Adding a scoop of protein powder to your green smoothie makes it a perfect post-workout drink or a complete breakfast. I generally add a scoop to my morning smoothie to keep me full until lunchtime. Here are a couple of choices for protein add-ins including a vegan option.

WHEY PROTEIN

Whey protein is a favorite amongst the fitness community. Created as a by-product of cheese production, whey can boost recovery after a hard workout. It is also high in an amino acid called lecuine that is associated with muscle gain, weight loss, and body fat loss. Score!

With the huge number of companies selling and marketing whey powder, it is particularly important to focus on finding a quality product. Some brands of powder are 70-90% protein (good), while some are as low as 30% protein (bad). To find a good whey protein powder, make sure that “whey protein isolate” or “hydrolyzed whey protein isolate” is listed as the very first ingredient.

Additionally, I always look for whey protein that is both organic and grass-fed. Source Organic is a good brand.

VEGAN PROTEIN      

As someone who spent nearly a decade eating a vegan diet, I fully understand both the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle as well as the challenges of getting enough protein. Luckily, there are some awesome vegan protein powders on the market.

One scoop of vegan protein powder can be an awesome way to up the protein and calories of your green smoothie.   My favorite brands are Ka’Chava or Sprout Living EPIC. The Ka’Chava powder has the added benefit of digestive enzymes and probiotics.

YOGURT

Yogurt is a delicious way to add additional protein to your green smoothie. It has the added benefit of adding some thickness. The most important thing to remember when adding yogurt is that quality matters.

When I recommend adding yogurt, I am NOT recommending adding a carton of sugary Yoplait type yogurt. Instead, you should look for a high-protein, low-sugar, high-fat yogurt. I always make sure to buy an organic full-fat yogurt such as the Stonyfield brand.

Why do I recommend a full-fat yogurt? Full-fat yogurt is less-processed, and generally has less sugar and more protein than low-fat or no-fat versions. Additionally, the extra fat is more satiating meaning you’re likely to eat fewer calories throughout the day when you start your morning with a green smoothie with full-fat yogurt.

PEANUT OR ALMOND BUTTER

Although, it’s a bit harder to sneak in to a green smoothie, we have some great recipes in the book that include either peanut or almond butter. Just make sure to buy the kind with no sugar added. When I buy peanut butter, I look for a product with only 2 ingredients: peanuts and salt. That’s it.

This information is from my upcoming e-book, 100 Days of Green Smoothies: Lose Weight, Detox, and Feel Great!  Join our email list now to get updates, free recipes, and to be amongst the first fans to receive a copy of the book.

Note: Some of the link in this article are Amazon affiliate links, meaning that if you click them and then make a purchase, I get a small portion of the sale.  That said, you can rest assured that I only recommend products and brands that I use for my own family.