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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Breakfast + Brunch

    This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure.

    Published: by

    Protein Powder Smoothie Flavor Mix-Ins

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    protein powder smoothie with spinach in glass pin

    If you drink your nutrients every morning, you'll love my protein powder smoothie mix-ins. Every shake can be different and delicious.


    Since doing my microbiome cleanse, I've continued to have a protein shake to start each day. I have some great suggestions for mix-ins that will make each day different and tasty!

    ingredients for protein powder smoothies in bowls

    Most protein powder smoothies start with a flavored protein powder. Many are vanilla, as was the Biome Shake I drank while on a 21 day microbiome cleanse.

    Vanilla and chocolate flavored protein powders are easy to flavor with other healthy ingredients. My cleanse had me staying away from fruit juices and any added sugars, so this post has ideas under those general guidelines, but you can add juices to your smoothies if you'd like.

    I love adding healthy additions to a basic smoothie. I will be honest, I was getting tired of the plain vanilla flavor of my shake.

    I have other smoothie recipes I drink in the morning or after a workout. However, they aren't all protein based, and I like using a protein powder to boost my gut health too.

    Blueberry Ginger Smoothie
    Almond Banana Smoothie
    Tropical Smoothie
    Green Goddess Smoothie
    Hide Your Veggies Smoothie

    green smoothie in a glass

    What is a protein powder smoothie?

    There are quite a few protein powders on the market. They are concentrated sources of protein from either animal or plant foods and get mixed into water or nut milks to make a shake, or smoothie.

    Protein is essential for your muscles, bones, cartilage, skin and blood and your body uses it to make internal repairs so to speak. Unlike carbs or fat, your body can't actually store extra protein, so you have to make sure and take in enough of it on a regular basis.

    It may be hard to get all the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) if you are vegan or vegetarian also. Protein powder smoothies are a simple way to do this, while maintaining a clean diet and exercise routine.

    What can I mix into my protein powder smoothies?

    • nut milks, such as almond, cashew, hazelnut, coconut or soy
    • whole fruit, such as berries, bananas, citrus, pineapple, kiwi, mango, etc.
    • citrus zest
    • unsweetened cocoa powder
    • nuts
    • nut butters
    • peanut butter powder
    • dark greens such as spinach or kale
    • dates
    • seeds such as hemp, chia and flax
    • fresh ginger
    • spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric
    • carrots
    • extracts such as vanilla, almond, orange or coconut
    orange zest and cocoa powder for smoothies

    Most protein powders for smoothies already have a sweetener like stevia mixed in. If yours doesn't, feel free to add honey, maple syrup or stevia to taste.

    Pro Tip: I like to zest several oranges, limes or lemons and keep the zest in a small, covered container in the fridge to use all week. You can simply scoop out a teaspoon to use in each smoothie without having to take the time to zest citrus each morning.

    What to do with the zested citrus? Store in the fridge drawer until you are ready to eat it, or cut the peel off and dice the fruit. Keep it covered in the fridge to use anytime.

    ingredients for protein powder smoothies on table

    Create your own, or try some of these combinations in your next protein powder smoothie:

    Chocolate Orange

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons orange zest
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    Green Pineapple Perfection

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ¾ cup diced pineapple
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    Chocolate Shake It Up

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ½ banana
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon cashew butter
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

    Hawaii Surf

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened coconut milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ½ cup diced pineapple
    • ½ banana
    • 1 cup baby kale
    • ¼ teaspoon coconut extract
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

    Green Ginger

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • 1 inch fresh peeled ginger
    • ½ orange peeled
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    Peach Dreams

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen peaches
    • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 tablespoon flax seeds

    Key Lime High

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened coconut milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 1 tablespoon flax seeds
    • 1 cup baby spinach
    • 2 tablespoons cashew butter
    • ¼ teaspoon coconut extract

    Berry Goodness

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ¾ cup frozen mixed berries (or fresh)
    • 1 inch peeled fresh ginger
    • ¾ cup baby kale
    • 2 teaspoons orange zest

    Cherry Good

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ½ cup frozen cherries (or fresh)
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    PBJ In A Glass

    • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
    • 6 to 8 oz ice water or unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 ice cubes
    • ¾ cup frozen mixed berries (or fresh)
    • ½ banana
    • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon flax seeds
    • pinch of cinnamon
    smoothie ingredients on a table

    Protein Smoothie Mix Ins

    Tara Teaspoon
    If you drink your nutrients every morning, you'll love my protein powder smoothie mix-ins. Every shake can be different and delicious.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 43 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 serving protein powder shake mix
    • 10 oz almond milk or water
    • 4 ice cubes
    • Desired additions

    Instructions
     

    • Add protein powder, milk and ice cubes to a blender. Add desired additions and blend until smooth. Drink immediately

    Notes

    • Nutrition facts are a close calculated estimate based on the weight of the ingredients. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSodium: 381mgCalcium: 340mgIron: 0.2mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

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    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Written by Tessa Ostvig. Images Tara Teaspoon

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    Filed Under: Breakfast + Brunch, Drinks and Smoothies Tagged With: diet, healthy, protein powders, smoothies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Bench says

      May 17, 2019 at 6:57 pm

      Well these mix-ins will add some great variety! Thank you!

      Reply

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