10 Best Smoothies for Intermittent Fasting

Ever found yourself wondering what the best smoothies for intermittent fasting are? Then sit tight, because you’re about to find out.

Before we get too caught up in the recipes, let’s set the record straight on one thing. Smoothies are off the table during the fasting period of your day. Sure, they may be nutritious, they may be detoxifying, they may even be delicious… but they’ve all got calories in them. Not a lot, sure, but enough to wake up your digestion and put a halt to all your precious fat burning.

So, smoothies during the fasting period are most definitely out. But smoothies doing your eating window are a whole other ballgame. Next time you’re winding down from a fast, treat your body to a hefty dose of supercharged nutrition with one of these fantastically tasty, fabulously healthy smoothies.

 

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Not all fasts are a breeze. Let’s face it, some suck on an all-mighty scale. If you’re coming to the end of a particularly torturous fast, what better way to reward yourself than with a long, refreshing class of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness?

Packed with protein, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants (yep, that cocoa powder isn’t just delish, it’s a treasure trove of polyphenols), this vegan-friendly smoothie is a great way to treat your taste buds and flood your body with nutrients at the same.

As it’s quite rich, stick to just the one glass… if you can.

 

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 3 to 4 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
• 1 scoop dairy-free protein powder
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups almond milk
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

 

Instructions

Pop all the ingredients bar the almond milk and ice cubes into a blender. Process until it reaches the desired consistency. Add the almond milk and ices cubes to the mixture, and blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy with a few shreds of dairy-free chocolate scattered on top if you’re feeling naughty, or with a straw and a saintly conscience if you’re not.

 

Treat Yourself To…

1 Glass: Delicious though this smoothie is, it’s rich… very, very, rich. Unless you’ve got an iron-coated stomach and the constitution of an elephant, try to limit yourself to just the one 1 glass.

 

Key Benefits

Protein, antioxidants, polyphenols, magnesium, fiber, potassium, flavonoids.

 

Chia Seed Smoothie

Ending your fast with a bowl of something greasy, sugary, and dripping in fatty goodness might sound appealing, but it’s not going to do your body much good. This tasty chia seed smoothie, on the other hand, is guaranteed to do just that. Loaded with heart-healthy omega 3s, protein, and phytonutrients, it’s as virtuous as it is moreish.

 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp Hemp seeds
• 1 tsp Matcha Powder
• 1 tbsp organic green powder
• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1 cup of coconut water or non-dairy milk
• A handful of frozen berries and an equal amount of kale
• 1 tbsp almond butter

 

Instructions

Throw all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.

 

Treat Yourself To…

1 Glass: Caffeine and fiber are all well and good, but too much of a good thing after a fast can send you running to the bathroom quicker than you can count to three. Play it safe by sticking to one glass only.

 

Key Benefits

Essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber.

 

Kefir Smoothie

Kefir is a tart, tangy cultured milk that boasts some seriously appealing health qualities. According to studies, kefir can do everything from boost immunity to strengthen bones, promote good digestion to reduce allergies. It’s also said to give you a better glow than J-Lo. See what all the fuss is about for yourself with this simple, probiotic packed smoothie recipe.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup kefir
• 1 banana
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 lemon (peeled)
• 1 orange (peeled)

 

Instructions

Chuck all the ingredients into a blender and whizz until smooth. Enjoy with a straw, a few ice cubes, and a smug smile. Feel free to go in for a second glass if you like – the probiotics and digestion-soothing qualities of the kefir are just what your stomach needs after several hours of running on empty.

 

Treat Yourself To…

2 Glasses: This is the perfect smoothie for delicate digestions. Enjoy as much as you like (although most people find that 2 small glasses are more than enough).

 

Key Benefits

Fiber, probiotics, vitamin C, plant-based omega 3s, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus.

 

Pumpkin Smoothie

Breaking your fast with a smoothie is a great way of gently waking up your digestive system. Providing you use good quality ingredients, smoothies can pack a serious nutritional punch without overloading your system with calories. Take this pumpkin smoothie as a classic example – the banana and apples inject a good whack of vitamin and minerals, while the pumpkin adds enough fiber to get your system up and running. The addition of nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, meanwhile, gives a warming, spicy kick (and a fair few antioxidants to boot) that’s perfect for chilly days.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut water (if you prefer, you can use milk or a dairy-free milk substitute)
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 apple, cored
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• Half a teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 sprinkle each nutmeg, cloves, ginger

 

Instructions

Pop all the ingredients into the blender and whizz. You might prefer to hold a little of the spices back to sprinkle on top – it’s not necessary, but it IS pretty.

 

Treat Yourself To…

2 Glasses: While there’s enough fiber in this tasty smoothie to get your system working, it won’t overwork your digestion to the point of possible embarrassment. Treat yourself to 2 glasses if you’re feeling particularly peckish.

 

Key Benefits

Fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, antioxidants, vitamin C.

 

Pear Matcha Protein Smoothie

A fast gives your digestion a much-needed break. But eventually, it’s going to need to wake up. And so do you. While some fasts leave us feeling energized and full of get up and go, others can be a little more challenging. If your fasting period has left you feeling more pooped then pepped, why not give yourself a big wake up call with a Pear Matcha Protein Smoothie?

