3 Smoothie Recipes for a Healthy Morning Routine

Want to build the habit of a healthy morning routine? Healthy breakfast smoothies are an easy and delicious way to get in nutrients early in the day. The problem many people run into when creating their smoothies is just throwing a bunch of fruit into a blender. While fruit smoothies are full of healthy nutrients and antioxidants, the fructose that you drink alone will spike your blood sugar, leaving you vulnerable to a crash in just a few hours. Not only will your energy levels be unstable, but you may feel lethargic and lack focus afterwards. Adding protein to your breakfast smoothie is key to a healthy start to the day. “Protein is hands down the best blood sugar balancing and satiating nutrient one can eat," says Julie Burns, a SportFuel® integrative sports dietitian and the Chicago Blackhawks team nutritionist.

• Protein helps you feel full for a longer time. It takes longer for the body to digest than other macronutrients such as carbohydrates and creates a feeling of fullness that can keep you from eating more than you should - the key to creating a healthy habits.
• Protein has the nutrients needed to build muscle, which is one of the primary benefits. Increasing muscle turns up the heat on your body’s fat-burning engine and boosts your metabolism.

The question isn’t “are protein shakes helpful?”, but rather, “what should I add to my protein shake to offer the most benefit?”. UCAN’s Energy + Protein products pair high-quality whey protein or pea protein with our proprietary LIVSTEADY™ carbohydrate for a steady-release energy to balance your blood sugar for hours and give your smoothie a sustained energy boost. Keep reading for some of the best ways to incorporate Energy + Protein into a healthy breakfast smoothie.   Chocolate Mint Smoothie This is a delicious smoothie with UCAN Chocolate Energy + Protein and a hint of mint! It’s satisfying and healthy, but tastes like a Mint Chocolate Chip milkshake. It is a perfect post-workout breakfast smoothie that will keep you energized for hours. Ingredients:

• 1 cup of milk or almond milk
• 2 scoops of Chocolate Energy + Protein
• 1 large handful of spinach or kale
• 1/2 tsp mint extract

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and puree until smooth, then add ice until you’ve reached your desired consistency. For an optional addition for a deluxe smoothie experience, add a few leaves of mint on top! Cocoa Almond Butter Smoothie This is the perfect breakfast if you love a rich, chocolatey shake that is actually healthy for you! It’s filling, delicious, and has extra protein for better recovery after your hard training sessions. The UCAN Almond Butter adds healthy fats and additional LIVSTEADY to supercharge your morning routine. Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk or almond milk
• 2 scoops Cocoa Energy + Protein
• 1 tbsp Almond Butter
• 1/2 banana

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and puree until smooth. Add ice until you’ve reached desired consistency and enjoy! Very Berry Vanilla Smoothie This is a bright and refreshing fruit smoothie that pairs well with early mornings and a busy schedule. It takes the health benefits of berries and adds LIVSTEADY and protein to give you a balanced breakfast that will not leave you feeling hungry and weak two hours later. Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk or almond milk
• 2 scoops Vanilla Energy + Protein
• 1/2 cup of berries

Directions: Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and puree until smooth. Add ice until you’ve reached desired consistency and enjoy! In order to start your day off with a healthy morning routine, add these smoothie recipes to your breakfast rotation. By balancing healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates from UCAN’s LIVSTEADY, you’ll be ready to conquer whatever your day throws at you.