BANANA PEANUT BUTTER SMOOTHIE

Dates and bananas are both loaded with potassium and fibre, and the peanut butter adds a hit of protein which is important to include in any meal.  If you opt for soy milk (or regular milk), both will contain additional protein – almond milk typically doesn’t contain significant protein.

How Much Protein do you Need?

As far as protein needs are concerned, technically speaking (according to the RDA, which outlines the basic or minimum amount of protein you need in a day), it is 0.86g/kg.  However, much debate exists in the literature, with experts proposing that anywhere between 15-25% of your daily calories may be a more acceptable range. Of course this doesn’t account for individual differences (age, sex, activity level any other health conditions).

How to Add Extra Protein to Smoothies

Should you wish to increase the protein even more, depending on your needs, you can feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder to the blender with the other ingredients.  Generally speaking, I try to aim for around 20 grams of protein per meal (for an adult).  I don’t add protein powder to our kids smoothies, and rarely use it myself as I find that it’s easy to get enough protein when you’re eating a balanced diet and include a protein source in every meal.

Other good sources of protein to add to smoothies include:

• Hemp hearts
• Nut butters (natural)
• Seed butters (tahini, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed)
• Chia seeds
• Soft tofu
• Soy milk (or regular cow’s milk)

The Best Smoothie Recipes

If you’re looking for more smoothie inspiration beyond this Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie try this Cinnamon Roll Smoothie, our ‘famous’ Green Smoothie, this Apple Crisp Smoothie or for something different, this London Fog Smoothie!