How to add flavor to smoothies without fruit?

Jrabbit321

I'm going on a pretty strict cutting diet & I normally add 4 strawberries to my morning protein smoothie. But, my trainer says I can't have any fruit, not even a few strawberries. So any suggestions on what I can add instead for flavor? TIA!

Mutant13

I'd be a little concerned if my trainer said I couldn't have any fruit. But each to their own I guess

What about vanilla/mint/orange extracts? I often add cinnamon, or peanut butter/pb2

Jrabbit321

I'd be a little concerned if my trainer said I couldn't have any fruit. But each to their own I guess

What about vanilla/mint/orange extracts? I often add cinnamon, or peanut butter/pb2

I think it's a bit severe too, she won't even allow a little almond milk on my morning oatmeal. I literally use like 1/4 cup on my oatmeal every morning & she says no more of that either.

Get120

PB2 is great in smoothies and instant oats.

harlanJEN

I agree. No fruit? I TRULY don't think 4 strawberries will stand in the way of fitness goals.

However ...

Well, wait. I don't have anything. I don't add artificial sweetners, etc. to anything.

My FAVE post-workout smoothie is:

2 scoops choc protein powder
2 TB peanut butter
big handful of kale(destemmed) or baby spinach
1/2 banana
ice
water

Milk-shake consistency. YUMMMMM

dukeninja

I add double concentrate squash to my smoothies.

quill16

I'm a no fruit person, but I do occassionally have a few strawberries or blueberries, just not a regulat basis. I like PB2 in my plain greek yogurt.

bms34b

I'd add vanilla extract and maybe orange, lemon, or lime peel. It will add quite a kick of fruit flavor without the calories or carbs.

Mutant13

I'd be a little concerned if my trainer said I couldn't have any fruit. But each to their own I guess

What about vanilla/mint/orange extracts? I often add cinnamon, or peanut butter/pb2

I think it's a bit severe too, she won't even allow a little almond milk on my morning oatmeal. I literally use like 1/4 cup on my oatmeal every morning & she says no more of that either.

It's totally up to you, but If I were you I'd be getting another opinion on your diet. Sounds like something that strict is going to have you missing out on nutrients

rm7161

plain old cocoa powder. I use a vanilla flavored protein powder as most chocolate powders use cocoa processed with alkali (dutch process) which cuts down the level of antioxidants and generally good stuff that exists in plain cocoa powder broma process.

Hershey's Cocoa is just fine. Any decent cocoa powder that is not Dutch process.

splashwags

I agree. No fruit? I TRULY don't think 4 strawberries will stand in the way of fitness goals.

However ...

Well, wait. I don't have anything. I don't add artificial sweetners, etc. to anything.

My FAVE post-workout smoothie is:

2 scoops choc protein powder
2 TB peanut butter
big handful of kale(destemmed) or baby spinach
1/2 banana
ice
water

Milk-shake consistency. YUMMMMM

Sounds tasty...

Akimajuktuq

I can't agree with the advice that you are getting from your "trainer". I eat a very low carb diet (for health reasons) but berries are definitely something that you could add to your smoothie. In fact, since a protein smoothie is processed (a food not in it's natural form) I think you SHOULD add something unprocessed.

I make smoothies that have grass fed whey protein powder plus natural nut butters (not peanut) and berries. Sometimes I add almond milk, coconut milk or MCT oil.

(She recommends oatmeal and protein powders but not berries or almonds.... something is wrong with this picture; are you PAYING her? Please don't.)

alexbusnello

I'd be a little concerned if my trainer said I couldn't have any fruit. But each to their own I guess

What about vanilla/mint/orange extracts? I often add cinnamon, or peanut butter/pb2

I think it's a bit severe too, she won't even allow a little almond milk on my morning oatmeal. I literally use like 1/4 cup on my oatmeal every morning & she says no more of that either.

That's way too strict....I'd find someone else to be very honest with you.

alexbusnello

I'd be a little concerned if my trainer said I couldn't have any fruit. But each to their own I guess

What about vanilla/mint/orange extracts? I often add cinnamon, or peanut butter/pb2

I think it's a bit severe too, she won't even allow a little almond milk on my morning oatmeal. I literally use like 1/4 cup on my oatmeal every morning & she says no more of that either.

With all due respect, your trainer needs an education on human physiology.

This

Willarogers1

Crystal light makes a great smoothie, great with wine too... lol must put that out of my mind

Akimajuktuq

I'm going on a pretty strict cutting diet & I normally add 4 strawberries to my morning protein smoothie. But, my trainer says I can't have any fruit, not even a few strawberries. So any suggestions on what I can add instead for flavor? TIA!

