Creamy and delicious smoothie packed with protein and fiber to give you lasting energy.
In my experience, I’ve found that the key to maintaining healthy eating goals and resolutions is to master a few fast and easy recipes. Simple and delicious recipes that you can go back to again and again.
Mornings are a busy time – we have children to feed, jobs to get ready for, Facebook and Twitter to check…. oh wait. ;-)
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. Don’t get me wrong, I love smoothies of all varieties, but this Berry Spinach Smoothie is the one I’m currently obsessed with and I think you will be too.
Smoothies are an ideal healthy breakfast for many reasons:
1) You can toss ingredients in the blender the night before, refrigerate overnight and blend with ice in the morning.
2) Short on time? Throw the entire smoothie in a portable cup and get on with your Facebook reading, I mean busy day. ;-)
3) By nature, they take longer to consume which gives the brain the extra time to register fullness. You’ll feel more satisfied and not like a Sad Sally drinking her January green smoothie.
4) Great use for any fruits or vegetables you have on hand – frozen berries, oranges, baby kale, frozen peaches, mango, parsley, go crazy!
5) Low calorie source of protein and fiber which means you will have lasting energy and won’t be hungry an hour later.
Ready to blend?
Your straw is waiting.
Banana Berry Spinach Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed berries frozen
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 0% fat
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon flax seed meal
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups baby spinach
- handful ice
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
Jonessa
Do you use plain yogurt? I’m new to the smoothie world :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I always use plain yogurt – either Greek or regular plain. I don’t use sweetened yogurt because I always add fruit. :)
Pat
Loved the recipe! we exchanged the greek yogurt for protein powder and the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice…… and will definitely make it again.. Thanks!!
Casey
Hi Liz! Sorry, if you have posted this somewhere already, but what type of protein powder do you recommend? And would it be beneficial to do a smoothie more than once a day…to really help with weight loss? Thanks a bunch!
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Casey! Great question and one I get all the time. So much so in fact that I have a tab on my main page called “Shop” where I link to all of my favorite ingredients, gadgets and more through Amazon. Here’s the link in case you can’t find it: http://astore.amazon.com/thlebo-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=1 BioChem is my favorite protein powder and we use it daily!! As for having a smoothie more than once a day – I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that but personally I would get bored and give up. To lose weight, just try to cut 500 calories a day (or burn 500 calories or split the difference cutting 250 and burning 250.) Of course I am not a medical professional so I can’t give out specific weight loss advice. :-)
Casey
Thank you so much!!! :) I’ve never counted calories…guess I’ve just been intimidated to do that for some reason.
Thanks for the advice!
Yvonne @ bitter baker
I love smoothies! This looks so good, and I love the fact that you added ginger! :)
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you like the ginger add – it’s my favorite too!!!
DessertForTwo
I’ve been ‘free-stylin’ my smoothies lately and they have been less than delicious. Thanks for a great recipe that I can follow to get me back on track! I was hunting for a green one with berries–thanks! :)
[email protected]
I love that you can make this the night before, makes the morning so much easier!
Liz DellaCroce
YES Jessica!! Such a time saver!!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
yum! We have smoothies almost every morning, but I never use ginger or cinnamon or flax seed… I think I’m missing out on some health benefits!
Liz DellaCroce
Ginger tastes so good with the berries (or peaches or any fruit) and it is a natural digestive aid. The cinnamon has a ton of antioxidants (plus good flavor) and the flax seed is obviously great for you. Let me know what you think Megan!
Julie @ Table for Two
YOU ROCK. This smoothie recipe is what I needed (especially the tips). I always make my smoothies in the mornings but it’s SO loud that I can’t do it on the weekends cause I’ll wake up the fiancé. So smart to make it the night before then blend it in the morning with ice or just drink it without the ice – it’s still cold, right?! I need to get some protein powder – I’m sure it’d keep me fuller. I need to get back on track with my diet. Which, I was actually thinking about you a lot today and I need to email you soon. You seem like a great motivator ;)
Liz DellaCroce
So funny about waking your fiance!! I’ve never actually tried blending it the night before since I always add ice in the morning but it will most definitely still be cold. And yes, the protein powder is a must or else you’ll be hungry five seconds later. If you workout, it’s especially key. Shoot me an email any time!! Would be happy to motivate. :-) xoxo
Julia
This could fit right in to my current smoothie addiction! I keep meaning to add spinach in and haven’t yet–looks so tasty. :) Also, I love fresh ginger in smoothies and tea…so good.
Liz DellaCroce
You’ve gotta try it – I swear you won’t taste it!! My son and husband love green smoothies and trust me, they aren’t drinking them for the health benefits. ;-)
Baking Serendipity
I love making smoothies in the morning, but never thought to prep everything in the blender and leave it in the fridge overnight. So smart! I’m always up for a new tip to give me more time to sleep :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! It’s SUCH a time saver!!! Enjoy! :)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Liz, you are brilliant! I can’t wait to get my blend on. I’ve been looking for great smoothie recipes and this looks amazing. High-five, gurrrr!!
Liz DellaCroce
You are so sweet… FIST PUMP right back ‘atcha!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
I am on a smoothie kick lately – just got a blender for Christmas! I have been wanting to try one with spinach, and this isn’t green – so I stand a chance of my 7 year old drinking! Pinning and trying soon!
Liz DellaCroce
The berries are darker than the baby spinach so it never turns totally green!! Also, I add cinnamon for extra flavor and antioxidants which also prevents it from looking green. :-) Put it in a fun colored to-go cup/straw they also can’t tell the color! :-)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
It must be smoothie day, I’m seeing these all over! :) This looks great!
carrian
I loooove berry protein shakes. My hubby always does chocolate versions and it’s too much for me. Can’t wait to try your version
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think, Carrian! I don’t have a big sweet tooth so I love the tartness that the berries bring.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
I love smoothies – such a great way to start the day and get key nutrients into our little ones!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s so true!! Plus, I swear my son wants to eat whatever I am eating so he always drinks a good amount of mine – lol.
Kim | At Home With Kim
Smoothies are one of my favorite daily treats. I usually end up having it as an afternoon snack. And I’m always looking for new ways to make them! Love your recipe and look forward to trying it.
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Kim!!! When I had my son, they became a necessity. I love that they can sit for awhile. :-) Have a great week!