This Strawberries 'n' Cream Smoothie Packs a Protein Punch

By Dominique Michelle Astorino
POPSUGAR Photography | Dominique Astorino
POPSUGAR Photography | Dominique Astorino

Not a fan of protein powder? No worries — this strawberries 'n' cream protein smoothie packs a whopping 34 grams of protein, thanks to the powerhouse ingredient — cottage cheese. With chia seeds and whole fruit, you'll gain tons of nutritional benefits: magnesium; fiber; vitamins C, B, and D; calcium; iron; potassium . . . the list goes on!

And if you're craving a strawberry milkshake, swap the ice cream drink for one of these — it's cool, creamy, and fruity with tons of nutrition from whole ingredients. Plus, a restaurant's strawberry milkshake can run you upwards of 100 grams of sugar — a recipe for a sugar crash later on. But the protein in this smoothie delivers steady energy and lasting fullness, a much better option.

POPSUGAR Photography | Dominique Astorino

Strawberries 'N' Cream Protein Smoothie

Cook Time5 minutes
Yield1 serving
Calories300

Dominique Astorino, POPSUGAR Fitness

INGREDIENTS

    8 frozen strawberries 1/2 frozen banana 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat optional) 1/4 cup vanilla unsweetened coconut milk 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon honey 2 teaspoons chia seeds

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. First, add cottage cheese, coconut milk (or substitute), honey, and vanilla extract to a blender. This is to ensure the honey is smoothly blended, and doesn't harden from the frozen fruit.

    2. Once the "cream" base has been created, add in the frozen fruit, and blend on high until smooth. Add additional coconut milk (or substitute) to thin it out, if necessary.

    3. Add chia seeds last, either stirring or blending in, depending on preference. Enjoy immediately for a frosty breakfast treat, snack, post-workout shake, or dessert.

    Notes

    This recipe uses So Delicious unsweetened vanilla coconut milk. Substitute dairy, almond milk, or any plant-based milk alternative to adjust based on dietary and taste preferences.