Athletes know that nutrition is the key to optimal athletic performance. Most already eat a nutritious diet, but could a raw food plan for athletes put performance over the top? Read on to discover three amazingly yummy raw smoothies that will give you tons of energy for your toughest workouts.
Raw Food Diets for Athletes
Raw foods are becoming all the rage, and athletes are no exception. Many have decided to give raw foods a try with the hopes of increasing athletic performance. A raw food diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is very healthy and clean. Just make sure to supplement a raw vegan diet with vitamin B complex, especially vitamin B12 . You run the risk of developing a vitamin B deficiency if you don’t eat animal products. There are raw animal protein diets out there, but these smoothies contain only plant proteins, like flaxseed and hemp.
If you’re ready to follow a raw meal food plan for athletes, but want an easy way to start, why not try some raw smoothies? Raw smoothies are easy to make, and taste great, too. This is a great way to start adding raw foods into your diet. I have personally made and tried many different raw smoothies. The following smoothies are 3 of my favorites. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
The Get Up and Go Green Smoothie
This smoothie is raw and green, and packs tons of energy into a pre-workout meal. You’ll get iron, potassium, and protein, as well as vitamin C and more. Ground hemp seed protein powder is a very complete plant protein source. This smoothie is quick and easy to prepare, and incredibly yummy.
Ingredients
1 kiwi fruit
1 banana
2 tbs. hemp protein powder
1 cup organic apple juice
1/2 cup spinach leaves
3 or 4 ice cubes
Pour the apple juice into a blender. Break up the banana into several chunks, and add. Pulse the blender a little, then add the remaining ingredients. Blend for at least a minute, or until smooth and creamy.
High C Strawberry-Citrus Sensation
Full of vitamin C, this smoothie is absolutely delicious. Perfect for those chilly mornings before a run, this one will boost the immune system as well as help repair muscles.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic strawberries
- 1 tangerine, peeled
- dash of lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 cup organic orange juice
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 1 tbs. raw flaxseed oil
Pour the organic juice into a blender. Add the tangerine, and blend for 10 seconds. Now, add the strawberries, ice, lime juice and flaxseed oil. Blend for 1 minute or until completely smooth.
Tropical Treat
In the mood for something tropical and smooth? This raw smoothie is just for you. Full of beneficial enzymes, healthy fats, and vitamins, you can indulge in a drink reminiscent of a pina colada, with lots of healthy perks.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw coconut milk
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup fresh, raw pineapple, cut into chunks
- pulp from 1 mango
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 1 tbs. ground flaxseeds
In a blender, combine the coconut milk, water, and banana. Pulse for 10 seconds. Add the mango pulp, pineapple, ice and flaxseeds. Blend on high for at least one minute or until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
These smoothies are naturally sweet, with no added sugar, and better yet, they’re a great way to get started adding more raw foods to your diet. So, if you’re ready to see if a raw meal food plan for athletes will benefit you, go ahead and add a couple of raw smoothies to your daily food intake, and see if your performance goes through the roof.
Resources
1. Medicine Net: The Benefits of Vitamin C: https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=88519 .
2. MyFit: Hemp Protein: https://www.myfit.ca/nutrition/hemp _protein.asp.
