Packed with protein and perfectly creamy, this refreshing Orange Banana Smoothie comes together fast for an easy breakfast or post workout snack.
If you’ve been following Eating Bird Food for a minute, you know I value balanced snacks and meals. I always try to get a balance of lean protein, healthy fats and carbs in at each meal. This is especially important after working out… let’s chat about why!
When you workout, your muscles use up glycogen stores to fuel your muscles. In most types of workouts, your muscles are also breaking and rebuilding (if you allow enough rest and proper nutrition between workouts). I try to eat something as soon as I can after working out to help with the recovery process.
I recently created this smoothie to refuel. If you struggle with having an appetite after a workout, try this smoothie! It’s light, refreshing and the perfect mix of carbohydrates and protein to help your body recover.
Why are carbs important post workout?
Remember when I said that your muscles use up glycogen stores during a workout? They pull from your glycogen stores for energy. These stores don’t magically regenerate, you need to eat carbohydrates to replenish them! If you’re doing endurance sports or a lot of cardio (for example: running or swimming), you’ll need more carbs than if you are doing resistance training (light weight lifting).
What does protein do post workout?
Most workouts lead to muscle breakdown. This sounds negative but is actually a good thing as long as you rest enough and fuel properly to repair your muscles which leads to building. Making sure you get enough protein post workout, ensures that your body has the right amino acids to rebuild your muscles.
How to Make a High Protein Smoothie
This quick and easy smoothie is perfect for refueling after workouts. It has a banana and orange which provide carbohydrates. I love using whole food sources of carbs to refuel… instead of highly processed carbs like cookies and crackers. For protein, I used 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder. I love using protein powder after a workout because it’s quick and easy. Much easier than grilling up a chicken breast or frying an egg. 😉 I also added coconut flakes, chia seeds (flaxseeds work great too) for healthy fats, which make the smoothie satisfying and filling.
If you make this Orange Banana Smoothie be sure to leave a comment and start rating below letting me know how it turns outs. Your feedback is so helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.
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PinDescription
Packed with protein and perfectly creamy, this refreshing Orange Banana Smoothie comes together fast for am easy breakfast or post workout snack.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 navel orange, peeled
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed
- 1 Tablespoon dried coconut flakes
- 1/2 –1 cup milk (I like unsweetened almond or coconut milk)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (staring with 1/2 cup milk) into a high powered blend and blend until smooth. You can add more milk into the blender if the smoothie seems to thick. Once the consistency is perfect, pour into a glass and enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie
- Calories: 418
- Sugar: 28g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 25g
Keywords: orange banana smoothie
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
I’m going to have a long phone call with my mom – it’s her birthday! And make some Mexican zucchini with cumin, chili and onions. Yum!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I think I am going to have this as a snack today! The orange and coconut sound SO good together.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I had a very similar smoothie this morning – with mango, banana, coconut, spinach, and vanilla protein powder. I’m not crazy about the texture that the coconut adds, but the flavor was definitely yummy.
Guacamole MUST be celebrated today 😉
McKella says
We’re going out to breakfast for our 3 year anniversary, which is actually tomorrow. That is, we’ll go if he ever gets out of bed! I want a giant, warm cinnamon roll. I’ll probably have something Mexican-themed for dinner, like a bean burrito. Exciting.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I am taking my first cardio kickboxing class.. I know.. very Cinco de Mayo..right?
Gillian says
I think I’m celebrating with Japanese tapas 🙂
Eating Bird Food says
Love it! I had edamame today – quite fitting. 🙂
Kelly says
Yum. It’s definitely FINALLY getting warm again for a good smoothie. I love the idea of one with tropical flavors.
Abby says
That smoothie sounds awesome! 🙂 I don’t know what I am going to do to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I am looking forward to just relaxing and hanging out on my first day of summer! I will be making something Mexican for lunch and supper though!
Max says
A splash of lime would be epic! And a pinch of sea salt maybe
hippierunner says
Fiesta for the mouth-ahaha!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
I totally missed the Cinco de Mayo boat, but this smoothie looks awesome! Plans for today: finish up work, go to physio, make some dinner, watch Battlestar Galactica!
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
that smoothie combo sounds great! if only I had a blender…
Lauren says
This sounds delicious!
Kelly says
Now that looks better than any margarita!!! YUM!
Elena @ GagaForGrapefruit says
that smoothie sounds delish girl!
Tiff says
Guac! That’s what I forgot to order yesterday! Darn. Oh well… guess I might have to whip some up this weekend. ; ) I enjoyed some good salsa though… but it was with a ton of chips. Whoopy-daisy!
natalie (the sweets life) says
i went the margarita route instead of the smoothie right but i have to remember this combo…YUM!
Sues says
Totally a festive treat! Now if you just added in some tequila… 🙂
Guacamole is my fave, too!
Megan@eatmybeets says
Looks yum! Though I must admit, I’m not much of a smoothie person. I like chewing I think… and thick textures. I went to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place and waited a long time for service, but it was fun since I spent some time with a friend.
Haylee says
Yum, this sounds moy delishioso! (That is my attempt at spanish, considering this smoothie is for Cinco De Mayo and all. 😉 Really though this sounds excellent! Especially because it has oranges in it, exactly what my sore throat is wanting right now.
Lee says
I am considering buying a juicer. Do you have a recommendation?
Brittany Mullins says
Definitely! How much are you wanting to spend? My favorite juicer is the Hurom Slow Juicer, but it’s pricey. The Breville Juice Fountain has good reviews and is more budget friendly. I’m also a big fan of drinking blended juices that I make in my Vitamix!
Holly says
I haven’t made a smoothie in FOREVER. My husband will drink them all winter. Hopefully I get back into it once it warms up more!
Ten kitchen says
Time for this smoothie!
★★★★★