Superfood Breakfast Protein Smoothie

There's 14 ingredients packed into this ultimate superfood smoothie, and it's guaranteed to make you feel fantastic, fuelling you through the morning with a clear and focussed mind.

• 2x frozen spinach balls
• 1 ripe banana
• Half a ripe avocado
• Handful of frozen mixed berries
• 3 medjool dates
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 scoop LA Whey Gold unflavoured protein
• 1 tsp maca powder
• 1 tsp flaxseed
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp raw cacao powder
• Handful of coconut chips
• 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
• 2-300 ml water
• Ice

Add the banana, avocado, spinach balls, mixed berries and peanut butter to a blender.

Next add the powdered ingredients ie whey protein, maca, flaxseed, cinnamon and raw cacao.

Finally add the coconut chips and ice, and then the almond milk and water.

Blitz. Enjoy!

There are an awful lot of ingredients in this recipe and so the beauty of making protein smoothies is that you can add so many different ingredients for added goodness and altering the taste to suit your preferences and goals, so please do feel free to adapt this recipe for yourself.

So now we'll move on to explain why each of these awesome superfood ingredients were included in this cup full of goodness...

Popeye doesn't reach for spinach for no reason, and whilst the writers may have blown its strength gaining properties slightly out of proportion, it is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients and vitamins that promote bone and vision health.

Bananas not only thicken up your breakfast smoothie into a beautiful smooth texture, they also pack a punch in the nutrient department. Tryptophan will enhance your mood, potassium lower blood pressure and the carbohydrate source will give you much needed energy upon waking. Eating bananas also aids digestion, acting as a prebiotic.

A fantastic source of healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids, avocado is incredibly nutritious; vitamin K, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and Folate amongst many other micronutrients. Many wouldn't have known this, but they even contain more potassium than bananas!

Packed full of antioxidants to protect from free radicals that are released following strenuous exercise. They also add fantastic flavour to a smoothie, and may even prevent Parkinson's disease, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Dates are very much a carbohydrate source, and are rich in fibre which works to aid digestion and control cholesterol. They're also high in B vitamins which aid energy release, perfect for energising you following the early morning getup!

Peanut butter is a high protein, high fat source of goodness for sustained energy throughout the morning, and LA Muscle's peanut butter is the one to go for - 100% roasted peanuts. Avoid those with added sugar, salt and palm oil!

LA Muscle's whey protein powder has the highest biological value of any protein, meaning it is absorbed incredibly fast and ensures the amino acids are delivered directly to the muscle tissue that needs it. It's also high in BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine and valine) and Glutamine, four essential muscle building amino acids.

Maca root contains calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium, as well as 19 amino acids and fatty acids. It really is a fantastic wholesome, nutrient dense addition to your smoothie. It's also widely used to promote sexual function as a libido booster and at the same time balances your hormones.

A fantastic source of dietary fibre, flaxseed will help to lower your blood pressure and cholestero and is high in omega 3 essential fatty-acids.

Loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, cinnamon can also improve your sensitivity to hormone. Hormones are key when it comes to building muscle and losing body fat, lowering your blood glucose levels but also allowing you capitalise on a post-workout hormone spike for lean muscle gains.

Yes, chocolate is in there! Packed full of antioxidants (more so in this raw cacao form than cocoa), it has a lovely creamy texture and flavour, it's addition will also aid digestion and improve cardiovascular health.

Another awesome source of healthy fats on the recipe, is coconut. As well as the healthy fat content, you can be smug in the knowing that you're also getting zinc, iron and fibre.

Almond is rich in hearty healthy mono-and polyunsaturated fats and is lactose-free. it also tastes awesome!

Hydration is absolutely key, and so many don't consume enough water on a daily basis. Recommendations are generally in the region of 2-3 litres, and since we're a group participating in regular exercise, we'd say to shoot for 3-4 litres!