Protein Powder Smoothie Flavor Mix-Ins

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

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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!

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

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

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.

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

Refreshing & fun drink recipes

Written by Tessa Ostvig. Images Tara Teaspoon