Cook’s Tips And Recipe Variations:
- If youre preparing this healthy smoothie for kids, you can omit the protein powder and substitute with Greek yogurt. Since the protein powder adds not only thickness, but also flavor to the smoothie, youll want to use a sweetened vanilla Greek yogurt or use a plain Greek yogurt and add your own sweetener, to taste. You will also need an additional 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for that chocolate taste. The taste and texture of the smoothie recipe with yogurt will not be quite the same as the protein powder version, but your family will still love it!
- Keep the healthy smoothie recipe low sugar by using unsweetened vanilla almond milk and a sugar free protein powder.
- I prefer whey protein for flavor and thickness in this smoothie, but if you prefer a plant-based breakfast, you can substitute with a vegan protein powder.
Cashew Butter & Raspberry Smoothie
Another way to include protein in your smoothie may be unexpected: cottage cheese. This creamy dairy product is typically consumed by the spoonful, but it’s also a welcome addition to this creamy pink drink that features frozen raspberries.
Another source of protein in this smoothie is cashew butter, which Dr. Rosendahl says is a great addition to smoothies to lose abdominal fat:
“Nut butter is my go-to for incorporating protein and healthy fat into my smoothies,” says Dr. Rosendahl. “The protein and omega-3 fatty acids found in nut butters help you to feel satiated longer and promote balanced blood sugar until lunch time, both of which are important to successful and sustainable weight loss. I prefer almond butter, but cashew or walnut butter are other great choices.”
Get our recipe for Cashew Butter & Raspberry Smoothies.
Are Protein Shakes Healthy
Like most products, there are better and worse options when it comes to protein powders. Consuming plenty of protein is very easy for most people eating a balanced diet, including a plant-based diet. In fact, most Americans eat nearly double the amount of protein they need.
Protein powders are highly processed and often contain high concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides, and BPA. I would not recommend using them on a daily basis, however, they can be a great option for post-workout recovery or a busy day meal-on-the-go.
Recommended Reading: Nutritionworks 10 Day Green Smoothie
A Delicious Treat For A Job Well Done
Are these high-protein smoothies starting to make your mouth water? Run out to the grocery store and stock up on the ingredients. Next, invest in a high-quality blender and keep it prominently placed on your kitchen counter. Itll help you make your post-workout smoothie when you come home quickly and easily. The last step? You wont build muscle without putting in the hard work. Make sure you develop a well-balanced strength-training plan and then stick with it. When that last rep feels extra tough, just remember that youve got a delicious muscle gain shake calling your name at home. Find anES Fitness near you.
How To Make This Recipe With Vanilla Protein Powder
If you want to use vanilla protein powder instead of plain protein powder in this recipe, you definitely can. I recommend using a high-quality vanilla protein powder that is naturally flavored and sweetened, like this one from Thrive Market.
To make your shake, simply make the recipe as written below , but omit the sweetener and dont add any vanilla extract. If your protein shake is not sweet enough after youve blended it, then feel free to sweeten it to taste with a natural sweetener.
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Best Protein Powders For High Protein Fruit Smoothies
The options for protein powder are plenty. Look for brands that are minimally processed and without added sugars or artificial sweeteners. I like the Naked Nutrition brand because the ingredients are minimal, and because you have options for pea, whey, and egg protein, among others. Lets look a little more closely at the options:
That all being said, you can certainly get naturally-occurring protein from chia seeds, flaxseeds, nut butter, spinach, and egg white, too!
How To Make A Healthy Homemade Protein Shake
February 29, 2020 By AliaThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Learn how to make a healthy homemade protein shake with this quick and simple tutorial. Includes tips, ideas, and a customizable recipe for a DIY protein shake made with clean and nutritious ingredients.
Its a great idea to incorporate protein shakes into your diet, because they are so simple to make and are chock-full of nutritious ingredients. They make a nourishing breakfast that will kick-start your day and will keep you feeling full all morning. Protein shakes also make an ideal post-workout snack that will refuel your energy and help your muscles to heal after exercising.
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Berry Spinach Protein Smoothie
Creamy and delicious, this Berry Spinach Protein Smoothie is packed with protein and fiber to give you lasting energy.
Mornings are a busy time we have children to feed, jobs to get ready for, social media to check If I had to pick one healthy breakfast recipe to suggest for busy people, without a lot of time in the morning, it would hands down be my Berry Spinach Protein Smoothie. Dont get me wrong, as the known smoothie queen around here, I love all smoothies, but this Berry Spinach Smoothie is the one Im currently obsessed with, and not only me, but my children are, too.
Sfh Pure Whey Vanilla Protein Powder 425 Stars
24g protein // 1g sugar// 130 calories// $1.66 per serving// gluten-free// non-GMO// no artificial flavors // grass-fed // all-natural
Never heard of SFH? We hadnt either until one of our favorite gyms in Minneapolis, Alchemy, started selling it. SFH IS SO GOOD. Like, handsdown our #1 pick for whey protein powder. SFH has 24g of protein and only 1g of sugar. In both the smoothie and baking test, we found that SFH didnt have a super overpowering flavor and the vanilla tasted very natural. This product is made with 100% grass-fed cows and is a super clean product full of BCAAs and Omega 3s.
