Whats In This Low Carb Smoothie
- Avocado peeled and pitted. I like using Hass avocados as theyre more flavorful. Avocados are such a great addition as they are high in healthy fats, fibre, full of vitamins and nutrients.
- Spinach be sure to wash the smoothies beforehand, even if theyre advertised as pre-washed. Spinach is full of antioxidants as well as vitamins and nutrients as well.
- Unsweetened coconut milk
- Sugar-free vanilla protein powder check out the recipe card down below for a link to my favourite one.
- Peanut butter powder I really love and highly recommend PB2.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice I dont recommend using bottled lemon juice as there are preservatives.
Chocolate Protein Shake Ingredients
Filled with a healthy dose of antioxidants, packed with protein and so delicious, this chocolate protein smoothie is seriously the best. And the recipe is really quite versatile feel free to add or swap in your favorite ingredients. Heres what youll need to make it:
- Milk. I use unsweetened almond or cashew milk in my protein shakes, but feel free to use any milk that you like.
- Chocolate protein powder. Use any favorite brand. I really like the flavor and consistency of Tone It Up organic, vegan-friendly protein powder. I always order it on the Tone It Up website because they frequently offer discounts. This brand can also be found at many grocery stores and Target.
- Frozen banana. Youll need one ripe frozen banana for this shake recipe. I love using bananas in my shakes and smoothies because they are a natural sweetener and they will make your shake super creamy and thick.
- Frozen berries or cherries. Use any combination of berries or cherries or really any frozen fruit that you have in your freezer. When I use chocolate protein powder for my shake, my fruit of choice is usually strawberries for a chocolate covered strawberry flavor. Hello dream smoothie!
- Optional. Try adding even more nutrients with a handful of fresh spinach! The color of your smoothie will be a little funky, but you wont be able to taste it at all. You can also add other ingredients you like ground flaxseed, dates, avocado, peanut butter the options are endless!
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- My son is obsessed with this Mango Orange Smoothie recipe
- Try this tropical Pina Colada Spinach Smoothie to head to the beach asap
- Want to boost your metabolism? Then this is a great fat burning green smoothie recipe
- This kale smoothie will surprise even your taste buds
If you have any questions about the green smoothie world, feel free to join the Smoothie Challenge Support Group.
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Best Whey Protein Shakes
Before switching from dairy to non-dairy, I used Teras Whey protein powder. The vanilla is delicious and the unflavored is undetectable. In addition, it has very clean ingredients and scored an A+ rating in Clean Label Project studies. Its important to avoid whey protein if youre vegan or have a dairy intolerance. Just so you know, the links below are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them .
How To Make This Green Smoothie
This is also a great recipe that you can prepare ahead and keep in the freezer until you are ready to make.
This will make about 2-3 servings.
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The 17 Best Leafy Greens For Green Smoothies
Your mom was right when she told you to eat your veggies. Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. Theyre among the healthiest foods you could eat and may help protect you from developing serious illnesses.
An easy way to incorporate more greens into your diet is by making green smoothies.
In this article, Im going to show you the best leafy greens for smoothies. But before we jump to my list of the best green vegetables, a few words on green smoothies first.
Best Protein Powders For Green Smoothies
This depends on a few things: your taste preferences, the types of protein your body tolerates well, and the amount of protein youre looking to consume. Heres a quick rundown of our favorite protein powders by type:
For more on each type of protein and what it has to offer, find our guide to picking the healthiest protein powder for YOU right HERE.
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Designer Protein Essential 10 100% Plant
This product gets its name because of the ingredients it contains: soy-free plant protein, prebiotic vegetable fiber, unsaturated vegetable-based fats, and vegetable-based carbs. Each serving contains 22grams of non-GMO protein. Plus the vegetables and fruits in it provide antioxidant benefits to promote your immune health. It comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Protein Shakes For Weight Loss
Protein shakes work well in supporting weight loss or weight gain, depending on how you use them and what ingredients you use.
If the goal is weight loss or leaning out, limit the additional high-calorie ingredients such as peanut butter .
My go-to weight loss protein shake recipe is plant milk, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1/2 frozen banana, 2 handfuls of baby spinach. I drink this after a workout. Dont miss our Weight Loss Smoothie Recipe.