It may take a few minutes longer to make than a coffee does, but the energy-boosting shot it delivers is more than worth waiting for. It also packs a much bigger nutritional punch than a cup of Java, while the detoxing-power of its ingredients make for some very interesting reading. From the pear, you can expect a mega-dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber; from the Matcha, you can expect a super-charged dose of antioxidants; and from the protein powder, you can expect (you guessed it), protein!

 

Ingredients

• 2 scoops of your favorite protein powder
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1 whole pear
• 1/2 tsp. of matcha tea powder

 

Instructions

Pop in a blender and combine until smooth and creamy. Enjoy with a couple of ice cubes if you like to keep things super chill.

 

Treat Yourself To…

1 Glass: As the combination of caffeine and fiber can have quite the stimulating effect on your gut, limit yourself to one glass only to avoid any bathroom dramas.

 

Key Benefits

Antioxidants, caffeine, protein, fiber, potassium, zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium.

 

Avocado and Kale Smoothie

What could be a better way to break your fast than with this gloriously decadent smoothie? The avocado adds a delicious creaminess to the mix, while the addition of a teaspoon of spirulina takes the nutrition next level. Feel free to replace the water with almond milk or coconut water if you prefer – either way, it’s tasty as heck.

 

Ingredients

• ¼ avocado
• 2 cups of kale
• ½ banana
• ¼ cup berries
• Vanilla flavored protein powder (if you haven’t got vanilla flavor, any will do)
• 1 tsp spirulina
• 2 tsp hemp seeds (if you prefer, use chia seeds)
• A good sprinkle of cinnamon
• 4 ice cubes
• 1 cup of water

 

Instructions

Throw all the ingredients into a mixer and blend until smooth and creamy.

 

Treat Yourself To…

2 Glasses: This is the kind of smoothie you can enjoy a great big glass off without worrying about side effects. Feel free to enjoy 2 glasses if you’re ravenous.

 

Key Benefits

Essential fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Strawberry and Spinach Smoothie

If you like strawberries, give this recipe a try. Packed with vitamin-rich strawberries and mineral-dense spinach, it’s a great way to flood your system with some much-needed nutrients after a fast. With just 4 ingredients, it’s surprisingly simple to make (not to mention incredibly friendly on your wallet).

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of strawberries
• 1 large apple
• 2 cups of spinach
• 8 ounces of water or unsweetened almond milk

 

Instructions

Pop all the ingredients into a blender and whizz until you reach the perfect consistency. If you like, add a few ice cubes to cool things down (or, if you’d rather, you can freeze the strawberries beforehand).

 

Treat Yourself To…

2 Glasses: This is a cool, refreshing smoothie that will wake up your digestive system with a kiss, rather than a kick. 2 glasses should do neither you, nor your sleepy stomach, any harm at all.

 

Key Benefits

Vitamin C, iron, antioxidants, folic acid, calcium, vitamin K1, lutein, quercetin, zeaxanthin.

 

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie

Not everyone can take a carb hit straight after a fast. But if you’re one of the lucky ones that can eat whatever you want with no ill effects, this sunset pink, creamy smoothie is guaranteed to go down a treat. Packed with enough energy to constitute a meal in its own right, it’s a delicious, nutrient-packed delight that tastes just as good as it looks.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 1 banana
• 2 cups of frozen strawberries
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup

 

Instructions

Combine the almond milk, oats, banana and strawberries in a blender. Add the vanilla extract and maple syrup, give it one final pulse, then serve in a long glass. Candy pink straw optional.

 

Treat Yourself To….

1 Glass: This is a sweet treat that packs a good amount of nutrients into a single glass.

 

Key Benefits

Complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium, iron, copper, folic acid, vitamin B6, fiber.

 

Banana-Pineapple Smoothie

Pineapples can soothe your digestion, reduce inflammation, and hydrate you. Better still, they taste GREAT! Treat yourself to some tropical delight with this fiber-rich, antioxidant-packed smoothie. Not only will it break your fast wonderfully, it’ll make you feel like you’re drinking liquid sunshine. Cocktail umbrellas and a spiral straw are optional, but boy, do they help…

 

Ingredients

1 cup of pineapple

• 1 small banana
• 1 apple
• 2 cups of spinach
• 1/2-1 cup of water

 

Instructions

Pop all the ingredients in a blender and combine till smooth.

 

Treat Yourself To…

2 Glasses: Despite the fiber-rich content, the digestive enzymes in pineapple are more likely to have a soothing, rather than troublesome, effect on your tummy. 2 small glasses should be enough to brighten your day, revive your spirits, and get your energy soaring.

 

Key Benefits

Bromelain, fiber, vitamin C, iron, copper, potassium.

 

Almond Smoothie

This next smoothie is, quite literally, the BOMB! Packed with protein and other goodies, it’s a nutritional powerhouse. The addition of pineapple is the real cruncher, though: as a rich source of bromelain, it breaks down the protein in the almond butter and rewards your system with some frankly magical anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. For a chilled treat, freeze the fruit beforehand.

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almond milk
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 3/4 cup pineapple
• 1/2 cup mango
• 1 medium banana
• 2 tablespoons unsalted natural almond butter
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Instructions

Blend and serve immediately.

 

Treat Yourself To…

1 Glass: This smoothie is so packed with nutrients, 1 glass should be all you need to get your system popping.

 

Key Benefits

Essential fatty acids, bromelain, protein, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, folic acids.