The productivity edit #6 | Mar 1st, '25
My Ramadan night-cap smoothie that keeps me full and productive
Ramadan Mubarak, fam! Let’s start the month on a productive note.
I drink two smoothies a day during Ramadan, each packed with 40–50 grams of protein — one at dawn and one at night.
The process
During Ramadan, I prep both types of smoothies in bulk and freeze them without water or milk. The night before a fast, I blend a frozen smoothie chunk with the liquids and refrigerate it for the next day. (Pro tip: If you’re optimizing for efficiency, a a high-quality blender helps. For a single fresh smoothie, the Nutribullet does the job.) I prefer blending the night before and letting it chill in the fridge for Suhoor smoothies. I also keep ear protection near my blender — regular exposure can degrade ear health. If you don’t have ear protection, covering the blender with a towel helps muffle the noise.
The smoothie
I put this smoothie together with a friend, a holistic health MD, because I was feeling hungry and crashing while fasting. After a week of using the dual smoothie method, I can say — it works.
You guys got on me for suggesting rough quantities the last time around, but precision in cooking isn’t my forte. Feel free to add an -ish to the end of every ingredient quantity below.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter, your preference)
1/2 Avocado
3 Dates
Splash of Rose water
1 tbsp Chia seeds
1/4 cup Milk
Water (as needed to reach desired consistency)
1/2 Banana
Protein Powder (I prefer pea protein because I hate the taste of whey, but do you)
1/2 cup Spinach (I freeze blended spinach with a touch of water and freeze in molds)
1/4 cup Cottage cheese
Rhodiola
Spirulina
1 tbsp Cacao (70%)
A dash of cinnamon
I like to drink my smoothies with a glass boba straw.
Here’s why this smoothie is beneficial for fasting, sleeping well, and mental clarity:
This section was fully pulled from GPT, FYI. So — a guest author, I guess. But GPT is an awesome resource to put together nutritional info, understand % of daily nutrients, and advantages of what you eat.
1. Supports fasting & sustained energy
Dates and banana provide quick-digesting natural sugars to restore glycogen levels after fasting.
Peanut butter, chia seeds, avocado, and cottage cheese contain healthy fats and protein, which slow digestion and keep you full longer throughout the night.
Protein powder, collagen, and cottage cheese support muscle recovery and prevent muscle loss during fasting.
Chia seeds provide fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents post-fast crashes.
2. Promotes deep, restorative sleep
Magnesium-rich foods (spinach, avocado, chia, cacao) help relax muscles and calm the nervous system, promoting deep sleep.
Cottage cheese contains casein protein, which digests slowly overnight, helping with muscle repair and keeping you satiated.
Rhodiola and spirulina help balance stress hormones (cortisol), reducing sleep disturbances.
Cacao contains tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, which improves sleep quality.
3. Enhances mental clarity & focus
Rhodiola is known for its adaptogenic properties, helping reduce stress and improve cognitive function.
Spirulina and cacao provide antioxidants that support brain function and reduce inflammation.
Omega-rich chia seeds and peanut butter help support long-term brain health and memory.
Protein intake (from peanut butter, protein powder, collagen, and cottage cheese) supports neurotransmitter production, which keeps your brain sharp.
It replenishes energy, promotes relaxation for deep sleep, and enhances mental clarity for the next day.
A few things to note
Watch total calorie intake if other meals are heavy. These smoothies are designed to be calorically high, because I do not meet caloric needs in Ramadan.
Be mindful of sugar intake (dates, mango, banana) if you’re tracking insulin response. The AM smoothie has more sugar than PM, but the PM smoothie still has sugar. Take a lap if needed.
Hydration is key in general in Ramadan — but the high fiber and protein intake require sufficient water to avoid bloating and to ensure your body is hydrated to keep up with the fiber.
And in case you missed it, here is my Suhoor smoothie:
