Healthy Protein Smoothie Recipe – Chocolate Cherry Smoothie w/ Collagen

This Chocolate Cherry Healthy Protein Smoothie Recipe includes 35 grams of protein. This makes an excellent high protein breakfast.

In many ways, smoothies are the perfect summer breakfast. Especially if you live somewhere super hot like I do!

First of all, they're cold and creamy and super satisfying when a hot meal sounds unappealing. In addition, smoothies take advantage of summer's unparalleled produce when it's at its best.

The only problem is many smoothies include little other than fruit and some liquid. While these smoothies can be delicious, they're not very satisfying on their own. I don't know about you, but I need my breakfast to include some protein and healthy fats to keep me full all morning.

Well my friends, today's healthy protein smoothie recipe is the answer to all of your smoothie problems. It contains an impressive 32 grams of protein, none of them from weird ingredients. I don't do a lot of protein powder but I do use collagen from time to time. This chocolate cherry smoothie gets its protein from collagen, as well as from high protein Greek yogurt, chia seeds and nut butter.

Dairy free? No problem! I've included a dairy free version too that uses coconut milk instead of Greek yogurt. At 31 grams of protein, the dairy free protein smoothie is still quite high in protein.

The best part? Once you nail this smoothie recipe, you can use these high protein smoothie ingredients to boost any of your favorite smoothies. Try it with my Strawberry Mint Smoothie or my Tropical Green Smoothie.

And if you're looking for high protein recipes and tips, check out my 7 Ways to Increase Protein Intake, 11 High Protein Meal Prep Breakfast Ideas and 33 Homemade High Protein Snacks.

What makes this a healthy protein smoothie recipe?

This is indeed a healthy protein smoothie recipe! In fact, almost every ingredient lends a serious nutrient boost. Here are some of the nutritional highlights:

Cherries (Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Melatonin)

Packed with fiber, vitamin C and potassium, cherries are great for your immune system and blood pressure.  In addition, cherries are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants.  Cherries also contain melatonin and therefore may help with quality sleep!

Avocado (Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, Potassium, Folate, Healthy Fats)

Loaded with nutrients like potassium, folate and healthy fats, avocados are good for your heart, your eye health, and even your mood. Moreover, they also benefit your brain, bone density and blood sugar levels.

Yogurt

High in protein and nutrients, yogurt is fermented and some yogurt contains probiotics, which are highly beneficial to gut health. Since a lot of yogurt is pasteurized, which can kill probiotics, you'll need to check the label if you're looking for yogurt with probiotics. Like other dairy, yogurt is often fortified with vitamin D which, coupled with its calcium, supports bone health.

Collagen

Collagen is a type of protein that all animals, including people, produce naturally. It is also found in animal skin, connective tissue, bones, cartilage and tendons. In addition to including foods like chicken, eggs, chicken skin and fish skin in your diet, collagen is also available in supplements, like the powder included in this smoothie. Collagen may benefit your skin and hair, in addition to being an easy way to add a protein boost to your food or beverage. Collagen may also benefit bone density as you age. Most study participants were aging women.

Chia Seeds (Omega-3)

With quite a mild flavor, chia seeds are a great way to add fiber, protein and healthy fats to smoothies. They absorb water, so will also thicken your smoothie if you let it sit for a few minutes. Chia seeds also boast a super high Omega-3 (ALA) content – the highest of any known plant source.

Peanut Butter (Copper, Folate, Vitamin E, Magnesium)

High in protein, peanuts are legumes rather than actual nuts. They're a great source of folate and vitamin E. Make sure to get peanut butter that contains only peanuts and perhaps a bit of salt to maximize the nutrition.

Cocoa Powder

Rich in the antioxidant known as polyphenols, cocoa powder may help decrease inflammation and improve blood flow to your brain. Possibly due to its flavanols, cocoa also positively impacts mood! Cocoa powder's flavanols may also help reduce blood pressure. Less processed chocolate products have more flavanols. This is one superfood it's easy to get the kiddos to eat!

Tips for Adding Protein to Smoothies

While this high protein chocolate cherry smoothie is a wonderful place to start, with a little practice, you can turn any of your favorite smoothies into a healthy protein smoothie recipe. Here are a few tips for adding protein to smoothies:

• Add collagen! Adding two tablespoons of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides will add 9 grams of protein to your smoothie. It's tasteless, which means you can easily add collagen to any of your favorite smoothie recipes without changing the taste!
• Include Greek yogurt. Three fourths cup of Fage 5% Greek yogurt includes 15 grams of protein. Fage 2% Greek yogurt includes 17 grams of protein per 3/4 cup and Fage 0% Greek yogurt includes 18 grams of protein. You'll notice the lower the fat in the yogurt, the higher the protein. That said, I personally much prefer full fat yogurt, despite the slightly lower protein content. I find it to be much tastier!
• Add hemp seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds. One tablespoon of chia seeds contains 2.5 grams of protein, one tablespoon of hemp seeds contains 3 grams of protein and one tablespoon of whole flax seeds contains 1.9 grams of protein. It's so easy to sprinkle these seeds into your smoothies, yogurt or oatmeal.
• Include Nut Butter. Peanut butter offers 8 grams of protein per two tablespoons while almond butter has 6.8 grams of protein.

Dairy Free High Protein Smoothie

For those of you who are dairy free, this chocolate cherry high protein smoothie recipe can easily be adjusted to be dairy free.

Omit the yogurt, add 1/3 cup coconut milk and increase the collagen to two scoops. This version will give you about 31 grams of protein.

How to Make a High Protein Smoothie Bowl

If you enjoy eating your smoothie with a spoon rather than drinking it, you can easily make a high protein smoothie bowl instead. Simply reduce the liquid. Omit the two tablespoons water in the dairy version. You can always add a bit of water if needed to blend. You do need a high quality blender to make very thick smoothies like this.

I want more ways to increase my protein intake!

We really pride ourselves here at Prep Dish on meeting our community's needs. For many of our subscribers, that means incorporating high protein recipes into our meal plans and offering tips on how to increase protein. Here are a few resources for you if you're looking to increase your protein intake.

FAQ – Everything You Want to Know About this Healthy Protein Smoothie Recipe

What is the healthiest protein for a smoothie?

Greek yogurt, collagen, nut butter, hemp seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds are all healthy proteins for a smoothie.

Are protein smoothies healthy?

Protein smoothies certainly CAN be healthy. As long as you're including real food high protein ingredients, like our chocolate cherry healthy high protein smoothie recipe, your protein smoothie will be healthy.

What is the healthiest thing to put in a smoothie?

Including protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and veggies will result in a healthy smoothie. Ingredients like spinach, kale, cherries, blueberries, avocado, cauliflower, Greek yogurt, nut butter, seeds and collagen are all excellent, nutritious additions to your smoothie.

What is the best liquid to put in a smoothie?

You can use water, coconut water or the milk of your choice to add liquid to your smoothies.