Do you want to start the day off in fat-burning mode? Even if you don’t have time to cook up a nutritious fiber and protein-packed breakfast, you can rev up your metabolism with a protein smoothie. Jamie Maitland, a certified holistic nutritionist, founder of The Office Health, and author of The 21 Day Reset Cookbook, shares five of her go-to smoothie recipes with Body Network.
Cold Brew Coffee Protein Smoothie
“My signature Cold Brew Coffee Protein Smoothie is absolutely delicious and energizing,” explains Maitland. “The Maca Root can help boost your metabolism, and this is a super convenient way to get 50g of protein!”
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ice
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/4 cup cold brew coffee
- 1/2 tbsp basil seeds (great for additional fiber)
- 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder (I use my own brand of grass-fed whey protein by The Office Health)
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened Lovebird cereal
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth; add more liquid if needed.
Creamy Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
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“Don’t knock it until you try it,” Maitland says about her Creamy Chocolate Avocado Smoothie. “Avocados are one of the healthiest foods on the planet and are high in monounsaturated fats, which can increase fat burning and help scorch calories after eating.”
Ingredients:
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated allulose
- 1-2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder @theoffichealth
- 1/2 cup ice
Directions:
- Peel the avocado, discard pit then blend all the ingredients until completely smooth. Add more liquid if needed.
- Garnish with cocoa nibs, crushed pistachios, and a sprinkle of flake sea salt and cinnamon.
Year Round Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie
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You don’t have to wait until pumpkin spice season to enjoy the Year Round Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie. “This recipe was actually created by my momager Jan Maitland and is a favorite of Cincinnati Bengal and 2x Super Bowl champion Ted Karras. Who says you can only drink pumpkin flavors in the fall,” says Maitland.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1/2 cup nut milk of choice
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup unsweetened Lovebird cereal
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp allulose
- 1-2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender, add more liquid if needed—and blend well.
- Garnish with finely chopped pecans, flake sea salt, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice!
“Biscoff” Protein Smoothie
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“Instead of peanut butter or real Biscoff, we opt for tiger nut butter,” says Maitland. “This is actually a tuber, not a nut, and offers a delicious, sweet, nutty flavor. Tiger nuts are naturally gluten-free and lectin-free, and overall, they are a better choice for the health of your gut!”
Ingredients:
- Half cup ice
- 1 scoop vanilla whey Protein powder
- 1/2 cup nut milk of choice
- 1/3 cup cold espresso
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tbsp liquid allulose
- 1 tbsp Carob tiger nut butter
- Dash of flake sea salt
- Dash of cinnamon
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth; add more liquid if needed.
Vanilla Chai Protein Smoothie
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“Here is a great way to enjoy your favorite Chai beverage but with extra added protein,” says Maitland.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 cup brewed chai tea (cooled)
- 1/2 cup nut milk of choice
- 1 tbsp basil seeds
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 2 tsp liquid allulose
- Dash of cinnamon or cardamom
- 1/2 cup ice
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender, blend well until smooth and enjoy!
Why Protein Is Essential, Per Science
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Why should you consume protein in the morning? According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW) but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.
RELATED: I Lost 22 Pounds in 3 Months With These 7 Game-Changing Tips That Transformed My Body
How Much Protein Do You Need
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The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is only 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. However, this is the bare minimum to avoid getting sick. To determine your daily protein intake, multiply your weight by 0.36 pounds or use this online protein calculator.
How Much Protein You Need to Lose Weight
However, if you want to lose weight, most experts recommend consuming much more than the RDA. Aim for 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of your goal weight per day, dividing it up between meals. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.
