My Favorite High Protein Smoothie for Pregnancy & Postpartum
As someone who has worked in the birth and postpartum space for almost 20 years, I’ve learned my fair share about the nutritional needs in the childbearing years. I’ve seen an encouraging trend lately of women aiming to eat more protein (which incidentally are called “the building blocks of life” because they are vital for repairing cells, building muscle, and regulating bodily functions) and in general focusing on getting at minimum 100 grams of protein each day. But as a mom and a business owner, I know first-hand how challenging meeting protein goals can be. That’s why I’ve started recommending this delicious protein smoothie to help moms get the protein they need in the easiest way possible.
Personally, I try to get my protein from whole food sources, but I also recognize the fullness of life sometimes makes that feel impossible. As a Type-A personality, my tendency is perfection, but motherhood made me realize that “good” is good enough! So while the ingredients here are still optimal sources of protein, they aren’t necessarily whole food sources… but I’m ok with that.
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Recipe for 1 serving:
8oz milk (8g protein)
1 scoop Equip Prime Protein (20g protein) - my favorite is the stevia free chocolate flavor
1 scoop Thrive Market Collagen Peptides (10g protein)
6 TBSP Siggi’s Vanilla Skyr Yogurt (9g protein)
Optional: any fruit or leafy greens you have on hand
One serving of this smoothie gives you 47 grams of protein! If you’re aiming for 100 grams per day, that’s almost half of your goal in one sitting! If you want even more protein, add the whole container of yogurt.
Start by blending the milk with the protein powder and collagen powder - this is a crucial first step because the powders can stick to the side of the blender and I’ve noticed they can clump if they aren’t blended well before adding other ingredients. After the powders are blended smoothly, then add the yogurt and any fresh or frozen fruit or leafy greens. If you like your smoothies frothy but are using fresh (not frozen) fruit or greens, then you can add a handful of ice. Blend until you reach desired consistency. I like my smoothies still a bit chunky mainly because “chewing your smoothies” initiates digestion by triggering digestive enzymes and prepares your gut for optimal nutrient absorption. Some people can’t handle that texture, so just do what works best for you.
A note on ingredients: I use full fat dairy, but any milk or yogurt substitute will do, just know that it will alter the protein content. You can also substitute any collagen powder, again just try to aim for a similar protein count. For protein powder, I personally love Equip Prime Protein because it is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and whey free. It has no fillers or artificial ingredients, and is much more gentle on my gut than other protein powders.
Adequate protein is crucial for a growing baby (either in utero or out) and is also so incredibly important for your health as a mom. This easy protein smoothie can help you meet those protein goals with little to no fuss! This literally takes me less than 5 minutes to make and is SO delicious!