This indulgent Chocolate Coconut energy boosting smoothie is packed with nutrients and is perfect for the woman on the go.
This is post #2 in a 3 part energy boosting series.
In this 3 week series I’m going to provide you with tips and recipes to help you to boost your energy so that you can feel more productive and have energy to keep up with your hectic lifestyle.
Here are the other two posts in this series:
Click here for post #1 How to Get More Energy – 5 Energy Hacks to Boost Your Energy
Click here for post #3 All Natural Energy Drink + How to Juice Without a Juicer
Enjoy post #2 below!
STOP!
I see you weighing the pros and cons of grabbing your 3rd coffee of the day.
I get it – you want energy and you want it NOW.
It’s hard enough just to wake up as it is already. If you’re like most people you’ve probably lost track of how many times you’ve hit the snooze button.
You stumble into the shower, barely, with your eye halfway open. As you shower you think to yourself, crap, I have no idea what I’m going to wear today let alone figure out how I’m going to dress the kids.
Inevitably something gets in the way no matter how hard we try to plan ahead. Being tired in the morning definitely doesn’t help to make the right choice for a healthy breakfast. The first thing that usually gets sacrificed in the game of life and making sure that both socks match as you race out the door is a healthy breakfast.
Ugh, the dreaded breakfast.
What the heck am I going to make?
You think to yourself – I think I have a granola bar tucked in the glove compartment or even worse half of the one in my purse that I started to eat on the drive home.
Any of this sound familiar?
Well sit back and relax because I’m going to break down 5 energy boosting foods that will not only boost your energy but will also help you to manage stress as well.
All of the magic happens with this Chocolate Coconut Smoothie which is a great grab and go breakfast when you’re pressed for time and just want a quick and healthy breakfast that’s going to give you that boost of energy you desperately need.
Want to see me in action whipping this up? Check out the video below!
Now let’s get into this smoothie and your 5 energy boosting foods.
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains a unique form of saturated fats known as medium-chain triglycerides. Unlike other types of saturated fats, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) provide energy for your body, rather than being stored as fat.
The fats in coconut oil are not only energy boosting they also help to boost the amount of fat your body burns as well. It’s also great for controlling your appetite.
Manufacturers have added medium chain fatty acids to sports drinks and energy bars. You’ll see it appear on an ingredient label listed as MCT, lauric acid, capric, or caprylic. However coconut oil gives you a healthy source.
2. Chia seeds
Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language. Chia seeds are nutrient dense and pack a punch of energy boosting power. Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them high energy and endurance. They said just 1 spoonful of chia seeds could sustain them for 24 hours. As women with the many demands of life and commitments it can sometimes feel like you’re a warrior so why not eat like one 🙂
There are studies that show that it will give you endurance during your workout even more than a sports drink would but without all of the crappy additives – try adding some to your water bottle when you work out.
Chia seeds are also high in energy boosting Omega 3s which is great for brain health and mental focus.
Chia seeds are also very high in zinc which increases leptin in your body. Leptin not only helps to control how your body uses energy it also helps to regulate your body’s appetite, which is helpful if you’re trying to lose or maintain weight.
Due to it’s ratio of protein fiber and fat chia seeds are a low carb food that help to slow down sugar absorption in your body. This is important because if your blood sugar spikes too rapidly it leads to a crash or a drop in your energy level. This slow burning process also leads to boosting your energy, perfect for those busy work days.
If you want an instant energy boost try mix together coconut chia seeds and raw honey for instant boost. Want a quick and healthy dessert? Chia seeds can help with that too!
3. Spinach, kale and collards
Want to prevent a yawn filled afternoon? Energy boosting green veggies like spinach, broccoli, and kale are rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment that makes these food green and captures energy from the sun. That chlorophyll in plants also helps to produce energy in our body.
A lack of iron can result in a lack of energy aka you falling asleep on your conference call, so it’s important to eat plenty of foods that provide a hefty dose of this important nutrient to make sure your energy levels stay high. Spinach is especially high in iron which is important for energy production and making sure your body is getting enough oxygen.
Green veggies like spinach are not only perfect for boosting energy, they also offer other benefits like Vitamin C. Getting adequate amounts of Vitamin C and other antioxidants founds in greens will help to keep your immune system strong and healthy which can have an affect your energy levels.
Think beyond your salad, try throwing greens in your smoothie like the recipe below in addition to stirring it into soups, stews and pasta at the end of cooking.
4. Fruit
I don’t know about you but I’m tired of fruit being a dirty word. Yes we all know that fruit has sugar but fruit has a natural sugars that provide your body with that energy boosting power!
What I will say in terms of fruit consumption is that you want to be a bit more portion-focused with the fruits that are higher in sugar like mangos, bananas and pineapples. I’m not saying don’t eat them because I don’t agree with cutting out foods altogether, but just avoid eating multiple servings of these higher sugar fruits each day.
Bananas are low in fiber and are easily digestible, which means their sugar enters your body quickly for a rapid energy boost. When adding higher sugar fruits like bananas to your morning smoothie toss in some protein or a healthy fat because bananas tend to break down quickly by themselves which means that their energy benefits might dwindle faster.
Keeping your body hydrated is essential for boosting energy so fruits like mangos and bananas also have potassium which will help to hydrate and cleanses your body.
Fruit also contains Vitamin C and fiber that will help to manage hunger and with increasing your with mental focus throughout the day.
5. Adaptogens
Adaptogens are herbs or plants that help your body deal with stress and fatigue, all of the things which tank your energy.
Some of the best adaptogen to boost your energy include: ashwagandha, ginseng, holy basil, chaga and maca which I’ve thrown nto this smoothie.
If you want to learn more about energy boosting maca, check out this nourishing breakfast bowl.
I love to add these adaptogens to my daily routine anytime I’m feeling stressed and run down and find that it makes a huge difference in my mood and energy levels.
Incorporating adaptogenic herbs into your daily routine will help you feel calmer, less exhausted, and more alert.
Some other notable ingredients that I’ve added to this smoothie are raw cacao powder and almond butter. This post will explain the benefits of raw cacao in more detail. Raw cacao powder is one of the world’s highest sources of antioxidants. It has magnesium which is an electrolyte needed for energy production of every cell in our body.
It also helps to reduce and relieve stress. You’ll find magnesium in spinach also.
Almond butter is an optional ingredient in this smoothie but makes your smoothie creamy and is great source of energy boosting healthy fats.
Energy Boosting Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk can use a little less if you like your smoothie thick
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter optional
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup spinach
- 1 – 2 teaspoons maca*
- 2 pitted dates or your sweetener of choice like honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Handful of ice
Instructions
- Add all energy boosting ingredients to a your blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into your fav glass or smoothie container and sip away.
- Enjoy your energy boost 🙂