June 2021 • A Sweet Pea Chef

A healthy breakfast or filling post-workout snack, this healthy green protein smoothie has all the nutrients you need! This post will show you how to make it. And let me just say, your body will LOVE it! It took me quite a while to finally try adding spinach to one of my morning protein shakes. I mean, I love spinach and all...but...in my smoothie??? Then, on a wild and crazy whim, I decided to just go for it. And it was super good! For this green protein smoothie, I use a frozen banana, peanut butter (because yum!), coconut milk, and fresh baby spinach along with the protein powder. The color turns a pretty green so you can start feeling all nature goddess-like, if you're into that sort of thing. And if you prefer, you can swap or mix the spinach portion with fresh, raw kale. This tasty smoothie will leave you feeling satisfied, refreshed, rejuvenated, and nourished for sure. Which is pretty much anything you can ask for in a protein smoothie. Are Protein Smoothies Good For You? Yes! Protein smoothies are actually an easy and fuss-free way to get a nutrient-packed meal that you can easily transport. They have pretty much everything in it; protein, healthy fats, veggies and fruits. Adding protein power into the mix can also give you a metabolism boost, reduce your hunger pangs and help you lose body fat while also supporting your muscle gain. Is It Okay To Drink A Green Protein Smoothie Everyday? Take a page from my book and drink this green smoothie everyday! It's totally okay and a smart choice. Smoothies are perfect for breakfast or as a post-workout snack. On some occasions I even have them for lunch! So if you struggle to get your daily recommended serving of fruits and veggies, having a green smoothie is the perfect way to fix that. *But of course remember that a green smoothie should only replace a single meal. Make sure your diet stays balanced with healthy-fats, whole grains, lean protein and some greens too. What Happens To Your Body When You Drink a Green Smoothie? Green smoothies are jam-packed with fiber which has been linked to lowering cholesterol, keeps you full for a long period and also regulates your body’s cleaning processes. This green smoothie will also get things moving and improve your digestion. When I add green smoothies to my diet, I have better focus. Which is so appreciated. This recipe is rich in B-vitamins which are linked to better concentration and attention. So that makes sense! And you know what, my mood also improves when I drink this smoothie (not that I’m cranky all the time but you get what I mean!). Green veggies contain folic acid which is known to be a natural antidepressant. Are Green Smoothies Good For Weight Loss? YES! Green smoothies are generally good for weight loss!! Not only can they replace an entire meal but they also have multiple health benefits like keeping you full and aiding in digestion. When I started my fitness journey it was such a STRUGGLE to get my daily dose of fruits and veggies. These green smoothies are a surefire way to get them easily. But if you want to really maximize the benefits, make sure that you don’t add anything that’s going to be counterproductive. Nix any added sugar or sugary juices. Check out this blog post to learn 12 foods that have shockingly more sugar than you think! (Juice is one of them). What’s In This Green Protein Smoothie? This green smoothie is the best combo of creaminess and nuttiness that you’ll ever have! But what exactly is in it? Unsweetened Coconut Milk: The key player behind making this smoothie rich and creamy, unsweetened coconut milk is great because it's been shown to lower "bad” cholesterol levels while increasing "good” cholesterol. Frozen Banana: They’re not exactly a MUST, but I personally find that adding some frozen banana to my green protein smoothie has a satiating effect compared to not having any. Also adding to a thick and creamy texture, bananas are a good source of potassium. Peanut Butter: Plant-based fat like nut butters can make your smoothies extra filling. The downside is it can bump up the calorie count so I suggest sticking to a tablespoon only. Fresh Baby Spinach: With a light and delicate flavor, I've come to absolutely love baby spinach. It really blends so nicely into your green protein smoothie. Vanilla Protein Powder: Before I started adding some protein powder into my smoothies, I would get hungry soon after. When you get protein powder into the mix, you'll stay satiated and energized way longer. As you all know, vanilla protein powder is my absolute fave. It’s super versatile and can work well with pretty much anything! My absolute fave protein powder is cleanish plant-based protein because it is delicious, clean protein without any of the junk. I can’t tell you enough how amazing my body feels whenever I drink these green protein smoothies. I’m not kidding! And if there’s any ingredient that you prefer to use, go for it. Everything is customizable. On some days where I want some extra fiber in it, I would add either chia seeds or flax seeds. At the end of the day you know what nutrients you need more of, so feel free to tweak it into something that’s perfect for YOUR body. More Healthy Protein Smoothies: If you'd like more protein shakes and smoothie recipes, check out the following: Strawberry Protein Shake Almond Butter, Coffee, And Chocolate Shake Orange Protein Shake Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Shake Banana Protein Shake Blueberry Shake Peach Protein Shake This post contains affiliate links to products I use regularly and highly recommend. Green Protein Smoothie This Green Protein Smoothie is healthy, fast, and delicious. 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk1 banana (frozen)1 tbsp peanut butter1½ cups fresh baby spinach (lightly packed)1 scoop protein powder (This is my fave)Ice (as needed) Starting with the unsweetened coconut milk, place all the ingredients into a blender. You could also use almond or rice milk, if you preferred.Blend until fully pureed. This may take a little extra time to get all the spinach leaves fully broken down.Add more ice cubes until the desired consistency is met.If it happens to get too thick, you can add some more coconut milk, little by little. Breakfast, DrinksEasygreen protein, green protein shake, green protein smoothie