We are pumpkin obsessed! What other veggie adds so much umph to oatmeal, yogurt, a smoothie, and even to a cocktail, while packing 5 grams of fiber in just a 40-calorie, half cup serving? Plus, drink this and say hello to luscious skin thanks to all of the beta carotene.
Psst… we love pumpkin and we’re always creating new recipes like our Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Pumpkin Dip, our Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal Cookie and our Pumpkin Spiced Latte, just to name a few!
Pictured above: Vanilla Pumpkin Smart-tail. It’s the same delish, easy and healthy, protein-packed smoothie, just in a jazzier glass and smaller size!
This smoothie is to die for–serve it up as a great protein-packed snack, or have one and half servings (or even two servings!) for breakfast to squash sugar cravings–and you’ll be getting your veggies at breakfast and lots of fiber, too! You can even take it up a notch and serve this at a cocktail party or your Thanksgiving celebration in a cocktail glass. Either way, it’s healthy and SO yummy!
In this recipes we used protein powder. Got questions about protein powder? Here’s our take:
Protein Powder: Generally speaking, we stick to real, whole food. However, over the years, various protein powder manufacturers have sent us their protein powders to sample– and with our hectic lifestyles, at times we’ve found we really appreciate the convenience and portability of a protein source that won’t spoil easily. And we’ve been grateful to have the powders to quickly toss in our homemade shakes and some other recipes.
Our favorites have contained just a source of protein (typically from whey, pea, hemp, brown rice, artichoke or cranberry) or along with protein, just some greens (dehydrated vegetable or other plant products)—but not the ones with additional fats, grains, or thickeners. Since protein powders all differ in their nutritional content, try to find one that has little to no sugar and is low in carbs and fat. A protein powder can assist in body fat loss if you typically choose a carb-heavy breakfast and instead lighten it up by cutting back on some of the carbs and adding some protein to help you to stay full longer and stay on track. This will prevent overeating soon after breakfast—and the rest of the day.
Note: A word of caution: Watch out for protein powders with additives. To make it easier, try to choose protein powders with just a few ingredients so you don’t have to research all of the other ingredients that very likely could be sugars or sugar substitutes, herbs, etc. If you do find protein powders with many ingredients and you have time to research them (eeks, who has time!?), you can check it out here http://ods.od.nih.gov/. Also, beware if a protein powder brags on the label about creating weight loss on—it likely could dehydrate you with a diuretic and cause a quick water loss which is regained just as quickly as it’s lost!
Vanilla Pumpkin Protein Smoothie or Vanilla Pumpkin Smart-tail
If you choose to have this delish, satisfying, craving- squashing smoothie for breakfast, we suggest having 2 servings (350 calories, 43 whopping grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber). If you simply have one serving at breakfast, we recommend eating a piece of fruit with it or having a yogurt since on it’s own, it’s very filling, yet only has 175 calories so you may find you want a slightly larger morning meal. As a snack, one serving is ideal!
Servings: 1 smoothie or 5 Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup, generous, firmly packed canned pumpkin
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 packet vanilla protein powder (we used Unjury brand, 100 calories, 21 grams protein, which we were sent as a sample, then we made it with PlantFusion Protein Powder, which has slightly more calories–but look for one with similar nutrition facts)
- 5 ice cubes
- 3 Tbsp Water
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Blend all ingredients together, pour into glass or into martini glasses for an appetizer, sprinkle with cinnamon to garnish. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information: Serves 1: Per serving (using 1 packet Unjury Vanilla Protein Powder) 175 calories, 23 grams protein, 0 gram fat, 15 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams fiber, 7 grams sugar
The photo above is about 1/5 of the recipe–it is the Vanilla Pumpkin Smart-tail — if you serve it as an appetizer it’s only about 35 calories!
This is to die for!!
For more delicious, healthy comfort foods, check out our latest book The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure!!
- ½ cup, generous, firmly packed canned pumpkin
- ¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 packet vanilla protein powder (we used Unjury brand, 100 calories, 21 grams protein, which we were sent as a sample, then we made it with PlantFusion Protein Powder, which has slightly more calories--but look for one with similar nutrition facts)
- 5 ice cubes
- 3 Tbsp Water
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- Blend all ingredients together, pour into glass or into martini glasses for an appetizer, sprinkle with cinnamon to garnish. Serve immediately.