High Protein Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
- Emma Lisa
- Dec 26, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 28
If you're looking for a super healthy, high protein breakfast smoothie, look no further than this super simple strawberry smoothie recipe. It's quick and easy meal prep, and not only delicious, but this recipe is also jam-packed with protein, making it the perfect post-workout snack or mid-day pick-me-up. Ready? Let's start blending!
How To Increase Protein In Smoothies?
If you haven't tried adding extra protein to smoothies before, you are going to love it! This easy hack to boost your protein intake is easily prepared by mixing your favourite protein powder with fresh or frozen fruit, greens, nuts and seeds to make a highly nutritious meal. It can be as simple as including a 30-60g scoop of protein powder to your smoothie ingredients, or by including high protein foods in your recipes such as the following:
High Protein Ingredients for Smoothies
chia seeds: are a densely nutritious seeds that provides an excellent plantbased source of clean protein and dietary fibre.
flaxseeds: are a powerhouse of nutrients and also provide a plantbased source of protein for smoothies.
Greek yogurt: is a natural source of clean protein and also probiotics.
nut butters: such as almond butter, cashew, or peanut butter, provide healthy fats and protein in smoothies; use the runny, all natural kind without anything else other than nuts/seeds on the ingredients list.
protein powder: made from whey, casein, or plantbased (pea/brown rice) provides a healthy hit of protein and is super easy to add by dumping in a 30-60g scoop to the blender.
rolled oats: might be top of mind for protein, but they do provide smaller dose and are an excellent high-fibre ingredient for smoothies; add a tablespoon or two for a creamy texture.
silken tofu: is another plantbased or vegan source of clean protein powder and makes for a creamy texture.
As you can see, there are so many easy ways to increase the nutrition and protein content in your morning smoothies. A breakfast that includes a good serving of clean protein is one of the best ways to start off the day and help reduce food and sugar cravings later in the day. Try it for a week straight and see how you feel!
Key Ingredients Used
This protein smoothie is the perfect breakfast recipe for busting those afternoon sugar-free cravings. All you need to make it is a few key ingredients and a high-powered blender. The fabulous thing about this recipe though, is that you can flavour it any number of ways simply by varying the fruit, nuts, seeds, and other ingredients.
milk: you can use any type of milk for this smoothie, but I prefer plantbased milk like unsweetened almond, coconut, oat or non-GMO soy.
banana or cauliflower: use a frozen banana for the creamiest texture and eliminate the need for ice, or instead, for a lower carb version, try steamed cauliflower for added thickness.
berries or high-fibre fruit: you can use fresh or frozen strawberries, but also any berry will do. Try other high-fibre fruits like apricots, green banana, kiwi, mango, pear, or figs.
yoghurt: use Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein, or try vegan yoghurts like coconut or cashew (just watch for sugar); stir in a scoop of vegan or whey-based protein powder before you blend for an additional boost.
protein powder: adding protein powder makes this smoothie an ideal breakfast or pre or post workout smoothie recipe.
Adding more protein to smoothies is quite simple, and many of these ingredients are probably already sitting in your fridge or kitchen pantry. You can make smoothies as basic or as gourmet as you choose, based on what you have on-hand, and how much time you have to meal prep.
Looking for a delicious way to detox and nourish with smoothies? Come join the Nutritionist -led 5 Day Detox Smoothie Challenge and feast on clean eating smoothies that naturally help your body detox from sugar, processed foods and rebalance the appetite. Register for this free event here.
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Tips For Making Smoothies
The best way to make smoothies is to meal prep the ingredients you plan to use so get the most nutrition and taste from each one. Pop on over to my Meal Planning blog for heaps of quick and easy meal prep tips and click here how to make my famous "smoothie drops" for smoothies on the run.
freeze overripe bananas: whenever you have bananas that are almost past their best, freeze the bananas either in their peel, or pre-chop into chunks and pop into a container. You can then add them right into smoothies for a that delicious creamy texture and flavour
make it thick: adding frozen banana creates a lovely, soft-serve texture to smoothies; also try a handful of ice, avocados, steamed cauliflower or sweet potato.
skip the protein powder: adding protein powder to smoothies gives them an extra energy boost, but you can make this drink without if you prefer.
use a high speed blender: this will get the ingredients nice and smooth. If you don’t have a high speed blender, you may need to stir it a few times, and blend for slightly longer til all of the banana has broken down.
Allergic To Dairy?
Experiment with coconut, cashew, soy or other non-dairy milk to find one that provides you with the best smoothie consistency. Personally, I find a nice, unsweetened almond or even just water to be the best dairy-free option. You can also try coconut water (just watch for added sugars).
Diabetic, Can I Still Enjoy This Recipe?
