Swimsuit season is officially upon us, and that means it’s crunch time to get those summer abs we lust after in magazines. In this case, it means giving the body what it needs to actually get fit. You see, the problem with most modern “juice diets” and “liquid fasts” is that they sorely lack in protein, which prevents the body from being able to convert fat into muscle. In this green drink, we use the power of healthy fats and protein to get abs appropriate for summer.
Drink This to Get Abs For Swimsuit Season:
The Ingredients
- ½ apple
- ½ avocado
- 1 cup spinach (packed tightly)
- ½ cup coconut water
- 1 cup almond or coconut milk
- 1 tsp. flaxseed
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 2 or 3 ice cubes
Also: The Secret Behind Exo Protein Bars? BUGS.
The Process
Soak the flaxseed in water for about 3 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. The flaxseed should take on a gel-like consistency. Flaxseed that hasn’t been soaked is almost impossible for the body to digest, so soaking the flax before hand helps the body absorb the nutrients more efficiently. Once soaked, combine the flax with all of the other ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
The Super Foods
In this smoothie, our super food is flaxseed. It’s 25% protein and contains B vitamins, potassium, zinc, and magnesium, which all aid in fat loss and muscle gain. It’s also full of fiber, which means you’ll feel full quicker and stay full for longer. Flaxseed also slows digestion and balances blood sugar, which helps you lose weight in the long run. By balancing out the glucose levels in your body, flaxseed tells the body it’s okay to use stored fat as energy, which aids in fat loss and conversion to muscle.
The Logic
Juice is great, but if you’re looking for a way to transform body fat into muscle, you need protein. In this smoothie, we create a perfectly balanced blend of macronutrients by strategically selecting ingredients with carbs, fat, and protein. For carbohydrates, we use spinach and apple, both of which have tons of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. For fat, we add avocado to keep you full until your next meal. For protein, we add a scoop of protein powder and flaxseed to give your body what it needs to convert fat to muscle and help get that sculpted body you want for summer!