Start your day with this healthy strawberry banana spinach smoothie. The added low fat vegan protein helps keep you full and energized all morning long!
This recipe was originally published on 4/28/16
Breakfast is always the hardest meal for me to deal with. Mostly because I need to start my day with something easy to throw together, not too heavy and protein rich to keep me going.
Smoothies are generally a good way for me to not only pack in greens, but also protein. Plus they are light enough not to weigh me down but filling enough to keep me going.
Pea Protein Smoothie
I am so picky with my protein powder. I want something vegan, low fat, whole food based, low carb and most of the time unflavored. I know, so high maintenance.
The good news is that I have finally found something I like. Pea protein and I am beyond excited about it! This vegan strawberry banana spinach smoothie is the perfect way to start my day and keep me full.
If you don't like pea protein, you can use whatever you like. But if you're looking for the same things I am, then give this a try! However you may need to try a few different brands of pea protein powder to find one you mesh with. Some have an aftertaste.
The one I love to use is this pea protein from NOW Foods. There is literally one ingredient, peas. Pure non-gmo peas. And once I saw that, I was sold. Hook. Line. Sinker. The best is that it is low fat and low carb, not a common find in the whole food protein vegan world.
Peas are also highly bioavailable and earth friendly, they have no major allergens and this protein keeps me full! As soon as I tried it, I was on a mission to make pea protein smoothies like it was nobody's business.
Can you add spinach to any smoothie?
I love adding spinach to my smoothies. It isn't easy to taste, so you can pack it in. And it's full of nutrients. Beginning my day full of greens gets me off to the perfect start!
Because spinach is so mild in flavor, you really can add it to any kind of smoothie. I add it to fruit based ones like this strawberry banana spinach smoothie, and to chocolate based ones like this Salted Caramel Cashew Cacao Chunk Smoothie.
What are the benefits of spinach smoothies?
Spinach has so many benefits! It has loads of nutrients but is low in calories. Some of the most beneficial things spinach provides are:
- protein
- vitamin A
- vitamin C
- fiber
- folic acid
Can you use frozen spinach for smoothies?
I personally don't use the bags of prefrozen spinach because the flavor seems to be too strong for me. It almost tastes as if it has been cooked, then frozen. You can use it if you have a brand you like flavor wise, but fresh spinach is better in my opinion.
That being said, I do have a trick I use to prep my smoothies for the week so that I can make then quick and easy each morning.
How do you make a smoothie for a week?
Being prepared for healthy eating the the number one thing you can do for success. So to prep myself for a good breakfast, I make smoothie bags.
For this strawberry banana spinach smoothie, I prep bags (or you can use jars) with the strawberries, banana and spinach. Then I put them in the freezer. When I am ready to make it, I pull one out and add the other ingredients and blend!
This helps me so I don't grab for something not as healthy. Since I know I put the effort to prep for the week, I won't let myself get lazy.
How To Make a Healthy Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Two simple instructions. This I can handle! Here is the step by step hold your hand kinda way to get a protein packed simple breakfast into your belly!
- Dump ingredients in.
- Blend.
Other Tasty Smoothies You Might Like:
- Tropical Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
- Salted Caramel Cashew Cacao Chunk Smoothie
- Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
- Protein Coffee Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Spinach Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie:
- 1 ½ cups non dairy milk of choice
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1-2 tablespoons unflavored Pea Protein , I use NOW Foods brand
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- pinch sea salt
- 1 Medjool date , optional (if needed for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
- This makes 3 cups total, each serving is 1 ½ cups.
- The chia seeds help thicken the smoothie and add extra nutrition.
- Prep the strawberries, bananas and spinach in bags or jars and freeze
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Lucie
Pea protein sound amazing Sophia! I love my hemp one but you really got me excited about yours 😉 And that smoothie looks incredible! Such vibrant color, love it!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Lucie! I used hemp every day until I found this. I love the hemp but I like that the pea is lower in fat. Then I can add some nut butter for flavor and not be so high on the fat content. I was shocked to find such a simple powder!
