The Generation UCAN line of energy powders have been a staple in my household for over 9 years now. Not only has this product served as a reliable energy source around my training and racing, but I’ve incorporated it into my list of daily snacks that I can count on to keep me satiated and sustained.
The Lemon UCAN is a personal favorite, as I’m a big fan of tart flavors and beverages that don’t make my brain wanting more and more. Hyperpalatability can lead to dangerous territory, friends. And if you’re struggling with the Snack Monster because you’re at home one zillion more hours than you are used to (due to COVID-19 and Shelter at Home orders), then the UCAN products can be a solution for you.
By the way, if you aren’t familiar with the UCAN Company and the science/origin behind their products, there’s great information here. [I also want to state out loud that unlike many other health professionals, I do not have any financial ties to this company (or any other food company). My personal code of ethics includes remaining independent so that any recommendations are made from an educational and functional perspective, not from a financially biased one.]
Anywho, I wanted to share this easy, quick, and delicious smoothie recipe using the UCAN Lemon superstarch. If you’re not a huge fan of lemon, but you like a hint of it, then this blend is for you. While I love tart, sometimes I do want to take the pucker factor down just one notch.
Lemon Coconut Strawberry Smoothie Ingredients:
8 oz (240 ml) of unsweetened coconut milk (I used the carton variety, but you can use a few tablespoons of canned coconut milk and then dilute it)
20 grams of Lemon UCAN energy powder (adjust the amount depending on your personal needs)
~30 grams of vanilla protein powder (I used Tera’s Whey)
2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut (I used Edward & Sons)
4 frozen strawberries (or about 1/3 cup or ~64 grams by weight)
3 ice cubes / 6 oz (180 ml) water to blend to desired volume and consistency
Basic nutrition breakdown:
~400 calories
35 grams carbohydrate
3.5 grams fiber
33 grams protein
14 grams fat
1:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein
The strawberries take the edge off the lemon tartness, yet they don’t fully mask the lemony goodness. The coconut provides creaminess and thickness (and the fat helps with satiety). The whey protein is an excellent source of needed amino acids, aside from being extra helpful with balancing blood sugar.
How am I using this blend? Well, today is a busy work day for me and I have a morning run and strength workout to squeeze in too. I’ll be drinking half of the smoothie about 30 minutes before the run and the rest mid-afternoon between telecon meetings. (Don’t worry, I will mute so you can’t hear my slurps and shouts of “YUMMY!”).
Although UCAN is known as a sports nutrition product, you don’t need to be a high-performing athlete to benefit from this product. In fact, UCAN is actually classified as a food product (due to its origin and function which you can read about on their website). So, you just need to be a human being in order to take advantage of this trustworthy energy source.
Let me know if you try it (follow me and tag me on Insta)… and if you are new to UCAN and want to learn more, drop me an email and we’ll get ya sorted out.
Thanks for reading,
Dina