Foodie Friday! - Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

With the new year and trying to return to healthier eating, I have resumed my morning smoothies. I am supposed  to get 60 grams of protein a day, so this is a great way to get a jump start on my protein. 

Here's the recipe:

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

3 ounces pineapple juice

1/2 frozen banana

3 frozen strawberries

1 individual serving cup of lite vanilla yogurt

1 scoop vanilla protein powder 

approximately 1/4 cup milk

Put all ingredients in large blending cup.  (I have the JCP version of the Magic Bullet and use the large glass, not the small.)  Blend until frozen fruit is broken up.  This makes a nice frothy smoothie. 

I just found a new brand of protein power - Isopure whey isolate.  Isolate is a purer form of protein powder and is preferred over a blended whey protein.  This one has 25 grams of protein per scoop and I put in 1-1/2 scoops of protein powder  - so for me the smoothie  ends up with about 45 grams of protein with the yogurt included, but will also up the calories a bit. 

With 1 scoop of protein powder the smoothie has about 300 calories.  It is a great way to get a dairy serving, fruit, and great protein in one meal!

I have varied this and used other juices, added blueberries, etc., but the pineapple juice is my favorite  as are the fruits listed.  I have also used both soy milk and skim milk.

Have a Happy and Healthy 2013!