Smoothie Protein Power

I LOVE smoothies!! They are my number one go-to fast food on the run. They are super yummy and pack a lot of nutrition, especially when you add the right smoothie protein! Adding protein to your smoothie will ensure it is low-glycemic, helping to keep your blood sugars stable – one of the keys to healthy hormones. Plus that protein will keep you feeling fuller longer, making them great for breakfast and fantastic for lunch on the go.

Smoothies can be a great snack or even a meal, as long as you balance it out with the power of quality protein. There are plenty of smoothie protein powders out there on the market which can be convenient but not great for your overall digestion and health. We have to remember that these powders are a processed food and many contain artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners. When I choose to use a protein powder, I always choose Usana Nutrimeal Free. It is the only one I will use as it is free of gluten, dairy, and soy. It contains no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners and packs 17 grams of protein and 10 grams of fibre per serving.

There are several other convenient ways to add a protein punch to your smoothies as well. They are much more nutritious and less expensive than typical smoothie protein powders. Have fun experimenting with these in your favourite smoothie recipes:

13 Smoothie Protein Ideas

• Coconut milk (5 grams of protein per cup)
• Flax seeds (2 grams of protein per tablespoon of ground seeds) -plus they are a great source of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids
• Oats (11 grams of protein per cup)
• Chia seeds (4 grams of protein per tablespoon) – plus they are a great source of fibre, omega-3 fatty acids and calcium
• Pumpkin seeds (3 grams of protein per tablespoon) -plus magnesium, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids
• Almond butter (2 grams of protein per tablespoon)
• Cooked quinoa (8 grams of protein per cup) – typically you would only use 1/4 cup per serving
• Greek yogurt (18 grams of protein per 3/4 cup)
• Soy milk (7 grams of protein per cup)
• Sunflower seeds (1.5 grams of protein per tablespoon)
• Walnuts (4.5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup) – plus magnesium and potassium
• Hemp seeds (5 grams of protein per tablespoon) – also a good source of fibre, potassium and iron
• Cacao nibs (4 grams of protein per ounce)