Protein Green Smoothie

Green Smoothies with Protein Powder are a great addition to your morning breakfast routine! This healthy drink is packed with healthy whole food ingredients, ready in less than 5 minutes, and is nutritionally balanced enough to keep you full all morning! Plus a meal prep freezer option!  

If you're looking for more high protein smoothies, try this amazing High Calorie High Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie! It's such a yummy treat!

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SMOOTHIES FOR ATHLETES

Smoothies are a great post addition to any workout recovery routine. They are full of vitamins and micronutrients to quickly refuel the body and boost antioxidants and hydration.

SMOOTHIE VS SHAKE

While protein shakes are a favorite of athletes for post-training, it’s not the only nutrient your body needs for recovery and muscle growth. Fruits and vegetables are a fast source of nutrients for your body to replenish post-workout.

MORE POST WORKOUT SMOOTHIES

Looking for a delicious berry smoothie recipe packed with antioxidants, check out this Triple Berry Smoothie protein smoothie recipe. Or, for a smoothie packed with anti-inflammatory properties, check out this Ginger Smoothie with Carrot, Orange, and Lemon.

WHY ARE GREEN SMOOTHIES HEALTHY?

Green smoothie recipes can be a fantastic way to get more nutrition, fiber, and micronutrients into your diet. It's important to use natural, whole-food ingredients and steer clear of lots of added fruit juices. Here’s a breakdown of the health benefits of the superfood ingredients used in this smoothie recipe. 

KALE

Kale is considered the king of all the leafy greens and is one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant-based foods.  It comes from the cabbage family, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and collards. It’s tasty when cooked or eaten raw. Kale is low in calories, low in fat, and full of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), Lutein, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc. 

Read here to learn more about the health benefits of Kale.

SPINACH

Spinach is often called a superfood since it’s loaded with tons of nutrients and antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamins B6, Vitamin B9, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Folic acid, Iron, Calcium, Potassium, and Magnesium. This dark, leafy green is part of the amaranth family and is related to beets and quinoa. Consider adding more spinach to your healthy diet!

LEMON

Lemons are a great addition to a healthy lifestyle! They are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Antioxidants help remove free radicals that can damage cells from the body. Lemons are also great when paired with foods high in iron (like the spinach in this smoothie) since pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with iron-rich foods increases the body’s ability to absorb iron.

Lemon juice will help your smoothie stay fresh in your refrigerator for 1-2 days. Read more about the health benefits of lemons here.

APPLE

An apple a day…. Apples are not only delicious but are good for you in so many ways! Apples have a good amount of flavonoids and pectin. Pectin is a fiber that breaks down in your gut. If you’re juicing or removing the skin of the apple, you won’t get as much of the fiber or flavonoids. The fiber you get from the pectin and flavonoids can slow digestion so you feel fuller after eating. This in turn can keep you from overeating...just another reason smoothies are my go-to healthy drink! 

BANANA

Bananas are considered one of the most popular fruits. They contain a moderate amount of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants like Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Copper, and Manganese. Unripe bananas rank lower on the glycemic index than ripe and overripe bananas. The Glycemic index is a tool used to measure how quickly a food increases blood sugar levels. This is why overripe bananas are preferred for their super sweetness in homemade banana bread recipes.

ADDING PROTEIN POWDER TO A SMOOTHIE

Adding protein powder to your smoothie is a great idea, especially if you're consuming it as your meal. The added protein will help you feel full longer and reduce cravings between meals. Which, is good if you're trying to shed a few pounds.

For this smoothie, a plain or vanilla flavored protein powder works best. While this recipe calls for 2 scoops of protein powder, it's important to follow the recommended amount on your particular brand.  The goal is to have about 20g of protein per serving. 

MEAL PREPPING SMOOTHIES WITH PROTEIN POWDER

When meal prepping, I recommend waiting until the morning of to add the protein powder. Just make the smoothie as directed and store it in a blender bottle overnight. When you're ready to drink, simply add the protein powder, and shake until blended well.

BEST PROTEIN POWDERS TO ADD TO YOUR SMOOTHIE

Not all protein powders are created equal and there are tons on the market. It can be had to know which one to pick! My recommendation is to look for a clean-food protein powder that meets your dietary needs and tastes good.

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