Her Hormone Health

Protein smoothie breakfasts are something I’ve been experimenting with recently as part of making a few simple changes to how I start my day.

One of my main goals has been to increase my protein intake, particularly at breakfast, while cutting back on added sugar. I also wanted something that would keep me satisfied without feeling too heavy first thing in the morning.

I mentioned in my High-Protein Breakfast for Women Over 40 article that I was going to experiment with a protein smoothie, and this is the version I’ve settled on.

The banana gives it enough natural sweetness that I don’t need to add honey or maple syrup, while the avocado, almond butter and flaxseed make it thick and creamy. With chocolate protein and cacao, it also tastes much more indulgent than you might expect from a breakfast smoothie.

Best of all, it takes just a few minutes to make and gives me around 23-24g of protein to start the day.

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Choosing a Good Quality Protein Powder

The protein powder you choose is worth paying attention to, as the ingredients can vary considerably between products. I always check the label and look for a good-quality protein with a simple ingredient list, without added sugars or sweeteners where possible.

Added sugars and sweeteners can crop up in all sorts of everyday foods and drinks, and it’s easy for them to add up across the day without really noticing. One of the reasons I started making this smoothie was to increase my protein intake while reducing the amount of added sugar in my breakfast, so it makes sense to me to choose a protein powder that supports that.

For this recipe I use Planet Paleo Chocolate Bone Broth Protein. I like the simple ingredients and it works really well with the cacao, banana, cinnamon and vanilla to give the smoothie its chocolate flavour.

You don’t have to use the same protein powder, though. If you’re vegan or prefer a plant-based option, there are also some good unsweetened alternatives available. Form Pureblend is one option I’ve found, made from organic pea, brown rice and pumpkin seed protein, with no added flavourings or sweeteners. I actually like using an unflavoured vegan protein like this for baking or adding to things like chia pudding, as it mixes in easily without changing the flavour too much. It would work well in this smoothie too – you may just want to add a little extra cacao or vanilla to taste.

Why I Add Avocado, Flaxseed and Almond Butter

I wanted this protein smoothie to be more than simply protein powder blended with milk and fruit. I wanted something that would keep me satisfied through the morning while still feeling quite light and easy to have first thing.

The avocado makes a big difference to the texture. It creates a really thick, creamy smoothie without needing yoghurt, and its flavour is barely noticeable once everything is blended with the chocolate, banana and cacao.

I add ground flaxseed for extra fibre, while the almond butter adds more creaminess and a lovely subtle nutty flavour. Together with the banana and avocado, they make the smoothie feel much more like a proper breakfast rather than just a protein shake.

The cacao, cinnamon and vanilla are really there for flavour. They make it rich and chocolatey, and I find the ripe banana provides enough sweetness that I don’t need to add honey, maple syrup or any other added sugar.

Making This Protein Smoothie Your Own

One of the things I like about this protein smoothie is how easy it is to change depending on what you have in the kitchen.

You can swap the almond butter for peanut butter if you want a stronger nutty flavour, or use peanut butter powder for a lighter alternative that still gives you that peanut flavour.

I’ve also made it with frozen blueberries when I’ve run out of banana, which works really well. It’s not quite as naturally sweet and has a slightly sharper flavour, but I really enjoyed it. Strawberries would be another easy fruit swap, and frozen fruit has the added benefit of making the smoothie lovely and cold and thick.

You can also blend in a handful of fresh or frozen spinach or kale if you want to add some extra vegetables and fibre. With the chocolate, cacao and fruit in the smoothie, it’s an easy way to add some greens without making them the main flavour.

If you’re using an unflavoured protein powder, simply adjust the cacao, cinnamon or vanilla to taste. And if your smoothie ends up thicker than you like, add a splash more almond milk or water until it’s the consistency you prefer.

More Healthy Breakfast Ideas

If you’re looking for other simple breakfast ideas, I have plenty of options that are gluten-free and dairy-free. My Carrot Cake Baked Oats are another filling make-ahead breakfast, while my Buckwheat Waffles are great when you have a little more time.

You can also read my High-Protein Breakfast for Women Over 40 article, where I explain why I’ve been paying more attention to protein at breakfast and some of the changes I’ve been experimenting with.