Recovery Never Tasted So Sweet: The Perfect Postrun Smoothie

Name: Chocolate Banana Berry Protein Smoothie
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
Cuisine: North American

By Jenny Sugar

Updated on 4/8/2015 at 3:02 AM

As grueling as it can be, the blissful high after completing a long run is what keeps you coming back for more. But if you fail to eat the right foods afterwards, headaches and fatigue can last for days, making it impossible to even consider getting up to go get the mail, let alone tackle another eight miles.

A recovery drink is easy to sip down quickly, but if you ran for an hour or more, a sports drink like Gatorade won't offer your body enough nutrients to refuel and heal those weary muscles. What you need is a combination of carbs to give you energy and protein to rebuild muscle; a four-to-one ratio of carbs to protein is ideal.

Skip the sports drink and reach for this refreshing post-run recovery smoothie instead. It's made with Greek yogurt and chocolate milk to offer muscle-building protein. The chocolate in the milk and banana provide energy-packed carbs. Since a long run can be really taxing on your body's immune system, the blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries will offer your body an antioxidant boost. Top it all off with some water for hydration.

Fruity, sweet, and satisfying, this smoothie should be consumed within 30 minutes of finishing your run. As a bonus, the water and fiber will keep hunger under wraps for hours. Keep reading to learn how to make this simple 350-calorie smoothie.

Chocolate Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

Cook Time5 minutes

Yield1 serving

Calories357

From Jenny Sugar, POPSUGAR Fitness

INGREDIENTS

3 ounces nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 banana
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup chocolate milk
1/2 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
Enjoy immediately.

Recovery Never Tasted So Sweet: The Perfect Postrun Smoothie

Chocolate Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

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