Since your body loses quite a lot of nutrients after a strenuous workout, you need to make sure you replenish them . The most important meal of the day is by far the post-workout meal . You have a 30 to 60 minute window of opportunity after your workout to gain the maximal benefits from your post-workout nutrition because your muscles are completed deplete of nutrient stores, and starved for protein and glycogen.
Protein and carbohydrates are by far the two most essential ingredients for your post-workout meal  . Smoothies are one of the best ways to uptake all of your essential nutrients after your workouts because the sources of these two ingredients are consumed in a quick-digestible form. You can add a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, and juices to give your body a much needed antioxidant boost along with your protein sources.
If you are in a crunch for time and want a quick meal filled with everything your body needs to refuel , a delicious vegan smoothie is your answer. These easy-to-prepare drinks are a great source of protein and carbohydrates, and boast loads of antioxidants to fight off free radicals. Try one of these great recipes the next time you arrive home starved from the gym :
Vegan Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
½ banana
1 scoop
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop Vega Whole Foods Optimizer
8 ice cubes (if using fresh blueberries)
Place almond milk, blueberries and banana in blender. Blend until fruit is crushed. Add in vegan protein powder. Blend until smooth. Slowly add in ice cubes until completed mixed.
Vegan Green Protein Smoothie
1 banana sliced
1 cup fresh kale
1 cup orange juice
½ cold water
1 cup frozen mangoes, pineapple, or berries
1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder
Blend banana, kale, OJ, and water. Add in frozen fruit. Slowly mix in protein powder until smooth.
Vegan Post-Workout Kiwi Smoothie
1 kiwis peeled a sliced
½ nectarine pitted, peeled and sliced
1 banana peeled and sliced
1 cup carrot juice
1 scoop Vega Whole Foods Optimizer
8 ice cubes
Blend kiwi, nectarine, and banana with carrot juice until smooth. Add in Vega Whole Foods Optimizer. Slowly add in ice until thick and smooth.
High Antioxidant Post Workout Smoothie
1 banana, peeled and sliced
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
½ cup orange juice
½ cup almond milk
5 frozen strawberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
Blend banana, kiwis, orange juice, and almond milk on medium. Slowly add in frozen berries until smooth.
Peaches and Cream Post-Workout Blend
1 banana, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen peaches
1 cup almond milk
Blend all ingredients until smooth.

