If you think about all the nutrients and calories you need for something to qualify as breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this shake still fits the bill. The banana, coconut yogurt, blueberries, protein powder, chia seeds, and spinach pack all the antioxidants, fiber, protein, and fat you need in a meal. You can enjoy this paleo shake as a replacement for any meal of the day and rest assured you are keeping yourself well-fed and healthy. This would be a key meal replacement shake for busy mornings when you've got to get out the door fast, a sippable lunch when you're between meetings, or a quick on-the-go dinner when traveling.
Meal replacement shakes are perfect for our busy lifestyles and for those meals we don't have time to sit down and slow down for. Basically, as long as you're using a shake to replace a meal every once in a while, it can be a good strategy for keeping your weight loss and healthy eating goals on track. However, nutritionists advise against using shakes to replace meals too often—it's always best to eat a well-rounded meal of whole foods and clean natural ingredients.
A meal replacement shake with added fruits and vegetables, in this case, blueberries and spinach, is always a better option than one without any fresh produce in it. Try to use at least one leafy green in your meal replacement shake, or add a combo of a few different green vegetables like kale, swiss chard, collard, and even dandelion greens. If you're not into banana, try frozen cauliflower in shakes—it delivers the same thick creaminess (as opposed to ice, which just goes watery) without the sweetness of the banana.
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1/2 frozen banana, sliced, or 4 florets frozen cauliflower
1/4 cup coconut yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup frozen blueberries, plus more for serving
1/4 cup frozen spinach
2 Tbsp paleo vanilla or plain protein powder
1 tsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
How to Make It
- In a blender, combine all ingredients and puree until smooth. Top with extra frozen blueberries.