Healthy High-Protein Green Smoothie for Weight Loss
This is the best-tasting, healthy, high-protein green smoothie that supports your weight loss goals by increasing your protein intake with 24 grams of protein with almond milk, spinach, kale, apple, cottage cheese, almond butter, vanilla protein powder, and chia seeds.
This is the best-tasting healthy high-protein green smoothie that supports your weight loss goals by increasing your protein intake with 24 grams of protein per serving. It’s made with almond milk, spinach, kale, apple, cottage cheese, almond butter, vanilla protein powder, and chia seeds. This delicious smoothie is a healthy breakfast or post-workout snack to help build muscle mass. And, it’s a great way to enjoy the health benefits of a satisfying mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats with fresh fruit and leafy greens.
How Does This Green Smoothie Recipe Support Weight Loss?
This smoothie supports weight loss by combining high-protein ingredients like cottage cheese and protein powder with fiber-rich kale, spinach, and apple, which help keep you feeling full and satisfied longer. The addition of chia seeds and almond butter provides healthy fats that help curb cravings and promote a steady release of energy throughout the day. Plus, the smoothie is naturally sweetened with fruit, so there’s no need for added sugars, making it a delicious, nutritious way to fuel your body without extra calories. It’s the perfect go-to for a light meal or snack that keeps you on track with your weight loss goals!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- It is full of delicious flavor!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best green smoothie recipe:
Almond Milk: Substitute with oat milk, unsweetened coconut milk, skim milk, cashew milk, whole milk, or soy milk.
Kale and Spinach: You can use any combination of leafy greens including, kale, fresh baby spinach, and chard. You can also use green veggies, including broccoli. I like to use a boxed kale spinach mix.
Apple: this adds natural sweetness and fiber. You can use any variety of apples. You can also replace it with a banana, orange, peach, or other naturally sweet fruit.
Plain Cottage Cheese: You can use full-fat cottage cheese or non-fat cottage. Also, large curd or small curd. You can also replace it with Greek yogurt or silken tofu. Or a dairy-free cottage cheese for a vegan option.
Protein Powder: You can use any variety of protein powder you like including whey protein or a plant-based protein powder. I prefer a vanilla flavored protein powder. You can also substitute it with collagen powder, hemp protein, or 1/4 cup of rolled oats.
Almond Butter: You can omit or swap it with peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
Chia Seeds: These are an excellent source of fiber. You can omit them or replace with flaxseeds or hemp seeds.
How to Make My Delicious Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy cottage cheese protein shake. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Blender
Pour 3/4 cup of almond milk into your high-speed blender. Then add 1 cup of kale, 1 cup of spinach, 1/2 apple, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons of protein powder, 1 tablespoon of almond butter, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds for added fiber and nutrients.
Step 2: Blend the Ingredients
Blend all the ingredients on high until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps. Pour the smoothie into a glass, serve immediately, and enjoy your nutritious, high-protein green smoothie!
Helpful Recipe Notes
Texture Adjustment: If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add 1/2 cup almond milk or a few more ice cubes. For a thinner consistency, add an extra splash of almond milk.
Sweetness: Taste your smoothie before serving; if you prefer it sweeter, add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a few drops of stevia.
Meal Prep: To save time, portion out the ingredients (except the liquid) into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just add the contents to your blender with almond milk.
Delicious Healthy Breakfast Smoothie Serving Suggestions
- Add Frozen Fruit: Boost the flavor by adding a handful of frozen berries or a frozen banana to your smoothie. This will not only make it colder and creamier but also add natural sweetness and extra nutrients.
- Incorporate Fresh Ginger: For a zesty kick, grate some fresh ginger into your smoothie. Ginger complements the green ingredients and adds anti-inflammatory properties.
- Splash of Citrus: Enhance the bright, refreshing taste with a squeeze of lemon juice, lime juice, or orange juice. The citrus notes will elevate the tropical flavors and add a dose of vitamin C.
- Top with Crunchy Seeds: Sprinkle pumpkin seeds or flax seeds on top of your smoothie for added texture and nutrition. These seeds provide healthy fats, protein, and a satisfying crunch.
- Create a Tropical Green Protein Smoothie Bowl: Transform your smoothie into a nourishing bowl by thickening it with less liquid. Top with slices of frozen banana, a mix of frozen berries, a drizzle of lemon or lime juice, and a handful of seeds for a vibrant, nutrient-packed meal.
What is the Best Protein Powder to Use in Smoothies?
I get asked this question a lot so I’ve summarized my criteria for the best protein powders for smoothies. There are basically two categories of protein sources, including animal-based and plant-based.
Animal-based protein powders offer a complete amino acid profile, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids your body needs for building and repairing tissues. They are often digested more quickly than plant-based proteins, making them popular for post-workout recovery. Since I already eat eggs daily and try to minimize dairy in my diet, and beef protein is expensive, I don’t typically use these powders.
- Whey protein
- Casein protein
- Egg protein
- Beef protein
- Collagen protein
Plant-based protein powders are a great option for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. They are generally lower in cholesterol and saturated fat compared to animal-based proteins. While they may not contain all essential amino acids in the same proportions as animal-based proteins, combining different plant-based sources can help ensure a complete amino acid profile. I like to use pea, hemp, and nut protein powders.
- Pea protein
- Brown rice protein
- Hemp protein
- Soy protein
- Quinoa protein
- Chia protein
- Flaxseed protein
Now, let’s consider how the protein powder is sweetened. There are four main categories of sweeteners to choose from:
Artificial Sweeteners: These synthetic compounds offer intense sweetness with zero calories. Examples include aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium. These give me gas and I don’t believe they benefit our microbiome.
Sugar Alcohols: These natural sweeteners, such as erythritol and xylitol, provide a sweet taste with fewer calories than traditional sugars but may cause digestive issues in some people. These also give me gas and I don’t care for how over-processed they are.
Intense Sweeteners: Derived from natural sources like monkfruit and stevia, these sweeteners offer a high sweetness intensity without the calories or carbohydrates of traditional sugars. I feel fine when I eat these, but I don’t care for how hyper-sweet they are. I feel like they make my taste buds accustomed to an unnatural level of sweetness.
Traditional Sweeteners: Natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, cane sugar, and coconut sugar provide a classic sweetness and may offer additional nutritional benefits. These are my favorite sweeteners to use. I use moderation to minimize my daily intake of sugar.
The best sweetener for you depends on your personal preferences, dietary needs, and any health concerns. Experiment with different options to find your favorite!
Do you love smoothies? Check out more of my easy and nutritious breakfast smoothie recipes:
Healthy High-Protein Green Smoothie for Weight Loss
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1 cup kale leaves
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 1/2 apple
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons protein powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 4 ice cubes
Instructions
- Pour 3/4 cup of almond milk into your high-speed blender. Then add 1 cup of kale, 1 cup of spinach, 1/2 apple, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons of protein powder, 1 tablespoon of almond butter, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds for added fiber and nutrients.
- Blend all the ingredients on high until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps. Pour the smoothie into a glass, serve immediately, and enjoy your nutritious, high-protein green smoothie!
Video
I’m a huge smoothie fan, and this one did not dissapoint 😀
Thank you for the review! 🙂
I loved the flavor of this!
Thank you, Fran! 🙂
Soooo good! I love the apple. I haven’t tried that before.
I’m so excited to share this smoothie recipe with you! It is naturally sweet and full of protein!