I am not a huge fan of eating a heavy breakfast during the week. I wake up early and am definitely the type of person that loves to get the day start right away, so I like to keep things light. Smoothies are my favorite way to get the protein and nutrients that I need first thing in the morning.
Although I do love a wide variety of smoothies, sometimes you just wake up craving something specific and this is the smoothie I make when I wake up feeling more like a milkshake than a bowl of fruit.
Let’s get started…
In your blender, combine 1/2 cup of greek yogurt (plain or vanilla), a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 – 1 1/2 cups of your milk of choice and a cup of chilled coffee.
This is a really good use for any leftover morning coffee you may have on hand. If you do not use a drip coffee maker, brew yourself a cup and let it chill in your refrigerator until it is time to make your smoothie.
Let’s talk about the value of the ingredients in this smoothie…
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- Protein – this is a protein smoothie, so let’s start with how much protein it can contain. Most greek yogurts contain 12 grams of protein per 1/2 cup, 1 cup of whole milk contains 8 grams of protein and my protein of choice contains 30 grams of protein per serving. So, this smoothie will come in at right around 50 grams of protein! So whether you drink it all at once or divide it into 2 servings, this smoothie is a great source of protein.
- Nutrients – greek yogurt is a great source of calcium, probiotics and vitamin B12 and whole milk contains calcium, vitamin D and loads of minerals. Many protein powders contain amino acids our bodies need along with a wide variety of added supplements. A protein powder that contains beneficial ingredients and taste good enough that you will be excited to use it consistently is something we should all have in our pantry.
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I usually use vanilla greek yogurt and unsweetened vanilla almond milk in my smoothie, so everything in this smoothie is something I enjoy flavor wise already. If you prefer your smoothie to be a little more sweet, feel free to add a drizzle of honey or agave into the blender before you finish it off.
This vanilla coffee protein smoothie is creamy and delicious and although it feels like you are sipping on a milkshake, this smoothie is full of healthy benefits. It is definitely a smart way to start your day.
Vanilla Coffee Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup of brewed coffee, chilled
- 1/2 cup of greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
- 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- agave of honey, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Place everything into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add a drizzle of honey or agave if additional sweetness is desired.
- Chill leftovers.
