Protein Smoothie Without Protein Powder

Protein powder is an easy way to add protein to your smoothies, but it’s not one of the healthiest ways to do so.

The good news is, that you can still make a high-protein smoothie without the need for protein powder!

Today, I am going to share my best protein smoothie without protein powder!

Print

 

Reasons To Replace Protein Powders In Smoothies And Shakes

There are several reasons why a person may choose to replace protein powders.

Aside from natural sources being healthier and cleaner, there are other reasons.

Some of them include:

1. Dietary Restrictions: People with dietary restrictions or allergies may need to find substitutions for protein powder. Those with lactose intolerance or allergies will need to avoid whey or casein protein powders, which are derived from milk.
2. Vegan or Plant-Based Diet: Those following a vegan or plant-based diet need alternatives to animal-based protein powders. There are plant-based alternatives, but fresher sources are often preferable.
3. Whole Food Approach: Some people prefer a whole food approach to nutrition and, therefore avoid processed protein powders. Instead, they favor whole food sources of protein, such as Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or legumes.
4. Cost Considerations: Protein powders can be relatively expensive. Those on a tight budget may find it more cost-effective to use whole foods as protein sources in their smoothies.
5. Taste and Texture: Protein powders often have a chalky or gritty texture. Using whole food sources of protein can result in a more enjoyable texture and natural taste.

One of the final reasons is the possible presence of heavy metals in protein powders. 

There have been many studies conducted on protein powder and the presence of toxins and heavy metals in them.

Benefits Of This No Protein Powder Smoothie

This no-protein powder smoothie is totally vegan-friendly and packed full of natural ingredients.

Some of the main benefits of this smoothie include:

1. 1. Natural Nutrients: Using whole food sources in your protein smoothie provides a natural and unprocessed way to add essential nutrients to your diet.
   2. Customizable: Making a protein smoothie without powder allows you to tailor ingredients to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
   3. Cost-Effective: Whole foods are often more budget-friendly compared to expensive protein powder supplements.
   4. No Additives: Avoiding protein powder means avoiding potential additives, fillers, and artificial ingredients.
   5. Fiber Boost: Whole food sources of protein often come with added fiber, enhancing digestive health.
   6. Fresh Flavor: Whole foods create a fresh and vibrant flavor profile for smoothies. This makes them taste better.

The Best Smoothie Ingredients With Protein:

If not using protein powder, how could you add protein to your smoothies?

There are so many ingredients you can use in your protein smoothies that naturally contain protein, and are also good for you. 

Some of these include:

1. 1. • Nuts / Nut Butters.
      • Seeds (e.g. chia seeds, linseeds, hemp seeds).
      • Yogurt.
      • Dark Chocolate.
      • Oats.
      • Spinach.
      • Dates.
      • Legumes.
      • Tofu.

And the list goes on. All of these ingredients work well in smoothies too. 

Optional Smoothie Variations

There are many variations of this smoothie recipe you could try.

You can change some of the ingredients, which will help you customize this drink to suit your preferences.

Also, you may not have some of the ingredients needed for this specific smoothie recipe, so there are ways of still making it, with the ingredients you have.

Here are some of the options:

1. 1. • For an even higher protein smoothie, you can add silken tofu as an addition to the required ingredients.
      • Instead of hemp seeds, you can use chia seeds or flaxseeds, which are more widely used in smoothies.
      • Instead of mango, you can use frozen pineapple, pineapple, or 1 small whole avocado, for a more tropical-tasting smoothie.
      • If you don’t like chocolate, simply do not add cocoa powder, instead, you can either add more oats or add instant coffee.
      • The almond butter can easily be replaced with any other nut butter you have or like. Examples include cashew butter or peanut butter.

1.  

Smoothie FAQs:

I spent quite some time developing this protein smoothie without protein powder.

It was challenging because I wanted to make the smoothie vegan-friendly too.

I shared the recipe to my YouTube channel and gathered feedback from the community which helped me perfect the recipe.

Some of the community members had questions regarding the recipe which could be helpful to you.

Some of these popular questions included:

Are Smoothies Without Protein Powder Healthy?

Yes, in fact smoothies made without protein powder can be healthier than ones made with powder. Protein powders are heavily processed products, some even contain harmful compounds such as heavy metals.

Can I Add Yogurt To The Smoothie?

You certainly can, but this means the smoothie will no longer be suitable for vegans. Adding yogurt can make the smoothie creamier and also add more protein to it.

Is This Smoothie Good For Weight Loss?

I have not personally tested the smoothie intentionally for weight-loss purposes. However, if used as a meal replacement within a calorie restricted diet, the smoothie may be suitable for weight loss.

I Am Intolerant To Oats, What Can I Use Instead?

You can substitute the oats for chia seeds, sunflower seeds or a handful of mixed nuts of choice.

More Protein Smoothies & Shakes Recipes

1. 1. • Vegan Protein Shake (No Protein Powder).
      • Pea Smoothie With Pea Protein.
      • No Fruit Smoothie (High protein).
      • Red Bean Smoothie
      • Protein Smoothie With Hemp Seeds