Adding protein to smoothies? Yes or No?

Why not use a protein powder? Personally I think the only way you really benefit from a smoothie is if there is protein in it. I make a smoothie with EAS 100% Whey protein, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (low carb and no sugar), 1/2 cup of frozen fruit, and some ice. It is 180 calories, 12 carbs, 4 grams of fat, and 25 grams of protein. It keeps me full for hours.

What gives you the idea 'excess' protein will turn to fat? Healthy women should eat approx. 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body weight, on average. I weigh 110 pounds and I strive to get atleast 80 grams of protein on a regular day, a lot of times 100 grams and I lift weights but I'm definitely not a bodybuilder.

My smoothies are calcium enriched OJ and a low fat yogurt, with half a scoop of protein powder. I prefer to eat my fruit rather than drink it.

Variations include: coffee yogurt with choc pp
Creamsicle - all vanilla, all the time
Gringersnap - like creamsicle but with ginger & cinnamon

I only drink them on Sundays when I'm in a hurry. Otherwise OJ is drunk after a workout, a banana is eaten someplace in their, and the yogurt is lunch.

Usually I add whey protein to my smoothies on the days I work out to help but I agree with kdiamond that the benefits of it are really good. If anything if your still ify about it only use it in your smoothie on the days you work out but yah it will help curve hunger throughout the day as astrampe said.

35%?? That is just a number he/she has pulled out of the air, if you don't want to lose muscle then you need to eat roughly 1g of protein per pound of LEAN muscle.

This makes that number pretty flexible

Protein and Fats should be quite high

Excess protein does turn to fat if you aren't using it all.

Not if you are still coming in under your calories.

This is just a quick google search on protein for women. I am 150 lbs and at max it says I should eat 122 grams a day and I am almost sedentary because of my job which recommends only 50-60 grams a day.

http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Much-Protein-Should-I-Eat-165578

Yeah i'm getting 54g for you if you did nothing, like sat down all day.

But don't worry if you go over by a few grams everyday, it won't do you any harm as long as the number doesn't increase and you become less active.

I'm not getting into the whole protein debate because I just don’t have the time right now. So, onto the protein smoothies...

My smoothies consist of either:

½ cup frozen strawberries (it’s about 4 medium sized ones)
¼ cup frozen raspberries
¼ cup frozen blackberries
1 cup 1% milk
1 scoop protein powder optional (I have tried strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate and all taste good, but I think I liek the vanill in this recipe the best)

Without powder: 166 calories, 3g fat, 27 carbs, 9g protein, 5g fiber, 69% DV of Vitamin C, 33% DV of Calcium
With powder: Different powders add different amounts of protein, calories, and carbs. Typically it’s around an extra 140-160 calories, 26-30g protein, and 6-10 carbs.

or:
1 cup frozen mango, pineapple, peach, and strawberry pieces (bought a bag of these frozen mixed fruits)
1 cup 1% milk or 1 can mango nectar (going to try apricot nectar, peach nectar, and strawberry banana nectar as well...OJ made it waaaay too sweet and acidic for my tastes)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Without powder: 230 calories....and don't have the math on the rest but you can figure it out.


Instead of drinking them as smoothies, I now eat them as sorbet:

Freeze for about 2 hours and then let soften (or soften using microwave). Mash it all up to have a creamy sorbet version 16-20oz of sorbet is waaaaaaay more filling than the same amount of ounces in liquid form. I usually can only eat half the bowl and then save the other half for later, while as with a smoothie I'm still hungry after consuming it I also can't even taste the protein powder when I eat them as sorbet, which is always a plus. I use Six Star Pro Nutrition (whey) and Body Fortress (whey).

I make a smoothie with EAS 100% Whey protein, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (low carb and no sugar), 1/2 cup of frozen fruit, and some ice. It is 180 calories, 12 carbs, 4 grams of fat, and 25 grams of protein. It keeps me full for hours.

yumm! thanks for that!

Excess protein does turn to fat if you aren't using it all. People who lift weights need a lot more protein as well as the reason why men need more protein than women recommended daily. By adding the peanut butter I do get 12 grams of protein in there along with some healthy fats. I average around the max protein a day as I am a big meat eater typically so I don't want to over do it ont he protein. Protein is only suppose to be max 35% of your diet.

excess of energy consumed turns to fat... excess protein basically turns to glucose or carbohydrate if eaten in excess...

What peanut butter are you using that contains 12g of protein per tablespoon?

...I am not into almond milk as it has more fat, more sugar, more carbs...

Unsweetened almond milk has zero sugar.

...carbohydrates are sugar.

YES! I use Sun Warrior protein. I've tried heaps and this is my favourite. Very natural and "clean" as well as yummy! I find that if I have a high protein breakfast I am more full and less prone to sugar cravings throughout the day. I try to get in 50g protein by lunch.. this has worked really well for me.

On another note, I've recently found an almond milk that doesn't contain added sugar/agave - So good unsweetened almond milk. Made my day

...I am not into almond milk as it has more fat, more sugar, more carbs...

Unsweetened almond milk has zero sugar.

...carbohydrates are sugar.

My almond milk has 1 g carbs per cup. I don't think it's a problem. :laugh:

who says sugar is a problem?

TROLL!
OP said she doesn't want extra sugar or carbs.

I would highly recommend adding whey protein to your smoothies. I don't think gender should have anything to do with it. I recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey protein powder. It really fits into the macros. A second protein powder I would recommend is EAS.