Freezer Prep Green Smoothie Protein Shakes

You can do freezer prep green smoothie protein shakes and cut out the hassle every day of trying to prepare a healthy meal to lose weight and stay in shape.

Are Green Smoothies Healthy?

Green smoothies provide a powerful boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients without bogging down your digestive system.

Since you are eating natural, whole foods in the most optimum form for your digestion and nutrient absorption, you will have more energy to get things done and enjoy your day.

Ok, let’s start this year off right with one simple choice that can help you lose weight, or stay in shape. We have mentioned it a lot what good fans we are of protein, but before you go let’s get a few questions answered. Just scroll past the smoothie prep and we’ve answered all of your most asked questions about green smoothies and protein shakes, plus we’ve linked up to a few of our favorite shake and smoothie recipes.

Can Green Smoothies Help You Lose Weight?

Healthy, plant-based fats are good for you and can help you lose weight.

Keep the fat content low, however, as too much fat and fruit in the same green smoothie might cause gas and bloating.

Fat is also a dense source of calories.

Awhile back I mentioned on Instagram that we were busy doing smoothie prep and you all emailed or commented that you’d like a post on how we prep for our green smoothies, actually it’s our green smoothie protein shakes as we add protein. First up is the fruit. Please read Freeze Fruit Make Better Smoothies post on how to freeze fruit for smoothies.

We’ve found that berries can be a little more tart and watery, so I prefer to add a little banana or mango in just to help make the smoothie a little more creamy. In fact, I like a thicker, creamier shake anyway so it all depends on what you like.

Can Green Smoothies Cause Acid Reflux?

If your balance of digestive chemicals is out of whack, acid reflux may result.

Drinking or eating alkaline foods such as green vegetables can help restore the pH balance and prevent reflux.

So, drinking a green smoothie should not cause acid reflux.

Each baggie, which I do often reuse after a quick rinse and dry, gets filled with;

1 Handful of greens

1 1/2 Handfuls of Frozen Fruit

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 Scoop Protein powder

1-2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter Powder

There are three different powders we keep on hand to add.

Cade prefers chocolate protein while I only like vanilla. We both occasionally like a little peanut butter powder-PB2.

Each person must find a protein powder that works for them. We just discovered Burt’s Bees has started making protein, more on that later, but we generally use Optimum Nutrition, or Forza One.

Greens I prefer Baby Spinach or Baby Kale.

We also do add-ins like frozen avocado, carrots, almonds, chia seeds, and even oats.  This green smoothie has coconut/almond milk, orange juice, pineapple, mango, avocado, kale, and vanilla protein.

While this one is milk, blackberries, bananas, raspberries, chia seeds, spinach, almonds and vanilla protein.

Yes, even the protein and chia seeds get added to the bag. As long as the fruit it frozen first it wont turn the ingredients into a solid mass. In fact, the greens will be like shards of greens versus a soggy mess. I do not like the soggy strands of greens which is why I do it this way.

I love to top mine with a sprinkle of granola but you don’t have to do that.

Or go crazy and make one for you, one for the spouse, and then split them in your cups so you can have both. It’s like the frozen yogurt shop but healthier.

When you’re ready for a smoothie just add 6-8 ounces of liquid to a blender jar, we use Blendtec, along with the baggy ingredients and blend until smooth.

Sometimes I’ll even make a double batch and stick it in a Tupperware to scoop out on a busy morning. While I’m getting the kids their breakfast it thaws just enough to be like a fresh smoothie again. I often eat it in a bowl with a little granola. It’s fantastic, and you must make that granola if you haven’t already.

In the recipe below we’ve added all of the ingredients we like to keep on hand.

Cade’s Favorite Combos

Milk-Chocolate Protein- Bananas- Peanut Butter Powder- Oats

Milk-Mango-Spinach/Kale-Vanilla Protein Powder-Chia Seeds

Milk-Chia Seeds-Raspberries-Chocolate Protein-Peanut Butter Powder

Carrian’s Favorite Combos

Milk-Orange Juice-Mango-Bananas-1/2 Mini Carrot-Vanilla Protein-Spinach-Chia Seeds

Milk-Bananas-Vanilla Protein-PB2 (Peanut butter powder)- Spinach or Kale or Both-Chia Seeds

Milk-Bananas-Raspberries-Vanilla Protein-Greens-Chia Seeds-Almonds

If you want a delicious smoothie packed with veggies and protein, try this post-run berry protein smoothie!

Freezer Prep Green Smoothie Protein Shakes

Recommended Products

Almond Joy Protein Shake

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Coldbuster Green Smoothie

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Pineapple Orange Banana Green Smoothie

The orange in this smoothie will completely change your mood. Did you know citrus can do that?

Raspberry Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

I love the creamy coconut, raspberry combo. 

Pina Colada Protein Shake

It’s like a pina colada, but good for you! 

What should you eat to lose weight, build muscle, or maintain weight and muscle?

Protein. Protein is the answer for all of it. Protein will not make you gain weight, so just kick that lie to the curb that you’ll get fat if you drink protein. Your muscle needs protein to stay fit, and protein helps you stay full which will cut out the need for snacking and unhealthy choices.

Why Drink Protein?

I used to hate protein shakes and green smoothies, but Cade taught me that it’s all about finding a protein you like and ingredients you love. The protein hides when you get a good brand so you wont have that chalky taste.

 

When Should I Use Protein?

After a workout, a meal or even a small smoothie for a snack can help to build muscle  and keep you full longer in a healthy way.

What are the Health Benefits of Green Smoothies

Ok, let’s switch gears and talk about why you need to drink green smoothies. And I should clarify, we aren’t going to switch gears, I’m just going to combine the two. Cade and I don’t think that drinking just a green smoothie or protein shake is sufficient. We think there is a better option.

1. Getting in your daily amounts of fruits and vegetables (Particularly Greens) which helps the body functions to operate properly.

2.  Easy Digestibility and Nutrient Assimilation. Anything that’s easier for your body to digest is better for your body. Processed foods tend to stay in your body longer and the best way that I learned it was, think of a shelf life of a product and then imagine it’s going to take that long for your body to digest it and work it off. So fresh ingredients will be used by your body, digested and burned off versus building up and sticking to you like processed foods. Hello Twinkies. A long shelf life and a long time on your belly.

3.  Increased consumption of antioxidants which are are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals may possibly play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases so anything to protect against them should be in your daily diet.

5.  Increased Energy which if nothing else sells you it should be that. Hello tired moms everywhere!! And I’ve been drinking these smoothies for long enough I can definitely say that it really does make a difference in my day.

6. Better Focus. I don’t know about you but somedays I feel like I’m in a fog trying to get things done. Getting in protein, greens and fresh fruits helps me feel away on focus on the tasks surrounding me.

7. Increased Fiber which helps with digestion and helps to move stool through your digestive tract and colon. In fact, it helps to prevent colon cancer as it keeps your colon clean and healthy.  According to the Mayo Clinic, “Soluble fiber dissolves with water and creates a gel-like substance that helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

8. Clearer Skin and a healthy glow. We’ve known for decades that fresh fruits and vegetables help pores to stay clean, open, and skin to be rejuvenated and fresh.

Green smoothies are a really great way, in fact my personal favorite way to get in essential vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants

How Do I Make A Green Smoothie?

Pick your favorite greens, add a liquid like coconut milk, almond milk, regular milk or even orange juice and blend it with your favorite, frozen fruits!