That makes no sense what your trainer said. Why not just get a flavor of protein you like and drink it as is, why add stuff?
They make many flavors.

How does this make more sense than what the trainer said? Yes, I use whey protein on occasion to replace breakfast, but I don't fool myself that it's healthy, grass fed or not. Drinking powders that are flavoured and sweetened (artificially or not) sure isn't an improvement on adding a natural food. Adding healthy stuff to the protein powder just makes sense to me. That includes strawberries.

neverstray

I'd fire my trainer. Is she certified to give nutritional advice? Check on that. If so, then ok. But, probably, my guess, is that she is not.

(Sorry for the extremely awkward sentence).

Akimajuktuq

Crystal light makes a great smoothie, great with wine too... lol must put that out of my mind

The advice is getting better by the minute. Not.

MoreBean13

Anyone who blacklists strawberries should not be trusted to give nutritional advice.

SheilaG1963

I've made one with slimfast and sugar free jello powder.

crisandra

I use different types of tea in my smoothies. That adds flavor without calories or additives.

SpecialKitty7

if you're willing to eat artificial sweetners, i use a scant tsp of sugar free jello in mine. 1 packet = three smoothies.

SyntonicGarden

I've heard of people adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. I haven't done it, but I've heard others rave about it.

MoreBean13

I've heard of people adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. I haven't done it, but I've heard others rave about it.

I've done this- it's delicious. But, pumpkin is a fruit.

Topher1978

Some pure cacao powder and a couple fresh mint leaves. Are you using milk? If not using actual milk, add some powdered milk to that. If I had a trainer tell me to stop eating fruit, I would tell them to feck off. Besides, trainers, unless they have a BA in nutrition or diet, are not legally qualified to do anything but give a suggestion here and there. They can't make a meal plan for you, or prescribe a diet to you. But, yeah, a few mint leaves go a long way in smoothies, and are good with chocolate, or vanilla, or strawberry or whatever flavor protein you are using.

Pepper2185

I don't see how a slimfast smoothie with jello powder can be better for you than four strawberries. Get a second opinion on your nutrition plan.

FlaxMilk

Can you add your protein powder to your oatmeal?

Or cheat on your trainer and have the four strawberries. But that's not the advice you asked for. :flowerforyou:

Akimajuktuq

I'm going on a pretty strict cutting diet & I normally add 4 strawberries to my morning protein smoothie. But, my trainer says I can't have any fruit, not even a few strawberries. So any suggestions on what I can add instead for flavor? TIA!

That makes no sense what your trainer said. Why not just get a flavor of protein you like and drink it as is, why add stuff?
They make many flavors.

How does this make more sense than what the trainer said? Yes, I use whey protein on occasion to replace breakfast, but I don't fool myself that it's healthy, grass fed or not. Drinking powders that are flavoured and sweetened (artificially or not) sure isn't an improvement on adding a natural food. Adding healthy stuff to the protein powder just makes sense to me. That includes strawberries.

Who is' healthier, someone who weighs 700lbs eating "clean organic" or someone who eats "junk" at a healthy weight?
I personally know a woman who ate all organic clean food and she said it is the heaviest she has ever been. With weight loss many health indicators improve.

Just to inform you low carb diets under 50g of carbs can lead to insulin resistances.

I'm not arguing at all about organic food. I don't necessarily buy into "organic always equals healthy", so please don't put words in my mouth.

My health journey is not just about weight loss. And, sorry, no one that is obese gets there by eating "clean" or healthy. People who are truly healthy don't tend to overeat; speaking from personal trial and error and experience. Actually when one eats healthy, the weight takes care of itself, ie it gets burned off.

Just to inform you, I was pre diabetic before I changed my diet to below 50g of carbs. In fact, I had many, many serious illnesses that required a drastic change in lifestyle. Yet, I can, and do, still eat strawberries.

So, what are you saying? That the strawberries are bad and that manufactured protein powders are better, so don't add anything? Really? You lost me somewhere.

Jrabbit321

She is a certified trainer at my gym and a fitness model. I just started training with her a few days ago. The diet she put me on excludes any dairy, almond milk, nuts & fruit. It's mainly just protein shakes, egg whites, oatmeal, fish, chicken, tilapia & vegtables.

jeanninecurran

i just discovered pb2. It's amazing. What a great find

Jrabbit321

Thanks for all the great suggestions. She didn't suggest adding any artificial flavors, I was just trying to think if something to add a little flavor to my shakes to replace the strawberries I'm not allowed to eat.