Adding Matcha to your Workout Routine

A healthy body begins with proper nutrition.

Let’s be honest, if you want to get into shape and stay healthy, then the majority of your fat loss or muscle gain begins in the kitchen. Fusion Teas’ entire vision is to create a world of healthy and happy people and we believe we can do that with tea. This month our focus is matcha and why not? Matcha is a powerhouse of nutrients and its versatility makes it a perfect addition to your pre or post-workout regimen.

While cardio is a healthy exercise and one that can help you lose weight, resistance training (lifting weights) is more effective. It can help you build muscle and muscle burns fat and it tends to do it long after you’ve left the gym. When you lift weights, especially in increasingly heavier amounts, you create what is referred to as microtears. When these microtears heal, the muscle becomes stronger and often times bigger.

Muscles require nutrients to maintain and continue keeping us healthy. Protein is one of the most important macronutrients for repairing and rebuilding muscle; however, healthy carbs can also play an important role by aiding the protein in getting to where it needs to go in the body. Most people will grab a protein shake after their workout to help with their muscle recovery, but research suggests that your daily total intake of protein is what really matters.

There are many different ways to up your daily intake of protein, but in my experience sticking to just eggs, chicken, and protein shakes, can get a bit boring. I like to find new and delicious ways of adding a balance of healthy carbs, fats, protein, and nutrients into my diet.

Below you will find some matcha-infused recipes I have used to add great carbs, healthy fats, and high proteins into my diet.

Vanilla Matcha Protein Shake

Ingredients
1 tbsp Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder
1 to 2 scoops vanilla protein powder of choice

Directions
Add ingredients to your favorite protein shaker and shake vigorously.
Best to consume just before or after a workout. If consumed prior to a workout, the naturally occurring caffeine can give you a boost of energy for the workout itself.

Everyday Matcha Coconut Protein Balls

Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 of a large banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder of choice
1 tbsp Everyday Matcha Green Tea Powder
2 tbsp coconut oil
2-3 tbsp pure maple syrup

Directions
Throw everything into a food processor and pulse until everything is well combined. Roll a small amount between the palms of your hands adding until you have a ping pong ball-sized ball. Place on a plate and stick it in the fridge covered for roughly two hours before eating. These bad boys are good for about a week in the fridge.

Chocolate Matcha Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups oat flour
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder of choice
2 tbsp Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup milk of choice
1 tsp vanilla extract

~Topping
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp peanut butter
Flaky sea salt, for topping

Directions
Combined the flour, protein powder, Vanilla Matcha, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Next, add the maple syrup, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla extract to the flour mix. Stir until you have a nice little ball of dough.

Now, line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and dump the ingredients in, pressing it all down with wet hands.

Next we have to make the topping. Place the chocolate chips, coconut oil, and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute stopping to stir in 20 sec intervals. Pour the entire chocolate mixture over the bars and rotate pan to cover entirely. Freeze for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars. Enjoy!