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Lily Berthold-Bond

Green Girl Sings Praises of Protein Smoothies

posted by Lily Berthold-Bond Jan 8, 2009 1:00 pm
filed under: Health & Wellness, Diet & Nutrition, Drinks, Eating for Health, Green Girl Adventures, , , , , , , , ,
Green Girl Sings Praises of Protein Smoothies
86 comments

So, I’m a vegetarian. I think you may know that already, but if not, there it is. And one thing about vegetarians is that it is very difficult to get enough protein–and pretty much everything else you can imagine. But for me, protein is the key. My friends think I’m paranoid, because every time we make dinner, I’m constantly asking, “Wait, what are we having for protein?” Are my vegetarian friends getting enough protein if they don’t worry about it like I do? Probably not.

The problem is, if you’re a vegetarian and you are eating out, protein is not always going to be readily available. How many times have you gone to a restaurant and found your only options to be pasta or grilled vegetables? I’ll answer that. ALL the time.

So, you can imagine my complete delight when I found a breakfast that offers 26 grams of your daily protein intake! That’s a little more than half the daily recommended value of 50g. Don’t even get me started on breakfast–I do dearly love classic breakfast foods, but seriously, how unhealthy are they? I’ll answer that, too. VERY.

This breakfast is a smoothie. I was very skeptical when I first tried it–many of the ingredients sounded like they would not mix at all. But my mom was so adamant about me trying it that my cousin and I bravely went forth and tried it together. And were astounded! It is SO GOOD. I crave them now. I have them every day, sometimes twice a day because I just keep wanting more! They really fill you up, keep you satisfied until lunch, and give you so much energy for the day. I feel so good on them, I am making all my friends try it, too (they love them as well, so don’t worry).

The smoothie comes from the book Spent (which also has a website coming soon), by Frank Lipman, M.D. Lipman suggests a dietary plan that begins every day with this smoothie. There are slight variations, but the recipe that I use is:

1 cup almond milk
1 capful of vanilla
A squirt of agave syrup
1 cup frozen cherries
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 teaspoons of powdered greens
3 tablespoons whey powder,
Half an avocado

You can see why I was skeptical, I’m sure. My advice to you is simply, don’t be. It’s wonderful. Try it. You’ll be amazed.

Note to self: Another smoothie, please.

Lily Berthold-Bond grew up in a chemical-free zone and has struggled her whole life to understand and accept this non-commercial lifestyle. Now a sophomore at Tufts University, she has embraced her green life and hopes to share its possibilities with the rest of her generation.

More on Diet & Nutrition (301 articles available)
More from Lily Berthold-Bond (67 articles available)

86 comments

86 comments

add your comment »
86 comments add your comment
Vural K.

thanks...
Kabin

Konteyner

Rebekah W.

The recipe looks interesting, but it is perfectly ridiculous to state how difficult it is for vegetarians to get adequate protein in their diets...It's not. Most Americans actually consume excessive amounts of protein. Vegetarians can get more than enough protein by eating a balanced diet of vegetables and beans/legumes. You are just perpetuating this myth by stating "it is very difficult to get enough protein–and pretty much everything else you can imagine"...Well planned vegetarian meals give you EVERYTHING you need and can imagine.

Cindy W.

What are powdered greens? Except for that, I will try it. Can I make it without powdered greens?

Frederica P.

Bulk or packaged quinoa is commonly available at natural food stores in the Vancouver, BC, area (e.g. Capers, Choices -- and Save-on-Foods). I have only seen bulk amaranth in Toronto, ON, at The Big Carrot. Quinoa was also available there.

A.T. P.
  • A.T. P. says
  • Feb 10, 2009 1:07 PM

For those who eat soy, remember, eating *GMO-free* is best, and possibly a few servings a week max may be recommended. Consider using hemp, rice, almonds, or other protein containing food instead. And read the other comments & links that have been added to this article. FYI, here are some more links on soy:

http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/the_controversy_surrounding_soy

http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/search/node/soy

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Lombaert+soy&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Amalthea Lalaith

Thanks for the recipe. I'll be replacing it with soy protein as I am vegan.

Happy eating :)

Susan W.

Loveday -- You have not made a good impression on me and it is narrow minded people like you who think you can talk down to others who prevent change from happening. I have previously written at length on several fora just how this farm runs. There are others that are run this way as well. If people stop reproducing at the rate they are, perhaps, we can save the planet and maintain a healthier for balance. However, that you should write to me as you have shows me nothing but your outsized ego. And your own lack of research shows in your continued use of the word cruelty. Have you ever seen an animal with mastitis?

Loveday P.

I would suggest that you do some actual research into how the dairy industry functions. One farm may have high standards but that does not justify an unbelievably cruel system of humans abusing animals for their own purposes based on greed and not welfare. "Inhuman" is an interesting word to use when discussing the milking of cows - it is inhuman to drink the milk of another species intended for the calf.

Susan W.

I am more than a bit miffed to see these constant references to the suffering of farm animals. I have written here and elsewhere about Side Hill Farm where the calves are kept with the cows and allowed to nurse as naturally as a human baby whose mother stays at home. The cows are milked for human consumption once each day. To not milk a cow is inhuman. If we control our human population, we can abolish the need for factory farms.

Patricia McCaskill

Yes I was disappointed to see Whey was used to supplement protein. If one is going to use animal products there is no reason to lament one can't find enough protein, but one is adding to the suffering of other species in using these products and supporting factory farming to boot.
Easier to be vegan it seems.

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