Did you know that Beets are a great source of nitrates? Not to be confused with the not so good kind of nitrates that are found in cured meats. The nitrates in beets are naturally occurring that turn into Nitrite Oxide. Nitrite oxide is known to improve blood flow in the vessels which can lead to increased exercise performance. Beets are also great for helping decrease blood pressure as well as overall improved cardiovascular health.
I prefer to eat beets in their whole form but I recently discovered beetroot powder, which is the perfect addition to any smoothie or shake, especially pre-workout!
I was lucky enough to find Work Out Life- Beetroot Powder from Marshall’s. Naturally after finding this super-food powder, I had to run back and try it. Check out the recipe below that I included it in.
The below recipe may be a bit too heavy to have right before your morning workout. But it’s a great breakfast or lunch smoothie if you tend to workout out later on in the day. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to digest (2-3 hours).
If you don’t workout, beets are still great to incorporate in your diet as they are an excellent source of folate (folic acid) and a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. They are also known to be one of the best liver cleansing foods (great for detoxing).
My plan next is to try this beetroot powder with just plain water to have pre-workout– I will keep you posted on how that turns out and if I’ve seen any improvements in my workout performance.
BEETROOT SMOOTHIE RECIPE:
1 tablespoon of beetroot powder (I used Work Out Life Beetroot Powder)*
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup of frozen organic berries (i used raspberries)
1 cup of your favorite milk (I used cashew mylk)
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
2 tablespoons of nut butter
1 handful of kale
1-2 scoops of your favorite protein powder (I used Further Collagen Peptides – use discount code FITGREENGAL10 for 10% off + free shipping).
Blend on high and enjoy!
*When trying a new supplement, it’s best to discuss with your doctor first.
What are some of your favorite pre and post workout recovery meals/smoothies?
