Sip your way to a healthier you with this delicious Banana Berry Smoothie. It’s dairy-free, packed with a good source of fiber, and contains the perfect balance of quality protein, carbs, and healthy fats—making for a tasty and nourishing breakfast or snack.
Smoothies, when made right, can make for a fabulous breakfast option!
Recently I have been enjoying a smoothie every day as a satisfying breakfast! Smoothies are quick and easy to make, and they are an easy way to get in an array of nutrients all at once. Banana Berry Smoothie has made it’s way into my rotation of smoothies, along with our Go-to Green Smoothie and Super Sunrise Smoothie. These smoothies made with just a few wholesome ingredients are low in sugar, high in protein, and take all of a few minutes to make. With being a new mom, I’m all for fast and easy meals that taste good and are satisfying. Banana Berry Smoothie fits the bill on all accounts!
Banana Berry Smoothie Ingredients:
- Frozen Banana – I almost always add about a 1/2 of a small frozen banana to my smoothie. I like the sweetness and creaminess it adds. For a lower sugar option you could add a 1/2 of a green apple.
- Frozen Mixed Berries – Mixed berries are rich in antioxidants, high in fiber, and add that fruity flavor we love.
- Spinach (optional) – If you wish add a handful of nutritious greens. It will change the color of the smoothie a bit but won’t change the taste, plus it will add a nice boost of nutrients.
- Nut Butter – A source of healthy fats (plus it enhances the creaminess). Use whatever nut or seed butter you would like.
- Avocado – A great way to sneak in fiber and healthy fats.
- Chia Seeds – Hello fiber!! You could also add flax-seed or omit this all together.
- Protein powder of choice or Greek yogurt – Feel free to add your favorite protein powder. I personally like to add a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt to my smoothies and a scoop of collagen peptides. For dairy-free, use collagen or a plant-based protein powder. For vegan, use a plant-based protein powder.
- Milk of choice – You’ll need some kind of liquid to blend it all together. Use what you have on hand.
This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Why Collagen Peptides?
As mentioned above, you can add any protein powder of choice. I personally like to add collagen and I wanted to explain why (and what the health benefits are). So before we get to the Banana Berry Smoothie recipe, here are a few benefits of the amino-acids found in collagen and why one might want to add this supplement to their diet.
The short chain amino acids found in collagen peptides are easy to digest, highly-bioavailable (meaning your body can make full use of them), and they’re a rich source of important amino acids such as glycine, proline, and glutamine. These amino acids are necessary for detoxification, immune function, healthy digestion, bone health, skin health as well as growth and repair of tissue, tendons, joints and muscles.
- Promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails. Collagen is a building block for the largest organ of the body, your skin. As we age collagen production naturally decreases, causing wrinkles and thinning skin. Supplementing with collagen daily can improve skin hydration, fine lines, and overall appearance of skin. It also supports the growth of hair and nails.
- Maintains a healthy gut barrier and supports good digestion. Glutamine and glycine, two amino acids abundant in collagen, are essential for healthy digestion. Glutamine is the preferred fuel for cellular reproduction in the gut, and it supports the healing and growth of new cells and tissues that make up the intestinal tract. Glycine contributes to the production of bile salts which help to digest fat and promote adequate gastric secretion in the stomach, necessary for the breakdown of food.
- Enhances the immune system. Glutamine, found in collagen, is a key amino acid for a healthy and strong immune system due to its involvement in several immune functions. Glutamine also speeds healing following an injury, stress, surgery, and most major illnesses thanks to its involvement in cellular turnover, cell repair, and the stimulation of immune cells.
- Improves joint and bone health. Collagen is essential for maintaining and building cartilage. Your body can produce its own collagen with proper hydration and nutrition; however, as you age your ability to produce the collagen essential for supple cartilage decreases, consequently increasing your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis or pain caused by bone rubbing on bone. Supplementing with collagen is an easy way to support joint health by providing the body with the collagen it needs to build and maintain cartilage in your joints. Collagen also contributes to bone health by supporting healthy bone and mineral density.
- Detoxification. Glutamine and glycine are important for liver health and supporting your body’s natural detoxification pathways. Both of these amino acids are necessary for the production of glutathione, which is the antioxidant that’s required by the liver to properly do its job.
I personally like to use Primal Kitchen Collagen Peptides. For 20% off of all Primal Kitchen products use code: REALFOOD20
How to make Banana Berry Smoothie
It’s simple. Add ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy. I like to make smoothies on the thicker side so sometimes I have to stop the blender, scrap the sides, and repeat.
Other Smoothie recipes you’ll love
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
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Banana Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 small banana, frozen
- 3/4 cup mixed berries, frozen
- 1 handful of spinach (optional)
- 1 Tbsp. almond butter or nut butter of choice
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 tsp. chia or flax seeds
- 2 scoops collagen peptides or protein of choice (use plant-based protein for vegan)
- 1/2–1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1/2 cup ice
- optional – 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (omit for dairy-free or vegan)
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. For a thinner smoothie add 1 cup of liquid for a thicker smoothie start with a 1/2 cup and add more until desired consistency is achieved.
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Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie (1/2 total recipe)
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 8 g
- (Sat Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 101 mg
- Carbohydrate: 26 g
- (Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
Dietary
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Christa Biegler says
Oh my gosh, These recipes! I’m ordering Collagen Fuel now. Glad I stumbled upon you from the Nutrition Academy round up. I would have never known about this (AKA not on Amazon).
P.S. PLEASE tell me where you go those glasses? I need some. Thanks!
Jessica Beacom says
Awwwwwww! Thanks, Christa!
We’re so happy you found us – the Collagen Fuel is pretty awesome. I’ve been enjoying it in this smoothie lately. So good! Heads up – there is a Chocolate Collagen Fuel coming out in the next couple months, too.
The glass are from World Market – I’ve also spied them at Target (stemless flutes)
Carol says
Can you suggest a substitute for the almond milk and almond butter? I am allergic to nuts and soy! Thank you!
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Carol,
If you can tolerate dairy you could use cow or goat’s milk. If not, you could try flax milk or rice milk. Or just substitute coconut water for the almond milk and use a seed butter of your choice (like sunflower seed butter or tahini).
Cindy Rumlow says
Hi Stacie! I’m probably facing surgery sooner than later and although I have a relatively healthy lifestyle I’m looking to up my game pre and post to improve my recovery. I’m not a picky eater but I have GERD so nothing spicy and I’m not adventurous so mixing beets, carrots and berries are not my thing. Any good smoothie recipes you can suggest? I’m 53, female, otherwise good health, hEDS. TIA
Stacie Hassing says
HEre’s a great one to start with and then you can make it your own: https://therealfooddietitians.com/go-to-green-smoothie/
Albertina Geller says
I usually try to have a smoothie every day, be it fruit or vegetable. I have a banana smoothie at least once a week but I have never added avocado in it. How much difference will it make nutrient wise if I don’t add it in your recipe as well?
Jessica Beacom says
Leaving out the avocado won’t affect the smoothie much in terms of taste but you’ll get less healthy fat so it may be less filling if you leave it out – it’s delicious either way!
Cheryl DeKoevend says
Hi.
I am looking for a meal replacement smoothie recipe. Can I add oatmeal to this so that I feel full longer? If so, how much would I add.
Jessica Beacom says
You can definitely add oats to this. A standard ‘serving’ of oatmeal is 1/4 cup uncooked so I’d say start there and add more (along with more liquid) if you need more to keep you satisfied.