Read Also: How To Meal Prep Smoothies
How To Make The Best Chocolate Protein Shake
This recipe couldnt be easier! Simply add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Smoothies tend to blend the best if you add the liquid and protein powder first, then the spinach , and last the frozen fruit and other mix-ins.
Once the shake is blended and in your glass, feel free to add some fun toppings, like chia seeds, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or even a few mini chocolate chips.
Chocolate Peanut Butter And Banana Shake
Youd never guess that a cup of spinach is hiding in this delicious chocolate and peanut butter shake.
12 oz water, milk, or yogurt2 scoops chocolate flavored protein powder1 banana2 tbsp of natural peanut butter1 tbsp cacao nibs or dark cocoa powder585 calories, 59 g protein, 22 g fat, 38 g carbs, 8 g fiber
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My Favorite Hack For Making Protein Shakes
If drinking a protein shake is a part of your regular routine, you have to try SmoothieBox. SmoothieBox is a protein shake kit delivery service that uses only the best, organic produce with no added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Each box comes with between 20 to 25 pre-portioned smoothie pouches that contain a blend of flash-frozen fruits, vegetables, and seeds. You also have a choice of either grass-fed collagen, vanilla whey, chocolate whey, vanilla vegan, or chocolate vegan protein powder to add to your box. SmoothieBoxs shake mixes are available in four flavors Green, Berry, Clementine and Cacao.
To make a protein shake, simply pour the contents of a smoothie pouch into your blender. Then add a scoop of protein powder, any liquid you like, and blend until smooth. Depending on how much blending liquid you use, each smoothie pouch will yield one 16-20 ounce smoothie, or two 8-12 ounce smoothies.
The price ranges between $5.56 to $7.44 per smoothie and shipping is always free. You can choose to have a one-time order or a monthly subscription. If you choose to have a subscription, it can be paused, delayed or cancelled at any time. SmoothieBox also offers a 100% money-back guarantee if youre not satisfied. Additionally, my readers get a discount on their order using the link and code below:
Expert Breakfast Smoothie Tips
- Use frozen banana or frozen mango, or both for this smoothie. Having at least one type of frozen fruit will help the smoothie blend up into a thick and creamy smoothie. If you use all fresh fruit, the smoothie will have a thin texture.
- If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, use a riper banana. If you prefer a less sweet smoothie, use a less ripe banana.
- Always add liquids to your blender first, followed by seeds, then greens, then the fruit on top. This will allow the blender to blend more easily.
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Chocolate Strawberry Almond Protein Smoothie
Protein source: Almonds, maca powder, hemp, protein powder
This chocolaty smoothie is nutrient-packed. Chocolate sweetens things up while almonds bring the protein and fiber and strawberries pack in antioxidants.
Protein source: Protein powder, cashews
Super spice turmeric sets this recovery smoothie apart. The spice is anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants.
Apple And Great Grains Shake
This shake tastes like apple pie in a glass, but you won’t find 58 grams of protein in a slice of Grandmas famous dessert. Most blenders will be able to handle pulverizing an apple, St. Pierre says. Leave the apple skin on for extra phytonutrients.
12 oz water, milk, or yogurt2 scoops vanilla flavored protein1 apple, core removed, and sliced into wedges1 cup of spinach¼ cup of uncooked oatsIce as neededCinnamon, to taste535 calories, 58 g protein, 13 g fat, 46 g carbs, 9 g fiber
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Can I Make High Protein Fruit Smoothies Ahead
Smoothies can be made ahead and put in the freezer. In fact, Ive got 7 Easy Make Ahead Smoothies that you can prep and store for up to 3 months. Pull them out of the freezer the night before and place in the fridge. In the morning, breakfast is served immediately!
If you want to get more veggies and fruit into your day to day food intake, try prepping Smoothie Freezer Packs as a make ahead meal or snack, too.
You can make one of these High Protein Fruit Smoothies and leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours without all of the nutrition leaving the mix, but I enjoy them best right out of the blender!
Benefits Of Oatmeal In Protein Shakes:
Adding oatmeal in protein shakes has benefits like giving you a good source of fiber, and also health carbs especially useful for muscle gain. Another benefit is that the oatmeal in this shake keeps you full longer, making this a great protein oats smoothie for weightloss!
If youre looking to gain weight, add in even extra oats for a higher calorie recipe!
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Green Weight Loss Smoothies
Popping into a juice bar for a cold cup of extruded kale juice may be all the rage, but when it comes to both nutritional impact and weight-loss power, juices can’t hold a candle to smoothies.
- First, most commercial juices use apple juice, which is a high-sugar, low-nutrient base.
