Strawberry Kiwi Protein Smoothie

This strawberry kiwi protein smoothie is tropical berry goodness in a glass and made without any banana—it has 29 grams of protein and requires just 5 simple ingredients. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• Has 29 grams protein
• High in antioxidants
• Packed with vitamin C

A delightful combination, this strawberry kiwi protein smoothie is full of sweet tropical taste! Enjoy it as breakfast or as a high protein post-workout snack any time of the day. It’s made without any bananas, perfect for kiwi and berry lovers.

Kiwis and strawberries are both excellent sources of vitamin C. This nutrient is needed for a strong immune system, as well as healthy skin. These fruits are also full of gut-healthy fibre, anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radical cell damage that can lead to diseases over time.

Incorporating healthy foods like fruits, berries, nuts and seeds is a great habit for lowering oxidative stress and maintaining a healthy body.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this strawberry kiwi protein smoothie.

Hemp seeds: Adds to the creamy consistency of the smoothie along with some extra protein.

Protein powder: Any favourite vanilla vegan protein powder. Use a sweetened type to offset any tartness from the berries.

Kiwi: Wash ripe kiwis and cut in half. Scoop the flesh out of the skins and into the blender using a spoon. Alternatively, peel the kiwi skins and roughly chop the fruit into chunks.

Frozen strawberries: The ingredients that will create the cold, thick base of the smoothie.

Oat milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Try an alternative plant milk

This recipe uses oat milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond or cashew! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Make it without protein powder

For a protein powder free version use 3-4 tablespoons of hemp seeds instead. Another option is to add 1 cup of vegan greek yogurt, either vanilla or plain flavoured.

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your strawberry kiwi protein smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

Can I use frozen kiwi instead of fresh?

Yes, this recipe uses fresh kiwis because they are easier to find than pre-frozen kiwi chunks but frozen kiwis work perfectly as well. Using frozen kiwis will result in a colder, slightly thicker smoothie.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

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