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What To Look For On Protein Powder Labels
When youve settled on the best protein for your nutrition and muscle-building needs, there are still countless brands competing for your business. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you scan the labels:
- If your protein is marketed as a specific type of protein , make sure thats the first ingredient in the ingredient list.
- Scan for artificial sweeteners. To keep the carb count low, companies sometimes use these instead of real sugar.
- Make sure the ingredient list is short. Youre buying a protein powder for the protein, after allnot the additives.
- Pick a neutral flavor to get the most bang for your buck. The most versatile protein powders are the unflavored and vanilla-flavored options.
Go here to join Prevention Premium , subscribe to the magazine, or get digital-only access.
Best Casein Protein Powder
Casein is digested and absorbed slowly, which can help you feel satiated for longer. As such, it may help reduce your appetite. The slower digestion and absorption rate may also help support muscle growth and recovery over longer periods (
7 ).
Its also produced in a facility thats certified by NSF International. According to the companys website, BulkSupplement products also undergo third-party testing, but the name of the third-party lab isnt disclosed.
The powder is particularly a good choice for adding to smoothies or batters because it doesnt clump.
However, its not ideal if you prefer a flavored or sweetened protein powder.
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Chocolate Cherry Awesomeness Shake
Research suggests that cherries can ease soreness after a workout, making this a perfect recovery shake, says St. Pierre. BLEND THIS:12 oz water, milk, or yogurt2 scoops chocolate flavored protein powder2 cups of sweet dark cherries, pits removed1 cups of spinach1 tbsp ground flax1 tbsp cacao nibs or dark cocoa powder530 calories, 56 g protein, 13 g fat, 47 g carbs, 9 g fiber
What Should You Add In Your Perfect Post
Within the five ingredients, you have a little free rein. Dont worry, because well help you get only be best ingredients for the post-workout green smoothie.
Kale or spinach is the best leafy greens. When you stock up on leafy greens, look out for spinach and kale. Both are powerhouses when it comes to nutrients. Theyre known as superfoods for a reason!
Youll get iron, calcium, and much more in just one serving. There are debates over which green is better for you, but honestly, either one will work out. Spinach tends to have a less bitter taste to kale, so it often favored the most, but kale tends to have more iron and calcium.
Kale is also packed with a little more protein than spinach. Youll remain fuller for longer without consuming a lot of calories. If you want to get rid of some of the bitterness, get rid of the stems. However, youll find you dont get as many nutrients as you could have done.
You can get some benefits from collards, spring greens, and other dark leafy greens but kale and spinach are the best for the base of your smoothies.
Milk and Greek yogurt are good protein sources. Remember that its all about the protein. Thats why you want to choose a liquid that is going to help support your protein and energy needs. Milk and Greek yogurt are by far the best liquids for your protein sources. They are full proteins, meaning they have all the amino acids that you need within one serving.
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Best Protein Shake And Smoothie Recipes
Get lean and strong with the ultimate list of protein shakes and protein smoothie recipes. These protein shake recipes take your protein powder to the next level with the addition of healthy, delicious ingredients to help you reach your fitness goals!
High-Protein Foods | Low-Calorie Foods | Low-Carb Foods | Healthy Snacks | Protein Shake Recipes | Protein Pancake Recipes
Dive into these homemade protein shake recipes that taste like dessert but fuel your muscles and your recovery. With flavors covering everything from luxurious chocolate to tangy orange cream to tropical coconut, these protein drinks help you feel good, work hard, and hit your fitness goals.
Learn how to make a protein shake the most decadent part of your day! With nutritious boosters that add antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, these healthy shakes are great for breakfast, snacks, and pre- or post-workout.
Is Vegetable Protein Powder Better Than Whey
This has a complicated answer. And it comes down to what you mean when you ask the question.
Is vegetable protein better tasting in a smoothie?
Is vegetable protein easier to blend in a smoothie?
Is vegetable protein better than whey as far as muscle building?
See, all different questions.
First, lets say that vegan protein doesnt blend as easy as whey protein. But thats not a big issue when you are using a blender. The bigger problem when it comes to mixing protein powder is when you are only blending it using a blender bottle shaker.
As long as youre blending your protein powder in a smoothie blender like a Ninja or NutriBullet, then its not an issue.
How about taste?
