When you step into a supplement store, you will see a variety of supplements promising improved energy, stamina, and weight reduction to quicker metabolisms, muscular growth and much more. But the question is whether they are safe to use? Are they regulated? Do they have any side effects? It is hard not to raise an eyebrow. So, would you not consider using something that is natural and do not have any side effects that accelerates fat burning, improves attention, offers you more energy, raises your metabolism and much more? Here, we present you with Matcha Green Tea.
Matcha is a form of green tea that is prepared by crushing young tea leaves into a brilliant green powder. After that, boiling water is used to stir the powder. This differs from normal green tea, which involves infusing the leaves in water and then removing them.
Scientifically, matcha green tea has proved to have health benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, as well as promoting weight reduction, reduces stress and much more; hence it keeps you healthy. In our last article, we discussed Matcha and Yoga in detail. It is an easy addition to beverages and sweets, especially because preparing a cup of matcha is very simple and quick. And the quantity of antioxidants in a single one-gram meal is astonishing!
Commercially available exercise drinks are rich in caffeine and include hazardous chemicals that might affect your health in the long term; therefore, we recommend homemade Pre- and Post-Workout Drinks & Smoothies since these beverages are high in natural sugars, antioxidants, and dietary fibre, which can help you stay energized and enhance your overall health and do not contain any preservatives that may be harmful to your health.
Now let us have a look at the best Pre- and Post-Workout Drinks & Smoothies that will keep you healthy and fresh.
1. Pre-workout Latte
Collagen together with matcha can boost your performance and prevent injuries. It is the ideal recovery protein for building and repairing strained muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Because collagen production in the human body gradually declines as we age, supplementing with a high-quality internal collagen powder can be the most effective way to not only look younger but also feel better on the inside.
So, why not give a try to our pre-work latte that will not only give you a fresh start but will also help you boost your performance.
Ingredients:
- Master Ceremonial Matcha or Eco Ceremonial Matcha
- Collagen powder (We love Garden of Life Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides and Sport Research Collagen Peptides)
- Water
- Your choice of milk (we recommend an easily digestible milk)
2. Post-workout Tea
It is very important to stay hydrated after a workout, especially if you want to recover correctly and retain endurance. For this purpose, you should take lots and lots of liquids. Water is indeed a great source to stay hydrated; however, you do not have to stick to water only; rather you should take a variety of liquids.
You can have coconut water, lime and matcha tea as hydrating post-workout drinks that will not only fulfil the hydration requirements of your body but will also give you a great taste to enjoy. Here are the key ingredients to your Post-workout Tea.
Ingredients:
- Master Ceremonial Matcha or Eco Ceremonial Matcha
- Lime or lemon
- Coconut water (If you are not in Bali to enjoy fresh young coconuts, we recommend Vita Coco Pressed)
- Fresh mint leaves
3. Pre-workout Green Smoothie
A nutrient-rich pre-workout smoothie is highly recommended to nourish your body as you get your heart rate up. Stock up on healthy fats with a reasonable quantity of carbohydrates and protein before your workout.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced by the body that causes us to feel joyful. Tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin by our body, is abundant in bananas. You can make a banana smoothie alone or in combination with other ingredients. Besides bananas, adding spinach, honey and pink salt to your smoothie improves the nutritional content of the drink by increasing fibre, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
The L-theanine in matcha powder has been shown to positively alter the amounts of dopamine and serotonin that the brain emits.
Here is the list of ingredients you can use to make your pre-workout Green Smoothie.
Ingredients:
- Premium Culinary Matcha
- Baby spinach
- Frozen banana
- Raw honey (we recommend supporting your local sustainable beekeepers and farmers)
- Pink Himalayan salt
4. Post-workout Protein Smoothie
Your body has recently depleted its energy reserves and need replenishment. If missing post-workout meals becomes a habit, you will feel fatigued and foggy, which will obstruct your recuperation. Your muscles will be weakened if recuperation is neglected, which will certainly lead to an increased risk of injury. A post-workout smoothie is a great method to replenish your energy. You will need additional protein after a workout session to help repair damaged muscle tissue.
Protein is required for the health of our skin, hair, bones, and hearts. You could enjoy making a protein smoothie for yourself even if you are not a bodybuilder. The key to making anything tasty is finding the appropriate combination of protein sources such as Greek yoghurt and protein powder. Ripe mango or peach and more add-ins as per your taste.
Here is a list of ingredients that can be added together to make the best and delicious Post-workout Protein Smoothie.
Ingredients:
- Premium Culinary Matcha
- Ripe mango (or peach)
- Frozen banana
- Milk of choice
- Protein powder (we like Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Organic Raw Vegan Protein Powder Vanilla)
- Greek Yogurt (we like Total Fage 2%)
5. Anti-inflammatory Smoothie
Inflammation appears to be an uncomfortable and potentially hazardous condition. It is critical to eat a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet to prevent chronic inflammation. A well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and calcium-rich foods is essential, as is regular exercise.
We prefer to start the day with an anti-inflammatory smoothie. Here is a list of ingredients to make an amazing anti-inflammatory smoothie:
Ingredients:
- Premium Culinary Matcha
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Frozen banana
- Black pepper
- Raw honey (we recommend supporting your local sustainable beekeepers and farmers)
With this Anti-inflammatory Smoothie, you can get the health benefits of turmeric. With this tasty smoothie ready in minutes, you may enjoy a nutritious breakfast or snack! Turmeric's main component, curcumin, is responsible for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been studied extensively and has been proven to assist with inflammatory disorders such as arthritis. Our anti- inflammatory smoothie contains ginger as well. The active ingredients in ginger include gingerol, shogaol, and paradol, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Keto Smoothie
A keto diet, also known as a ketogenic diet, is a low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat diet that can aid in fat loss. Over 50 research have demonstrated that it offers several benefits for weight. As a result, a rising number of doctors and healthcare professionals are recommending it.
Smoothies can be a convenient method to get the right macronutrient ratios when on a keto diet. Supplements can also be added to smoothies to help people improve their overall health. Smoothies with high-carb components like fruits, yoghurt, honey, and milk do not generally fit into the keto diet because it restricts carbohydrates. For those who rely on smoothies for a quick and nutritious breakfast or snack, this might be a problem.
Ingredients:
- Premium Culinary Matcha
- MCT Oil (We like Natures Aid 100% Pure MCT Oil)
- Keto protein powder (we like Pulsin plant-based keto protein or MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate unflavored)
- Half avocado
- Mix berries (blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
- Unsweetened high-fat coconut milk
Conclusion
Pre- and post-workout beverages are essential for increasing exercise endurance and boosting energy levels. If you exercise for longer than normal, consume a protein and carbohydrate-rich drink within 2 hours after your workout. Carbohydrates assist to refuel cells and restore glycogen reserves, while protein aids in muscular tissue repair.
There are a number of ready-to-drink energy drinks on the market, many of which claim to keep you energetic throughout your workout. However, experts advise to avoid buying energy drinks instead, prepare your own natural pre-and post-workout energy beverages at home. Natural energy drinks are lower in sugar (mainly fructose). Since they are homemade, you can simply adjust the sugar and other ingredients amount according to your taste and need. Moreover, in comparison to commercially available energy drinks, homemade exercise beverages are the finest alternative since they are free of any preservatives and include natural nutrients.
Go ahead and try our above pre-and post-workout drinks according to your choice and taste to stay healthy and energized.
Disclaimer: The products we recommended are based on our choice and do not have an affiliate or sponsor.