Balancing your blood sugar is super important to your well-being as a diabetic. You can definitely enjoy this high-protein smoothie recipe (and many of my other recipes) by focusing on using low carb, high fibre fruits like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries, and healthy fats from avocado, nut butter, almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Choose a protein powder that is very low in sugar (less than 3g per serving), and focus on creating smoothie recipes that build off the healthy fats and protein. This'll help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Just a footnote--if you choose to add dairy-based protein, always go for an organic, grass-fed whey base. And if you are plantbased like myself, opt for a vegan version that has both pea and brown rice proteins to create the full amino chain. For me as a diabetic, I use Aussie Bodies, "Nourish". This brand has 16.5g of vegan sourced protein and only 3 carbs, 0.3g sugar and already 7g of dietary fibre per serving before you even add in the wholesome ingredients suggested above. Winning!
Looking for a delicious way to detox and nourish with smoothies? Come join the Nutritionist -led 5 Day Detox Smoothie Challenge and feast on clean eating smoothies that naturally help your body detox from sugar, processed foods and rebalance the appetite. Register for this free event here.
Superfood Smoothie Ingredients
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Protein Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie
How To Make It
Blenders ready? I promise you once you taste this strawberry smoothie recipe, you'll be as hooked as I am! It makes such a quick brekkie, a deliciously sweet dessert on a hot summer's day, or for an afternoon snack-- and one you can happily enjoy guilt-free. You only need a few minutes to prepare it, and it is super nourishing.
High Protein Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients
250ml almond milk, unsweetened
1-2 scoops Vanilla flavoured protein, whey or vegan based (30-60g serving)
1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, organic
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 drops stevia liquid sweetener (if needed)
OPTIONAL: 3 tbsp raw cacao or carob chips, sugar-free
Cooking Method
Add the liquid first to a high-powered blender like a Ninja , Smeg or a handy Portable Blender for on the go, and then add all the remaining ingredients. blend for a minute until well-combined and creamy smooth. You can enjoy this recipe as is, or top with a few fresh berries or your favourite ingredients to serve.
Recipe Variations
This smoothie recipe is a great beginner's recipe if you want to start experimenting with smoothie recipes and start making your own. Try the recipe different fruit and berries, and add a handful of greens like spinach or kale. Add a little nut butter and seeds to up the protein content, or try it with a scoop of plain or flavoured protein powder. There are literally too many ways to list to share how you can make this smoothie recipe with different flavours. Pop down in the comments and share your thoughts.
Batch Cooking & Meal Prep
This is so worth the effort, and by "effort" I mean, the 5 minutes it'll take you to dump a few scoops of the smoothie mixture in a 4-6 serving jars and chuck some fruit on top. If you are always in a mad rush in the mornings and are trying to prioritise clean eating, this is going to be your go to hack. Use some of the ideas above and mix and match ingredients, superfoods and toppings to make a delicious collection to high-protein recipe and meals you'll be looking forward to eating.
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I'd love to know if you make this smoothie recipe, and what combinations you come up with experimenting in your kitchen. Tell me in the comments, hit the chat button to send me an update or come join our Facebook Community and share your photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best protein to use in smoothies?
This really depends on your macro goals and dietary needs. For those who consume dairy, go for unsweetened Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese, organic, grass-fed whey protein power or ones derived from both pea and brown rice if choosing vegan. For other plant-based options, try hemp, soy or a clean vegan protein powder. As always, just check the label, the fewer the ingredients, the better.
Can I make a high-protein smoothie without protein powder?
Yes, absolutely! Building a well-balanced smoothie without relying on protein powder, is a great way to nourish and eat a variety of macros. Choose wholefood ingredients from organic or top quality sources such as plain Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, non-GMO silken tofu, chia seeds, hemp hearts, or raw, organic nut butters. These of these tasty ingredients add protein naturally, no powder needed.
How much protein should a smoothie have?
Less is more. The human body can only absorb so much protein at one given time, so aim for a mid-range serving of 30g from clean, organic whey or vegan protein powder or combined ingredients. This doesn't matter if you are using smoothies for a main meal, mid-afternoon snack or post-workout fuel. Stick to 30g per serving and consume only enough to suit your individual macro goals.
Are high-protein smoothies good for weight loss?
Yes they can be if you keep a few things in mind. Protein helps with satiety and reduces cravings, so when paired with dietary fibre and healthy fats, a high-protein smoothie can work well to control your appetite throughout the day. A balanced appetite can help you reduce your calorie intake and support healthy weight loss and energy for workouts.
Can I prep protein smoothies ahead of time?
You can! Just store the pre-made smoothie mixture in an airtight jar and give it a good shake or blend again before serving. For the best texture, I recommend that you keep the liquid and dry ingredients separate until you're ready to drink. If you really want to make quick work of having pre-made smoothies on hand, head over to my Meal Planning blog for heaps of quick and easy meal prep tips and how to make my famous "smoothie drops" for perfect smoothies on the run.
Healthy + happiness,
Emma Lisa xx
HEALTH & NUTRITION PRACTITIONER
This recipe was so great….I added coconut milk and love that you add chia seeds….made a few, they were hearty and just the right amount of sweetness.
Great recipe! Sounds so refreshing and delicious. It will be perfect for a warm day.
This strawberry breakfast smoothie looks like the perfect way to start the day, fresh, simple, and packed with protein! I love how easy it is to whip up, and the color is so vibrant. Can’t wait to try this for a quick and nourishing morning option!