Well, thats a personal preference. I think that some of the vegan protein powders taste great. And thats one of the reasons I drink them. They are thicker than whey protein, but thats more of an issue if you are only mixing them with water in a shaker bottle.
As long as youre making a smoothie it wont come up.
Now, as far as building muscle. Thats a hotly contested argument. Some people are strong advocates for whey because its faster absorbing. However, all you have to do is search for vegan athletes and you will see how many millions of people are building strong, lean bodies using vegan protein.
Protien, remember, is simply amino acids that help build muscle. Vegan protein powders are complete and contain as many amino acids as regular protein powders.
Great for Lactose Intolerant
Cheaper
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Bonus Recommendation: Download The Food Monster App
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Are Green Smoothie Recipes Healthy
What we eat can truly transform our bodies and our lives in powerful ways. Especially with this smoothie recipe as Ive seen in the lives of so many of my friends, family and community online. Blending spinach into a fruit smoothie is a great way to boost your immune system, as well as naturally energize you.
Most smoothies are made with just fruit and liquid, which is high in sugar and can cause inflammation. A green smoothie, on the other hand, is made with fruit, plant-based liquidand leafy greens.
This recipe is full of iron, potassium and vitamins galore and tastes like a tropical treat from all the island fruit. Yet the best part is how simple as well as quick it is to make! You only need 4 ingredients and all of them can be found at your local grocery store . As I say all the time Im all for making healthy eating affordable so its sustainable.
A green smoothie can taste just as good as a regular smoothie, and also have incredible health benefits.
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Are Protein Smoothies Good For Weight Loss
Protein is absolutely necessary, whether you are trying to lose weight or not. But when you are being conscious of your eating habits, it becomes even more important.
Getting enough protein will increase your metabolism and reduce your appetite. As a result, it encourages your body to burn excess fat.
Smoothies are an easy way to add more protein to your daily diet. An extra spoonful of protein powder in this green smoothie recipe bumps up the nutrition and will leave you feeling full for a long time. If you want to change things up and enjoy smoothies throughout the week, you should also try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie and Mango Green Smoothie.
How Do I Make My Smoothie Thicker How Do I Make It Thinner
The best way to make a smoothie thicker is to add more frozen fruit, or even add in some ice before blending it to add in that extra thickness. If you want to make it thinner, you can either add in less frozen fruit or add in more of your almond milk or low fat milk to add in that extra liquid to make it thinner.
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Create Your Own Protein For Smoothies
You can take any of my smoothie recipes and add one serving of protein powder to it. Or you can follow the below formula to make your own incredibly delicious, protein boosted smoothie that tastes delicious:
Now, time for you to spill all your protein secrets with me! Please share in the comments your fav protein to add to smoothies, or what youre looking for in a vegan protein powder.
Pumpkin Seeds And Oats
If youre out of greens, thats okay because pumpkin seeds are one of the most alkaline seeds you can eat . Pumpkin seeds contain 5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup, which is more than any grain or green per serving . Though theyre high in fat, pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats that protect your heart and your brain. Oats pair well with pumpkin seeds flavor-wise, and both are rich in magnesium and potassium, along with iron and zinc. Use 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds and 1/2 cup oats to obtain 13 grams total protein.
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Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Every protein from this company is vegan so take your pic of natural flavor, real coffee, smooth vanilla, rich chocolate, or wild strawberry. The products are made using pea protein and also dont contain any gluten, dairy, soy, or GMOs. If you like the clean flavors, the company also makes functional flavors that include other ingredients such as MCT oil, matcha and turmeric for other functional benefits.
A Scoop Of Vanilla Whey Isolate Protein
A scoop of vanilla whey isolate protein
Gordan Gledec, Gordan Gledec
Casein
For those who arent lactose-intolerant , this protein derived from the semisolid portion of milk is a great choice. It is digested more slowly than other proteins, which means it will help you feel fuller longer. People who are trying to increase muscle may drink it before bed to stimulate muscle building, says Pritchett.
Whey
Its no wonder that whey is the most commonly used protein source . This powder, derived from the liquid portion of milk, is high in essential amino acids and its the fastest-acting of all the protein supplements, making it the ideal choice for replenishing muscles immediately after exercise. Its also high in leucine, an amino acid thats involved in building muscle, says Pritchett.Sally Wadyka is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist who writes about nutrition, health and wellness.
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