I’ve been a fan of post workout smoothies for many years and this recipe certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve teamed up with Maple from Canada UK. Inspired by their ‘Nourished by Nature’ booklet, we’ve already created this family fun exercise video and this delicious frozen maple and yoghurt bark. Hopefully you all got involved with the video and also downloaded the free booklet yourselves? It’s packed with 12 well-balanced recipes, specialist nutritional advice, exercises for throughout the day, and a beginner’s guide to mindfulness. For more information and to download the booklet, click here!

Today we are going to be making a great (and bright green!) post workout smoothie made with apple, kale and maple syrup. As a qualified personal trainer, I know that a good smoothie should include a good mix of healthy protein and carbs. Protein plays an important role in repairing and rebuilding your muscles after exercise. Carbohydrates should be your body’s main source of energy in a healthy, balanced diet. Please click here for more information on carbs.

Apple kale and maple smoothie

Good hydration throughout the day is essential for replacing the water lost through exercise and also to keep your mind focused.

This healthy smoothie packs a punch and the maple syrup perfectly balances out any sourness from the apples.

Ingredients

• 150g baby spinach
• 150g kale
• 4 Granny Smith apples (peeled and cored)
• 2 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust taste) 200ml almond milk or water if preferred
• 3 tbsp low fat Greek yoghurt
• 2 tbsp rolled oats

Method

You can’t get any easier than this!

Add all the ingredients above (minus the oats) to a blender or food processor and blitz until smooth.

Pour into glasses, sprinkle with rolled oats and serve.

Nutritional information

These values are per a 174g serving.

• Energy – 102kcal
• Fat – 2.9g
• Fat (of which saturates) – 0.6g
• Carbohydrates – 16g
• Carbohydrates (of which sugars) – 12g
• Fibre – 2.9g
• Protein – 3.7g
• Salt – 0.14g

Smoothies make an ideal snack or meal before and/or after you exercise. I have a smoothie post workout but there’s no scientific evidence to suggest whether there’s a huge benefit to either option. Smoothies are also great because they are portable, custom-made and they’ll give you a boost without making you feel overly full.

Don’t forget to download your own version of the ‘Nourished by Nature’ booklet. You will find a collection of 12 well-balanced recipes (including this one), specialist nutritional advice, exercises for throughout the day and a beginner’s guide to mindfulness. For more information and to download the booklet, click here!

Thanks for reading!

* Disclaimer: This was a collaborative post with Maple from Canada UK. All words and opinions are my own.