Lychee, Coconut & Green-Tea Smoothie

Lychee, Coconut & Green-Tea Smoothie

Makes 1 serving

Green tea has been shown to ramp up fat burning by increasing energy expenditure when taken before or during workouts.

Ingredients

9 fresh or canned lychees

1 scoop plain or vanilla whey protein powder

¼ cup light coconut milk

¼ cup heavily steeped green tea, chilled

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

natural sweetener of choice (optional)

½ cup ice

Directions

1. Steep 1 bag of green tea in ¼ cup of hot water until dark.

2. Remove bag from water and allow tea to cool in the fridge or freezer.

3. Peel and de-seed the lychees, or if using canned, rinse and drain the lychees.

4. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy.

Nutrition facts (per serving): calories 231, total fat 6 g, saturated fat 4 g, trans fat 0 g, protein 26 g, sodium 55 mg, carbs 22 g, fiber 2 g, sugar 18 g

No whey! Think you’re getting too much protein? Unlikely. A study recently published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that consuming a diet containing five and half times the Recommended Daily Allowance of protein has no effect on bodyweight, fat mass or body fat percentage. That means eating a lot of protein won’t make you fat but lack of exercise and a poor diet will.

Sweet lychee: This prickly tropical fruit is packed with sweetness and loaded with nutrients. Blending up a shake with lychee is a great way to get your fill of vitamins B and C and potassium.

Cuckoo for coconuts: Coconut milk gives a creamy flavor to smoothies and provides plenty of hydrating potassium as well as medium-chain fatty acids that can help boost metabolism and increase feelings of satiety. It’s also lactose-free.

Go green: Green tea contains more heath-boosting, fat-fighting catechins than any other tea around, making it a nutritional superstar for smoothies.