Get the family excited for back-to-school mornings this year with this Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast Smoothie. Though it tastes exactly like the delicious dessert, this healthy breakfast smoothie is dairy-free (no yogurt), low fat, and high in protein!
We’re back with another healthy green smoothie recipe, and this time, it tastes EXACTLY like everybody’s favorite summertime dessert, Strawberry Shortcake. Only in this strawberry shortcake smoothie, everything is vegan and gluten-free, so you can indulge without any of the guilt!
I figure it’s the perfect way to close out summer and get everyone excited about the school year. When those busy mornings come around and your house looks more like a chaotic fire drill gone wrong, with everyone scrambling to get dressed, finish their homework, pack their lunches, and make it to school/the office on time, this Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast Smoothie will save the day!
It’s quick and easy to make – just 5 ingredients and 2 minutes – full of fiber and nutrients from the flaxseed and fruit (strawberries and bananas for the win!), and bursting with plant-based protein thanks to the almond milk and protein powder.
I’m not usually a big fan of protein powders, which are often filled with artificial additives and tons of sugar, plus many aren’t certified Organic and often contain GMOs. In fact, if I use protein powder at all, I usually opt for collagen peptides from Vital Proteins, which are totally flavorless but incredibly nourishing to your skin, digestive tract, and joints.
However, sometimes I like the vanilla flavor a protein powder provides, particularly when I’m trying to replicate a dessert in my smoothies, like I’ve done here with strawberry shortcake. The best protein powder I’ve found for this is from my favorite workout duo, Tone it Up!
Related: The Best FREE Workout Videos on YouTube
Their Perfect Fit vanilla protein powder is delicious and super clean; the only ingredients are vegan, plant-based protein from pumpkin seeds and peas, plus organic vanilla, monkfruit extract, sea salt, and guar gum. It’s certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and delicious!
Admittedly, guar gum is a controversial ingredient. The thickener is actually made from real food (guar beans), but when it’s processed into a gum, the amount of soluble fiber drastically increases, making it difficult for some people to digest (think gas and abdominal discomfort (source). On the flip side, it’s been proven to lower blood glucose levels and reduce cholesterol.
So here’s how I see it: These kinds of additives have a cumulative effect in the body and so long as you don’t eat it every day and instead focus your diet on real, whole foods that are anti-inflammatory, a little guar gum every now and then won’t hurt you (unless you have an allergy, notice negative side effects immediately after eating, and/or suffer from digestive disorders already, like SIBO or IBS).
Of course, make sure you’re reading your labels as you may be unknowingly ingesting guar gum on a regular basis, which I wouldn’t recommend for anyone.
If you’ve ever had trouble getting your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, this smoothie recipe is the perfect antidote. It’s sweet and creamy, more like a milkshake than a health food, but it’s chockfull of nutrients (namely Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, protein, calcium, and iron).
Throw the ingredients in a blender and you’ll have breakfast the whole family will enjoy in less than two minutes flat. Happy Eating!
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 2 cups vanilla almond milk
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a large, high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Home Chef Tip: If you don't care to have a vegan smoothie, you can use regular milk in place of the almond milk.
We hope you enjoy this Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast Smoothie recipe from SoFabFood Contributor, Kate from Root + Revel, as much as we do. If you love this recipe, you can find more like it by visiting our Drinks Section. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and stop by our Google+ Community to see all of the amazing recipes our community members are sharing. Enjoy!
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