When working with my clients on nutrition, I always encourage time restricted feeding of 8 – 10 hours. This allows your digestive system to fully digest and rest for a minimum of 14 – 16 hours. My usual window is 14-15 hours daily so when I am ready to break my fast, I always nourish my body with a nutritious and protein-packed shake. Low in calories and high in nutrients, breaking your fast with a shake that contains numerous vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, antioxidants and protein is always a great way to start the day.
The Importance of Breaking Your Fast with Protein:
Consuming protein as the first meal of the day is crucial, especially after a night of fasting. Protein helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, promotes muscle repair and growth, and keeps you feeling full longer. It provides the building blocks your body needs to function optimally.
This is my Super Protein Elixir recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
- 16oz filtered water
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flax meal
- 1 tablespoon maca powder
- dash of Ceylon cinnamon
- 2 large handfuls of frozen spinach (fresh is fine, too)
- 3-4 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS:
Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!
Depending on the needs of my clients, I often modify this base recipe – adding hemp seeds, chia seeds, collagen peptides, spirulina, ashwaghanda, etc – to optimize them for the day and for their overall wellness, creating an “elixir” customized just for them.