Anyone who watches pro basketball knows a little creativity goes a long way. Because as soon as you become predictable, you’re no longer effective. Always keep your opponent guessing.

That idea carries over to your health and wellness. The same workout routine will eventually become too easy, and you’ll be less likely to see further gain. Likewise, the same diet can hurt the diversity of gut flora and impact gut health. So always keep your body guessing.

NBA basketball legend Dwyane Wade and his son, rising basketball star Zaire Wade, understand the importance of mixing things up to get the job done. So, to inspire you, they’re sharing their favorite recipes.

Starting the day strong

Although a healthy diet is important for everyone, and especially essential for professional athletes, Dwyane has never been one for eating vegetables. (Needless to say, that’s always been a challenge for his longtime chef.)

But today, Dwyane has the solution. He fills in the gaps with foundational daily nutritional support from Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus, a comprehensive greens powder packed with 28 powerhouse ingredients that support a healthy mind and body and promote healthy aging.*

Many other greens products on the market sacrifice taste for health benefits, but that's where Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus is different.

“Yeah, vegetables just aren’t my thing,” Dwyane says with a laugh. “So, Daily Greens Plus is refreshing because I’m able to get the nutritional support I need without the terrible taste.”

And Daily Greens is even better in his morning smoothie. See for yourself.

Dwyane Wade’s Morning Smoothie 

1 serving yields 20 ounces // Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup fresh mango
  • ½ cup ripe banana
  • ¼ cup fresh pineapple
  • 1 cup of almond milk (or your milk of choice)
  • 1 scoop Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus
  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 handful of kale

Directions

  1. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid as needed.
  2. Enjoy

There’s even more to love about this smoothie than Daily Greens Plus. Pineapple naturally contains the enzyme bromelain, which promotes healthy protein digestion, supports the healing of minor bruises, and helps reduce swelling. Studies have also found that pineapple can improve muscle function and increase the body’s pain threshold after “damaging exercise.”1

Pineapple can be expensive out of season, so consider substituting canned pineapple. Although most canned fruits contain sugary syrup, if you can find one mixed in 100-percent fruit juice, it won’t have added sugar.

Similar to pineapple, bananas are a favorite for athletes seeking support for recovery and soreness. That’s because bananas contain electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium you lose when you sweat. With 29 grams of carbohydrates in a single banana, this fruit is a great fueling option no matter your activity.2

And a lot could be said about the health benefits of kale. It’s a great source of plant-based calcium, without the oxalates found in other green leafy veggies like spinach and chard. It’s also a good source of vitamin K and folate – not to mention fiber.

It’s all about recovery

With three daily workouts most days, Zaire needs all the nutritional support he can get so he can bounce back quickly for the next game or practice.

“It’s simple, whatever you put into your body is what you’ll get out of it,” Zaire says. “And I need that extra boost to keep going.”

That’s where Thorne’s Amino Complex comes in. Amino Complex is a comprehensive formula that supports muscle repair and recovery by providing amino acids.* Backed by two decades of scientific and clinical research, the ingredients in the Amino Complex formula have been validated through clinical trials for promoting lean muscle mass and muscle strength.*

Zaire also likes to mix in Thorne’s Creatine, which promotes physical endurance and supports cognitive function.* But creatine isn’t just for athletes. A growing body of research indicates creatine supplementation supports brain function, making this nutrient a great option for anyone who wants to support their everyday health, especially those who store less creatine, such as women or the aging population.

Zaire Wade’s Post-Workout Tart Cherry Juice

1 serving yields 20 ounces // Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Enjoy

Why cherry juice? Besides mixing well with Amino Complex’s delicious berry flavor, a body of research indicates that tart cherry juice can benefit athletic recovery and reduce the common symptoms associated with delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).1

Tart cherry juice is rich in anthocyanins that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for muscles and cell structures, supporting the heart and all its cells. Tart cherry juice also naturally contains melatonin to support restful sleep and help balance circadian rhythms.

Like cherries, blueberries are also rich in polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids. These plant pigments protect the body against free radicals, which, in excess, can lead to accelerated aging, inflammation, and various health conditions.

A few small studies on blueberries have found they might benefit athletic performance.1,3,4

The takeaway

Good nutrition is all about satisfying your body’s unique nutrient needs throughout the day and refreshing your diet. Whether you’re trying to find a tasty alternative or trying to keep up with your body’s demands, consider fueling with Thorne.

Thorne is thrilled to be partnering with Dwyane and Zaire and excited to bring you more health and wellness content.

Check out Dwyane’s and Zaire's personal collections and shop the Build to Last Collection. For more on the Wades, stay tuned at Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog and follow us on Instagram @thornehealth.

References

  1. Harty PS, Cottet ML, Malloy JK, Kerksick CM. Nutritional and supplementation strategies to prevent and attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage: a brief review. Sports Med Open 2019;5(1):1. doi:10.1186/s40798-018-0176-6
  2. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102653/nutrients [Accessed July 31, 2023
  3. Pilolla KD, Armendariz J, Burrus BM, et al. Effects of wild blueberries on fat oxidation rates in aerobically trained males. Nutrients 2023; 15(6):1339. doi: 10.3390/nu15061339
  4. McLeay Y, Barnes MJ, Mundel T, et al. Effect of New Zealand blueberry consumption on recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012;9(1). doi:10.1186/1550-2783-9-19