Berry Protein Smoothie

This Berry Protein Smoothie packs 35 grams of protein in one serving! Not only is it filling, but it’s also delicious with lots of mixed berries.

Made with cottage cheese, protein powder, and seeds, this healthy berry smoothie is made without using yogurt and is one of my favorite breakfast recipes.

These berry protein smoothies only take 5 minutes to make and can be made ahead to store in the freezer so you can just blend the ingredients as needed.

I love a good smoothie recipe, especially these mixed berry smoothies without yogurt. They are so refreshing and easy to make, but also very filling.

Because these berry protein smoothies take 5 minutes to make, they’re perfect for breakfast on the go. Not only that, but they won’t give you a huge sugar crash or massive cravings a few short hours later with the balance of protein.

This is especially great for anyone who has migraine attacks and needs to keep their blood sugar balanced, but also wants a quick meal.

Why I love berry protein smoothies:

• Blood sugar balanced – Most smoothie recipes give you a huge intake of sugar quickly and can leave you feeling hungry a short time later. This one balances the fruit with lots of healthy protein.
• Customizable – Choose from different protein powder options, use a low sodium cottage cheese, or change up the berries. You can even make this into a smoothie bowl with granola.
• Meal prep – Make these ahead and store them in the freezer by placing the ingredients in a small bag to throw into the blender when you’re ready to make.
• Great for brain health – With lots of antioxidants, berries are great for memory and brain health, but this smoothie can also use coconut water for added electrolytes. This makes it a great option for an easy meal replacement for migraine attacks.

If you love smoothies without yogurt, give my anti-inflammatory smoothie or blueberry smoothie a try!

Best Blenders for Smoothies

A great smoothie requires a good blender. If you have leftover chunks of ice or frozen fruit, it is time to upgrade your blender for the best results.

Here are a few I recommend that I have used personally:

• Vitamix – I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s great.
• Ninja – Very popular with some readers.
• Nutribullet Ideal if you plan to only make dishes for one person.

Ingredients

• Mixed berries and cherries – I like to use Trader Joe’s very cherry berry blend. But you can used all mixed berries and add frozen cherries. The frozen cherries add a great flavor and sweetness.
• Cottage cheese – Packed with protein, this makes the smoothie creamy and thick.
• Protein powder – I recommend going with a plant-based protein that doesn’t have a strong flavor like pumpkin seed protein.
• Hemp seeds – These also add protein as well as fiber, magnesium, B vitamins and iron. They also boost omega-3 content which can prevent migraine attacks and improve brain health.
• Vanilla extract – For smoothies I like to use non-alcoholic vanilla.
• Spinach – Just a handful to add some greens, or you could use kale as well for a lower histamine substitute. This is optional!
• Honey or lucuma powder to sweeten – Honey is the easy option, but for a sweetener with a low glycemic index, try lucuma powder!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add ingredients in the blender.
2. Blend and use a tamper if needed – Blend over low to medium speed at first, raising to high as everything gets combined. Use a blender tamper to push the frozen berries down, if needed. This helps to eliminate any frozen chunks in the smoothie.
3. Taste and adjust any sweetness or add consistency. For a thicker smoothie, add more fruit and avoid adding a lot of ice, which will water down the flavor.
4. Top with any favorites including extra hemp seeds, berries, or granola.

Add Ins and Substitutions

You can easily customize these berry protein smoothies with the following options!

• Milk – For a really creamy smoothie, replace water with regular milk, hemp milk, oat milk, rice milk or coconut milk.
• Cottage cheese – Can substitute yogurt if not following a migraine elimination diet.
• Water – Use coconut water instead of regular for extra electrolytes.
• Seeds – Add in chia, hemp, flax seeds or sunflower seed butter.
• Protein powder – See my options for migraine friendly protein powder, or use your favorite.
• To make a smoothie bowl – Add more frozen fruit or cauliflower to thicken it up even more.

How to Meal Prep

This mixed berry smoothie with cottage cheese will stay fresh in the fridge for about 1 hour before the texture becomes thick and gelatinous. If you want to meal prep these smoothies, here are a few tips.

1. Add all the ingredients except the liquid to a small, freezer-safe bag. Then freeze flat. Store these smoothie bags for up to 6 months.
2. When you’re ready to make, add the frozen ingredients to your blender and add in liquid. Blend according to the directions.

Prepping these berry protein smoothies ahead will save you a bunch of time and money compared to ordering them from a service or a smoothie shop.

Recipe FAQ

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review in the recipe card! Don’t forget to tag me @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest for more great recipes!