Green Smoothie Protein Shake
Green Smoothie Protein Shake
This bariatric friendly shake is certainly on the sweet side. If you are looking for a way to CURB your sweet tooth, this is a great recipe for you! BONUS extra vitamins, minerals and fiber with fresh spinach blended in.
Having this shake in the evening instead of a sweet treat is a great idea. For patients that are tired of sweet shakes, you might prefer the “Not So Sweet Vanilla Shake.”
Protein shakes CAN be a wonderful tool on your weight loss journey – if used in the right ways!
So, what are the right ways??
For many patients, protein shakes on the pre-op diet will be a given. Some programs will require you lose weight before even getting a surgery date, while other programs will have you do a liquid diet or a “pre-op diet” two weeks before your scheduled date. If you are wondering more about what to eat as a pre-op patient or what to expect with the pre-op diet, read this post.
Another for sure time for protein shakes will be early after surgery on the post-op diet. Many patients will be SO TIRED of sweet shakes, this may not be a good fit for that time because of taste preferences.
Further down the road after surgery, protein shakes aren’t always a good idea except if they are used as a sweet treat replacement. If this White Chocolate Protein Shake keeps you from ice cream or cheesecake, then YES, absolutely a great use of this recipe. Check out my members video series on “The Do’s and Don’ts of Protein.”
For more protein shakes or other sweet treat remedies, click here.
For more information on the bariatric surgery diet, check out my video courses available to members of Bariatric Food Coach.
Green Smoothie Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/8 tsp banana extract
- 1/8 tsp strawberry extract may substitute for 1/4 cup strawberries when diet allows
- 1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 1-3 tbsp sweetener of choice (adjust to desired sweetness)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (adjust for desired consistency)
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
- Blend together on high until smooth.
What is the Calorie count?
@Karen thanks for the comment! You can copy and paste the URL into MyFitnessPal for additional nutrition information you are interested in. I do not use calorie counting in my practice which is why recipes don’t list the calorie count. You can read more about that here if you are interested – https://www.bariatricfoodcoach.com/why-i-dont-recommend-counting-calories-to-lose-weight/
Thank you for this information.
How soon after WLS can one start drinking the green smoothies?
I’m entering into phase 2 (puréed food) as of Monday, and yes, I’m sick and tired of the protein shakes. I miss my salads and vegetables, so a Green smoothies sounds so appealing! Real food!
Thank you,
Entisar
@Entisar it depends on the program but this would be a “full” liquid for most which sounds like you are allowed to have at this time. Here is a list of pureed recipes as well: https://www.bariatricfoodcoach.com/?s=pureed