This high protein powerhouse blueberry kale smoothie is full of antioxidants and plenty of protein to keep you full and satisfied until your next meal.
It’s time for me to come clean: my morning smoothie is rarely beautiful. But what it lacks in beauty it more than makes up for in taste, I promise. My secret? CINNAMON! Yes, cinnamon. Why should oatmeal have all the fun?
Cinnamon is good for you
Cinnamon is my favorite thing to add to a smoothie. Not only delicious but it adds a subtle, spicy balance to the sweet fruit. I have three reasons as to why cinnamon is a good addition.
- Helps Control Blood Sugars: When paired with high-carb foods such as fruits it can actually counter-balance any spikes in blood sugar. As a result, your energy levels will remain stable and you won’t experience that post-meal crash.
- Boosts brain power
- Rich in antioxidants
I use cinnamon in a few of my other favorite smoothie recipes like Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie, Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie, and Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie.
Kale and Blueberries in smoothies
Kale is an amazing superfood and is regarded as a nutrition powerhouse. This leafy vegetable contains high amounts of vitamins A, K, and C along with numerous other benefits such as preventing heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and providing bone health.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. Phytonutrients are not essential but may help reduce disease and cancer. Blueberries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them anti-inflammatory as well.
Frequently asked questions:
What kind of kale is good for smoothies?
Traditional chopped kale is perfect for smoothies. I suggest not using lacinato kale as it has a bitter taste to it.
How do you blend kale smoothly?
Utilizing a high-speed blender such as a Blendtec, Ninja or Vitamix will ensure your kale is well blended into a smoothie. When blending I would not recommend kale stems in smoothies as it would make the end product taste bitter.
How do you adjust the thickness in a smoothie?
If you need to adjust the thickness of a smoothie, add more or less ice to reach the desired thickness. The amount of water you will need will depend on whether you are working with fresh or frozen fruit. I typically add 1/2 cup water with the protein powder as a way to get the smoothie going in the blender but it is optional.
This smoothie has over 17g of protein so it’s a great choice to stay full throughout your busy day.
Your straw is waiting.
High Protein Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ banana
- ½ cup chopped kale
- ½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup plain low fat yogurt
- 1 scoop protein powder (1/2 c water optional)
- 1 tablespoon flax seed meal
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- two handfuls ice or more to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and puree until smooth.
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Take a look at my Pinterest board for more smoothie recipes!
So when you put veggies into your smoothies, can you seriously not taste it at all? I don’t even know what kale looks like but I might look into it if I can’t taste it. :D
You seriously can’t, promise. ask my husband!!!!
Love the combination of ingredients. Never thought of adding cinnamon to the mix. Will have to try. Thanks!
Let me know what you think if you try it!
Hey this looks great! Just one question – Do you have any idea what I can substitute in for yogurt? I recently started going dairy-free because I think I’ve developed an intolerance to lactose. :( Thanks! :D
Just leave it out or try using a soy-based yogurt! If you want to add something else for fat/protein try almond or peanut butter. :)
I love cinnamon. And I’m on a kale thing lately. This sounds delicious.
You and me both!! I can’t get enough of it!
Great recipe
So glad you like it!
I need to mainline one of these smoothies after Doughnut Week! YUM!!!
Ha!! And after all these smoothies I need a dozen donuts please!
Never judge a smoothie by it’s color! annnnd cinnamon is where it’s at!
Words to live by!! xo
Cinnamon is DEFINITELY my jam. I’m pretty convinced it makes all things in life better!
I completely agree!!! Savory and sweet!
I often avoid green smoothies because I just have a hard time drinking veggies, I love that it’s masked in this one!
I think you’d love this version!! My husband eats it and he is the pickiest eater I know!
Yum! I love every single ingredient in this! Sounds absolutely delicious!! xx
Thank you so much Lucy!
Liz, have you tried our Cinnamon Spiked Coffee smoothie? You will love it!! I am with you – cinnamon is my jam and I add it to almost every smoothie :)
No I WANT IT!!!
Clearly I need this after a weekend of making naughty doughnuts! xoxo
Dude. I ate truffle fries like it was my day job this weekend. Bring on the smoothies!
I absolutely LOVE cinnamon, but never thought to add it to my smoothies! Great idea! PS. My smoothies are never pretty either!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one with ugly smoothies!! :) Let me know what you think of the cinnamon!
I really need to buck up and try a smoothie with something green in it. I know its so much healthier for you :) Maybe I can try this one, because the green veggie is invisible under all those blueberries!
I promise you won’t taste the greens!!
What a yummy and healthy smoothie! By the way, I basically read your previous post on the importance of breakfast to my husband and he agreed he needs to start eating breakfast and loved the info. Thanks!
Oh I’m so glad!! Tell him to eat it!! :)
This is my kind of smoothie and bring on the cinnamon!
Thanks Gaby!! Can’t wait for your next webisode. :)
This post just made my day. Your smoothie recipe is similar to one of my own recipes that is my favorite. I am always hesitant to post it because of its unappealing color. Way to be courageous in the name of health:)
Heck yes!! All in the name of cinnamon right? :)
Happy Monday Morning Liz! I LOVE Smoothies. And I have to admit, I have NEVER used cinnamon. Great tip! I will try it with my next smoothie Friend. :-) PS ~ My smoothies aren’t pretty either… but they are healthy and delish so that’s ok, right?
Happy Monday Kim!! You must try cinnamon – it is so good and really rounds out the drink. Cheers to healthy and delish!!
High five berry cinnamon smoothie twin! (just posted one today–great minds.) Trying your version with kale next!
I love that we’re on the same page!! I need to try the dates next time!!
My smoothies aren’t very good looking either but I still love them :) This powerhouse smoothie sounds delicious to me!
Three cheers to not so beautiful smoothies! :)
You know why I love your posts? You explain why everything is healthy instead of just being all “it’s healthy so you should eat it” and then not telling us why!
This is informative and I am loving the idea of blueberry and cinnamon! Pinned!
You are so sweet – thank you so much for making my day!! I appreciate it Taylor. :)