- Second, juicing strips all the natural fiber out of produce: the rough stuff is what makes it good.
- And third, juices lack fat and protein without these crucial elements, you’re getting no fat-burning, metabolism-boosting benefits.
Next time you want to drink your veggies, blend up one of these seriously nutritious recipes from the book Zero Belly Smoothies.
All recipes make one serving.
Chocolate Strawberry Protein Smoothie
Strawberry season is a beloved time of year here in Michigan and Im happy to report that the berries are super sweet this year! Thanks to plenty of rain and a warm spring, every strawberry I taste is juicy and sweet with a hint of floral aroma in the background
Strawberry season is fleeting, lasting just several weeks, which is why we tend to go crazy buying, eating and freezing as many as possible. Whether youre looking to freeze strawberries, blueberries, corn or any other fruits & veggies, dont miss my step-by-step guide to freezing summer produce.
This year we bought several big flats of berries from Krupp Farms just 15 miles down the street. When I went to pick out a flat they asked what I planned to do with the strawberries. Umm eat them? By the fistful?
Of course, I soon realized he was asking if I planned to add a bunch of sugar and turn them into jam or shortcake topping but no I cant imagine the need for adding sugar to these sweet little jewels. Instead, I turned them into a protein-packed chocolate smoothie that is 100% naturally sweetened.
Made with creamy yogurt, cocoa powder and a pinch of cinnamon, this Chocolate Strawberry Protein Smoothie is one of my favorite ways to start the day any time of the year. Lucky for me, my freezer is now filled with local Michigan strawberries to make sure that happens.
Your straw is waiting.
Recommended Reading: Low Calorie Meal Replacement Smoothies
Why Almond Milk Smoothies
Yes, Ive made the change over to almond milk. I didnt believe it when I heard some random fact of how many people prefer the taste of almond milk to dairy milk until I tried it myself. I always buy the Vanilla or Original flavor thats 60-70 calories per serving .
Dont get me wrong though, I still love milk, I just prefer almond milk a little more, and the fact that has less calories than milk is a definite bonus. The almond milk goes great in these protein smoothies!
I love how these are delicious AND healthy smoothies! They are packed with protein and antioxidants, and they are a good source of fiber. Thanks to that protein and fiber, these smoothies will fill you up and keep you going. Pictured is 1/2 serving sizes, so yes, you get two of those glasses per serving listed!
Enjoy these fruit smoothies and share! Pass along a nutritious treat.
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.
Read Also: Low Calorie Breakfast Smoothies For Weight Loss
How Can I Interest My Kids In Healthy Smoothies
The biggest way to get kids on board with anything is to make it fun and involve them!
- Set up a smoothie bar: Let your kids help with selecting what ingredients go into the smoothies, and also choosing fun and healthy toppings, like chia seeds, flax meal, sliced almonds, and fresh fruit! They will be more likely to try it if its their creation!
- Play smoothie shop: On weekend mornings, or whenever you have time. Play smoothie shop with your kids! Let them take your order, and help make the smoothies as much as they are able to, by age.
- Ask for their help in the kitchen!: Kids are amazing helpers, especially in the kitchen! They are naturally curious, and love to spend time together. Nurture this, and show them all of your favorite healthy cooking tips!
- Work in your garden/ get groceries as a family: My daughter has always loved helping in the garden. Its a great time to discuss our food and where it comes from! If you arent able to take your little ones to the grocery store, let them help you compile the grocery list.
- Read about fruits and veggies: There are tons of childrens books on about fruits, veggies, farming, and eating healthy!
High Protein Smoothie Recipes To Build Muscle
Whew! You just finished a tough strength-training sesh at the gym. You arent ready for a full meal yet, but you want to replenish your energy. How about a high-protein smoothie? Fast and easy to make, totally portable, and extra yummy, protein smoothies are an excellent post-workout snack, especially for those who want to gain muscle.
Not sure how to make smoothies for muscle gain? Youve come to the right place! First, lets learn why protein is the macronutrient your muscles need to grow. Then, check out 10 great high-protein smoothie recipes from all around the internet. Youll be sure to find a smoothie that will hit the spot.
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Protein For Smoothies: 40 Ways To Add Protein To Smoothies Without Powders
Published: · This post may contain affiliate links. ·
Smoothies can be a wholesome snack or on-the-go meal packed with nutrition…right? Then why do you often feel hungry and your blood sugar crashing an hour after you drank one? If this sounds familiar, it may be time dial in your smoothie game and think about ways to add protein to your smoothies to keep you energized and satisfied! Check out these 40 additions of protein for smoothies – no protein powder needed.
Y’all know I’m a big fan of smoothies. Since 90% of American adults don’t eat the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables , smoothies can be an efficient way to pack in some more produce. And from the comments and emails I’ve received about my popular NTF 5-a-Day Green Smoothie that helps you get five servings of fruits and vegetables in one glass, I’d say many of you seem to agree!