

Ingredients

• 2–3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cucumber, roughly chopped
• ½ cup frozen pineapple
• ½ cup frozen mango
• ½ cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• ½ cup pineapple juice
• 1–2 cups water, depending on your preferred consistency

Greens and Tropical Fruits

This smoothie has 4 different fruits and veggies: spinach, cucumber, mango, and pineapple (with pineapple juice!). This combination gives the smoothie vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and fiber. It comes out a deep green color, but you honestly cannot taste the spinach at all. It just tastes really fresh, very pineappley. Most of the sugar here is naturally occurring from the mango, pineapple, and pineapple juice, and it’s pretty sweet already. But, If you want something a little bit sweeter, you can also add in honey.

Add-ins For Extra Nutrients

To up the proteins in this drink, I’m also adding hemp seeds, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt.

• Hemp seeds: adds a really nice nutty flavor to the smoothie, as well as protein, unsaturated fats, and minerals including magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. It’s a great addition I’ve learned about while trying seed cycling!
• Chia seeds: high in fiber, plant-based omega-3 ALA, and some protein. Also thickens the smoothie and make you feel fuller faster
• Unsweetened Greek Yogurt: Make the smoothie rich, creamy, and thick, but also packs tons of protein.

How To Make Easy Tropical Green Smoothie

1. Add the greens: Add the spinach and cucumber to a high-speed blender.
2. Add the fruit: Add the frozen pineapple and frozen mango. Using frozen fruit helps make the smoothie cold and creamy without needing ice.
3. Add the protein and seeds: Add the Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.
4. Add your liquids: Pour in the pineapple juice and start with 1 cup of water.
5. Blend: Blend on high for 45–60 seconds, or until completely smooth and creamy.
6. Adjust the consistency: If you prefer a thinner smoothie, gradually add more water, up to an additional cup, and blend again.
7. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately!

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