Flaxseed Smoothie

Start your day with this Peanut Butter–Banana Flaxseed Smoothie for a protein-fiber combo that’s satisfying and lasting. Protein-packed peanut butter and Greek yogurt join forces with fiber-rich banana and flaxseed for a powerful nutritional punch that includes heart- and brain-healthy fats. Almond milk adds creaminess and loosens the smoothie a bit, while a touch of maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon add just the right amount of sweetness and warmth. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what ingredients can be substituted. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• To avoid added sugars, skip the maple syrup and look for vanilla extract that doesn’t have sugar. Freezing the bananas when they are perfectly ripe should provide plenty of sweetness.
• To make a chocolaty peanut butter smoothie, consider adding a little cocoa powder. If you have a nut allergy, you can use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
• Make sure to use ground flaxseed, not whole seeds. Ground flaxseed helps thicken the smoothie because it forms a gel when it comes into contact with liquids, and it also adds a nutty flavor.
• It’s important to add the ingredients to the blender in the specified order outlined in the recipe. This ensures that all the ingredients are pulled into the blades and mixed thoroughly.

Nutrition Notes

• Peanut butter brings its healthy fats, protein and fiber to this smoothie. You’ll also get a healthy amount of vitamin E from the peanut butter and almond milk. Vitamin E is a vitamin that also acts like an antioxidant, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent disease.
• Bananas often get criticized for their sugar content, but it’s naturally occurring sugar and provides energy for your body and brain. Bananas also provide B vitamins, which help your body efficiently produce energy from the carbs in bananas. 
• Flaxseed brings heart- and brain-supporting omega-3s to this smoothie, in addition to fiber and plant protein. Eating flaxseed regularly has been linked with healthier cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
• Almond milk is a nondairy beverage made by blending almonds with water and straining out the solids. Almond milk is an excellent source of vitamin E, and, if fortified, of bone-supporting calcium and vitamin D. Almond milk lacks protein, however, providing just 1 gram per cup compared to cow’s milk’s 8 grams. We added Greek yogurt to this smoothie to bump up the protein content, which slows the smoothie’s digestion and stabilizes blood sugar.