I know I’m always seeking out healthy and easy recipes that I can make to fuel my body prior to a race, and this fig and almond butter shake is a fantastic option. I don’t like to feel overly stuffed before a race or a run in general, and I certainly want whatever I eat settling well and not presenting an issue somewhere in the middle of no-man’s land.
Whether you’re traveling from home or a nearby vacation rental the morning of a race, you’ll need a quick, easy, and easy-on-the-stomach breakfast for your pre-race fuel. This fig and almond butter shake hits all those notes while also being super tasty.
(A quick note:, if you already know that figs, dates, etc… tend to have you running to the bathroom, you might want to consider our Banana Peanut Butter recipe instead.)
THE FIG AND ALMOND BUTTER SHAKE INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup almond milk (vanilla flavored is best)
- 1 banana
- 4 frozen figs
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
THE PREPARATION:
Throw it all in a blender and blend away until it’s smooth. This might take a minute or two to ensure the figs are broken up well and don’t leave you with a chewy shake. Since you’re using frozen figs, there’s no need to add ice unless you want it extra cold. I don’t typically have a craving for brain freeze first thing in the morning, so the frozen figs work fine in my opinion… but you do you.
THE BENEFITS & NUTRITION:
You’ll want to pay attention to the almond butter you purchase, because many sold in grocery stores have added sugars or oils, which add extra calories and fat. However, typically speaking, almond butter is high in calories, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for your health. Just one tablespoon of plain, unsalted almond butter (16 grams) contains:
- Calories: 98
- Protein: 3.4 grams
- (The Good) Fat: 9 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3 grams
- Fiber: 1.6 grams
- Sugar: 0.7 grams
Figs are also extremely healthy and have numerous health benefits (lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, increasing bone density, etc…) but should be eaten in moderation. One serving size is generally one fig. However– if you don’t eat them all that often, incorporating a few into one recipe isn’t going to hurt. You’re really just wanting to be mindful of the natural sugars they contain when using several in one recipe. (Therefore, don’t go adding additional processed sugars into the recipe.)
Figs are a naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free food. They are also an excellent source of:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Magnesium
One medium (2 ¼ inch) fig contains:
- Calories: 37
- Fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 1 milligram
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
I’m a big believer that the food you eat can make or break your efforts in training and out on the course. Being intentional with the food you put into your body is the difference between the way your body operates. Think of a car. If a car takes premium gasoline, but you’re putting in unleaded… it’s going to run sluggish. The same applies to your body. Fuel it well, and it will operate at its highest performance.
Let us know if you try this recipe out or if you have your own twist on this recipe. Enjoy!
Sources: WebMD (almond butter) and WebMD (Figs)