Aimee / Wallflower Kitchen
LOVE the colour of that smoothie! When I had spinach to smoothies it never looks that good 😀
veggiesdontbite
Ha! Thanks Aimee!! It's the added berries that help!
Alisa Fleming
Pea protein is my new favorite dairy-free option! I haven't tried the NOW foods one yet, but like that brand in general - will have to look for it. And that smoothie ... needless to say, it looks like a whole lot of yum.
veggiesdontbite
Isn't it great?! I was so happy to find it! Thanks Alisa!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
im always looking for new ways to get more protein in the morning..the idea of pea protein is new to me...and i will have to check it out, esp since it is unflavored
veggiesdontbite
It's great! I prefer unflavored for sure. Starting my day off like this is a huge help!
Jayne
What gorgeous colour you have in the smoothie! love a good protein smoothie to help fight the mid morning hunger
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Jayne!! Aren't they the best?!
Sarah
Oh my heavens, these smoothies sound amazing! So much more exciting than my banana/chocolate protein powder/ almond butter go-to....thanks for the inspiration and realization that I need to step up my smoothie game!! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Haha Sarah! Thank you! I love the banana chocolate almond butter too! it's just nice to mix it up so we don't get bored!
Mahy
Oh this sounds absolutely DELISH!! I can't wait to make them! And what pretty cups! Love the photos too 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank Mahy! I had to include both recipes since I switch it up to keep it nice and fresh!
Laura
Pea protein is a great source for us plant eaters, and is definitely one that I regularly use. I am loving the look of that espresso smoothie . . . coffee and smoothie and spinach and protein all in one. Best deal!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Laura! I was so excited to discover this pea protein! I don't like added ingredients in my every day stuff so it's perfect for me!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
I'm not much of a protein powder fan either and have never gotten into it, but I'll have to check out this pea protein, especially if it's ONLY made with peas! Your espresso version sounds awesome...and at least once out of the week I'm scrambling around to grab a handful of nuts before running out the door (this is AFTER my workout which is horrible)...love the glasses btw!
veggiesdontbite
Yep. Only peas! It's fantastic and the perfect start to my day. It's SO not good to go without a good breakfast especially with workouts! Thanks so much!
Uma Srinivas
Looks yummy! Pea protein is new to me. With all these berries sounds great!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Uma! Pea protein is awesome. Give it a try, you'd love it!
Simon
Lovely recipe! I'm curious at the combination of flavor 8 in these! I'm not really vegan but there are many recipes that are delicious without animals products too. This is a good example! I'm learning 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Simon!! So much is naturally plant based or can be easily and deliciously made plant based. Smoothies are one of the easiest! If you want an indulgent smoothie to really blow your mind on vegan smoothies try this one : https://www.veggiesdontbite.com/salted-caramel-cashew-cacao-chunk-smoothie-the-silk-brand/
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
A fruity smoothie post, yay! Even with the spinach in there, it still came the most beautiful bright purple pink. And the non-fruity version sounds ridiculously coffee-shop good too! I haven't yet tried any of the one-ingredient protein powders, but I do like the versatility to just sneak them into any smoothie 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Natalie! The one ingredient is the way to go for me. I love it! I mean, how could you not when all that's in there is peas?!
Christine | Vermilion Roots
I'm considering adding a plant-based protein to my diet now so this post couldn't be more timely! Thanks for the suggestion.
veggiesdontbite
That's awesome to hear Christine! I definitely recommend this pea protein. It's such an easy add. You could put it in oatmeal or even bake with it too. Let me know if you try it!
Jenn
What a gorgeous color!!! And I love that the protein powder is ONE ingredient. You don't find that very often (or ever!). I also love that sound of that mesquite powder..I need that. I think it would be great in brownies too! Yum!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Jenn! I know, right?! ONE!!! It's the best and keeps me full which I need. The mesquite is SO good!!!
Becky Striepe
Oh cool! I haven't seen that pea protein in stores, but now I will keep an eye out.
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Becky!! It's my favorite and I love that it's only peas!