If you’re on the hunt for a tasty and healthy treat, then you’ve come to the right place. These delicious health drinks are loaded with natural ingredients and an extra boost of phytonutrients from a signature Foundation Phytonutrients blend. Phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables are crucial for your overall health and may even support your fitness goals.
Learn more about phytonutrients and how to incorporate them into your diet with the two delicious recipes below.
What Are Phytonutrients?
Phytonutrients are healthy compounds found in vegetables, fruits, beans, and grains. There are as many as 4,000 different phytonutrients, and each one is believed to have different potential health benefits. You may even know a few of the most common phytonutrients, such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols.1
Common Sources Of Phytonutrients
Plants and vegetables are the most common source of phytonutrients. Plants use phytonutrients to strengthen their own immune systems. So, when you consume these nutrients, they in turn may offer potential health benefits to you.2
In addition to phytonutrients, fruits and vegetables are loaded with other good stuff, like calcium, fiber, and iron.3 This is why the American Heart Association recommends that you get 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.4
Potential Health Benefits Associated With Phytonutrients
It’s tough to list out all the potential benefits connected to phytonutrients. In many cases, nutritionists and scientists are just beginning to understand how valuable these compounds are to human health. Some of the most common known perks associated with phytonutrients include supporting:
- Heart health*
- Cell health*
- Skin health*
- Immune function*5
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Get Your Daily Dose Of Phytonutrients
In order to get your daily recommended dose of phytonutrients, you should eat a varied diet of fruits and vegetables. Different phytonutrients tend to have different colors. So, if your plate has lots of different colors on it, you’ll likely receive a wider range of nutrients.6
That’s where a delicious, healthy elixir or smoothie may help. Like the drinks below, you can incorporate lots of different fruits and veggies into one meal. This will give you a big dose of nutrients in one drink. It’s not a replacement for wholesome meals. But, it may help you supplement your diet of phytonutrients.
Note: Speak to a physician before beginning any new supplement plan.
How Phytonutrients May Benefit Your Fitness
A healthy diet and regular exercise are key for your overall health. The AHA recommends you exercise at least 150 minutes a week and eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. These two activities combined can help support a healthy weight, your mood, and your overall health.7,8
For Tony Horton, these two paths toward a healthy life are intertwined. A diet of natural foods supports good health, but it also supports fitness. Eating and drinking the right foods provides your body with the proper fuel it needs to power the body’s internal mechanisms used during exercise. Phytonutrients, in particular, may assist with your workout goals.
Metabolic Support
Your metabolism is the physiological system that turns food into fuel. This energy is what powers your workout as well as all your daily activities. It’s important to keep this system running properly.9
One of the best ways to do that is by providing quality fuel in the form of healthy foods rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. Even phytonutrients as a supplement may help support a healthy metabolism.*10
Cellular Support
Phytonutrients have been found to help promote healthy cells, which is important for your overall health and fitness. In terms of exercise, antioxidants may support health recovery after excersice.*11
Cardiovascular Support
Many phytonutrients, like flavonoids and resveratrol, are believed to help support heart health. In particular red, purple, and white fruits and veggies may help support the circulatory system.*12
Your heart and cardiovascular system are crucial for exercise. As you work out, your heart rate increases to transport oxygen via the cardiovascular system to your muscles. This is how your muscles receive the nutrients required to keep you moving. So, keeping this system healthy through diet can be beneficial to your workouts.13
*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Try These Tasty Recipes For A Phytonutrient Boost
Whole foods with a wide-variety of color will typically be the best source of phytonutrients. This is why Tony Horton always includes whole fruits and vegetables in his prepared phytonutrient recipes. Below, you can find a few of his go-to phytonutrient beverages. You can enjoy these tasty snacks as part of a meal or before a workout as a snack.
Black And Blue Phyto-Elixir
This antioxidant-packed drink will load you up with nutrients and flavor. The blueberries and pomegranate offer a double whammy of antioxidants on top of the Foundation Phytonutrients powder. Plus, the tea will give you a little boost, which makes this the perfect pre-workout snack.
Ingredients
- 1 serving Foundation Phytonutrients
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- 1 cup ice
- ½ cup strong brewed black tea
- 1 cup of sparkling water
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients except the sparkling water into a blender. Blend until smooth.
- To serve, pour over ice and top off with the sparkling water.
Orange Bee Sting Phyto-Shake
This is your one-stop shop for nutrients. The yogurt and banana coupled with High Impact Plant Protein make this shake a healthy meal on its own. You can enjoy this beverage first thing in the morning to start your day off with a large dose of crucial phytonutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 serving of Foundation Phytonutrients
- 1 serving of High Impact Plant Protein, vanilla
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1” piece of orange skin (without rind)
- ½ cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 Tbsp Manuka honey
- ½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt or almond yogurt
- ½ inch piece of peeled ginger
- 1 whole banana, green
- 1 cup of ice
Instructions
- Peel the banana and the ginger. Remove the rind of the orange peel with a small butter knife. Be careful with any sharp blades.
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Puree for 30-60 seconds, or until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Serve and enjoy.
Give Yourself A Phytonutrient Boost
The phytonutrient-rich drinks above are loaded with natural ingredients to help support healthy bodily functions. They contain real fruits and veggies — plus the added bonus of phytonutrient supplementation. This may be an excellent way for you to integrate those much-needed nutrients into your diet. The elixir and shake are both easy-to-make and great for any time of day. Make one (or both) for your next workout, and see what kind of difference it may make.
Learn More:
-Inositol Benefits: What Is It And What Might It Do For Your Health?
-Must-Try Protein Cookies Recipe
-The Perfect Treat: Healthy Protein Ice Cream Recipe
Sources
1 https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/what-are-phytochemicals/
2 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/phytonutrients-paint-your-plate-with-the-colors-of-the-rainbow-2019042516501
3 https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/key-nutrients-that-protect/
4 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/fruits-and-vegetables-serving-sizes
5 https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/what-are-phytonutrients-antioxidant-health-benefits
6 https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/pdf/phytonutrients.pdf
7 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations
8 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
9 https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/5695/the-role-of-metabolism-in-reaching-your-goals-and-improving-your-fitness/
10 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18542009/
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6486214/
12 https://www.verywellfit.com/phytonutrients-phytochemicals-2242002
13 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9n6sg8/revision/4
