One of my favorite breakfasts is a protein smoothie. They are just simple and easy to prepare before work, I can enjoy it in the car on the way, and it will keep me full all day long. I really got into these about a year and a half ago when talking with my pre-wedding personal trainer. Although I love weekend brunches, I’ve never really liked breakfast foods before work when I’m in a hurry and struggle with finding something I want to eat that will boost my metabolism at the most important part of the day and then keep me full with stable blood sugar throughout the morning. While my trainer doesn’t recommend enjoying a whole smoothie after a workout when you’re trying to loose weight, he did say it is a perfect meal replacement, especially for breakfast. Here’s how I make mine (which rings in at about 270 calories):
1 Tbsp. chobani plain non-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp. Natural creamy peanut butter
1 cup Silk Pure Almond unsweetened vanilla almond milk
About 4 frozen strawberries
1/3 of a banana (about 4 small slices)
3/4 a scoop of protein
3-4 ice cubes
Just combine all ingredients (except ice) and blend. Then, add ice to adjust to your desired consistency and blend. Enjoy – easy as that!
I use an immersion blender. Even though we have a nicer one that we got for the wedding, I really love that I can blend right in the cup and not make a mess and then do a quick hand wash of the immersion wand and I’m good to go. Mine is pink:
Although I’m using something else right now, my favorite protein is Designer Whey French Vanilla. The package looks like this:
Its available at GNC or here at drugstore.com. My personal trainer recommended this because a whole scoop is only 100 calories which is perfect for women trying to tone up or just get needed protein in their diet and not bulk up. Plus, I think it tastes really good.
Since this recipe calls for part of a banana, I just slice up a couple the first time I make a smoothie. Then, plop the slices on a piece of wax paper, let them freeze, and seal them in a ziplock baggie for future use.
Other really great variations of this smoothie are strawberry and blackberry and pineapple and mango. I got a pumpkin and honey protein smoothie at a health food restaurant last year so I’m looking forward to trying to make one of those this fall. Enjoy!
Yum! I had a chocolate and peanut butter protein smoothie this morning on the way to work! Wonder how many calories that had in it… 🙂
Yum! I'm going to have to give this a try!
Love protein smoothies. Sometimes I'll even add some oatmeal! New follower, loving your blog! Lidija
Love a protein smoothie in the morning! My husband takes pride in his smoothie skills. I take pride in not having to make and clean up breakfast:)
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