This is my go-to breakfast. It keeps me going for hours and keeps my energy steady through the morning.
It's thick, creamy and slightly caramel-y, and it reminds me of the avocado drink you get in Morocco, made with avocado, condensed milk and almonds. My version keeps the creaminess and swaps the sugar for protein, fat and fibre. Together they slow down how quickly the sugar from a meal reaches your blood, so you get steady energy instead of a spike and a crash.
The recipe is below. Tick off the ingredients as you go, and switch between metric and US cups.
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breakfast · smoothie
protein-packed breakfast smoothie
Thick, creamy and slightly caramel-y, with enough protein, fat and fibre to keep you full for hours.
ingredients
- 1 small avocado (healthy fats and fibre that keep you full)
- 240 ml unsweetened soy milk (extra plant protein and creaminess, with almost no sugar; organic, such as Sojade, works well)
- 1 scoop (about 30 g) vanilla protein powder (plant or animal based; the vanilla adds sweetness, so no sugar needed)
- 15 to 30 g tahini (healthy fats and a little calcium)
- 3 g maca powder (a Peruvian root traditionally used for energy, with a malty, caramel flavour)
- about 15 g almonds and/or walnuts (more healthy fats, magnesium and staying power)
- 3 to 4 ice cubes
- optional: a few drops of almond extract (for extra depth)
- optional: 10 g ground flaxseed (omega-3 fats and extra fibre)
method
- Put the avocado, milk, protein powder, tahini, maca and nuts in a high-speed blender.
- Add the ice and any extras (almond extract, flaxseed).
- Blend on high for at least a minute, until completely smooth.
- Pour into a glass and drink straight away, while it's thick and cold.
notes
Any unsweetened plant milk works. If it's too thick, add a splash more milk and blend again. Training that day, or need more carbs? Add half a banana for natural sweetness.
nutrition
Rough estimate for the base recipe with soy milk, one scoop of protein and the nuts, without the optional extras. It varies with the brands you use.
