Strawberry Smoothie Recipe – NO Banana Required! (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken a smoothie instead of banana? ›

A handful of raw oats add thickness to your smoothie while kicking the fiber and protein up a notch. A tablespoon of chia seeds is a natural thickener and provides healthy fats and protein. Chia seeds absorb liquid from the smoothie and expand into a thicker texture.

The good news (if you're looking to kickstart your day with a heart-healthy breakfast — and who isn't?) is that there are still plenty of nutritionist-approved ways to blend up a naturally sweet and creamy breakfast smoothie without adding bananas.

Standard ice cubes are great for adding thickness to smoothies but bear in mind you will need a powerful enough blender to crush the ice (more on this later). For the cleanest flavor also try and avoid adding tap water ice cubes if possible. Opt for cubes made from purified, filtered water instead.

One of the easiest ways to add protein to your smoothies is to include a spoonful of your favorite nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter—whatever kind you're craving. They're all high in protein, but they're also high in fat, which makes smoothies more rich and velvety and helps you feel satiated.

Canned pumpkin and silken tofu also work as substitutes for a banana in some recipes, although you may need to add sweetener, and plain yogurt might work in some recipes—but if the recipe calls for vinegar or lemon juice, choose another substitute.

For those who want to consume smoothies with bananas, or other high PPO activity fruits and vegetables such as beet greens, the suggestion is to not combine them with flavanol-rich fruits such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

Healthy Choices for Fruit Smoothie Recipes

Here are some to try: Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries ― fresh or frozen ― are packed with vitamins and fiber, and add appealing color and flavor. Bananas contain potassium and a fiber called inulin that helps you feel full and satisfied.

Like bananas, plantains are originally from Southeast Asia. However, they are now grown all over the world, including in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and tropical regions of the Americas. Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They may be green, yellow, or very dark brown.

Crushed ice is a great option for smoothies because it blends more easily and creates a smoother texture. It's also easier to measure out the right amount of ice and it melts faster than ice cubes.

How do you thicken a strawberry smoothie? ›

Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds

A handful of oats can add thickness to your smoothie while also adding in some extra protein and fiber! I love tossing in some oats in this peach cobbler smoothie. You don't need to cook them, just add them in raw!

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

The Don'ts of Making Smoothies:

Don't add lots of fruit juice to your smoothies. Choose to use fresh fruit instead as to not add any more artificial sugars! Do not toss in unwashed fruits!

Second, well…it keeps the smoothie cold. Without frozen ingredients the heat of the blender tends to make the smoothie a less than desirable temperature. We've come up with some creative ways to get the chilled temperature and the creamy texture that ice cubes can deliver but without the diluted taste.

Frozen ingredients are the key to creating a thick smoothie. Using fibrous, thick-fleshed fruit and vegetables can also help the texture. Adding chia seeds, avocado, yogurt, and protein powder are other thickening options.

Simply adding a banana will instantly make your smoothie thicker, but you can also use a frozen banana for a smoothie recipe that's even more ice cream-esque and frostier. Similar to bananas, mangos are another “creamy” fruit that creates a thick, almost “fluffy” texture.