I am a smoothie lover year-round but definitely amp up my smoothie game when the weather warms up since they’re so darn refreshing and an easy way to get lots of nutrient-dense foods into my body. In the case of the smoothie recipe I’m sharing with you today, that looks like a lot of vitamin C, potassium, folate and thiamin thanks to Florida Orange Juice!
Our blender is possibly our most-used kitchen appliance because we’re smoothie-making machines in our house. Between me, Ryan, Chase and Ryder, I can safely say you can find at least one of us sipping on a smoothie every single day. I truly have no idea just how many different smoothie creations I’ve made over the years and love everything from tropical smoothies made with Florida Orange Juice and frozen fruit to chocolate peanut butter smoothies and more.
When it comes to making smoothies for myself, I try to ensure my smoothies have a decent amount of protein, carbs and fat. I like my smoothies to have staying power, especially when I whip one up after a workout. The Banana Orange Juice Protein Smoothie recipe I’m sharing with you today checks all these boxes and it a great post-workout pick-me-up.
Here’s what you need to make this smoothie:
- 100% orange juice (Three cheers for vitamin C, potassium and folate!)
- Frozen Banana (Can’t beat bananas for that thick, creamy texture)
- Frozen Cauliflower (I promise you can’t taste it and it’s a great way to sneak some veggies in)
- Vanilla Protein Powder (for post-workout muscle recovery)
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes (love this for texture and the way it gives the smoothie a tropical feel)
When it comes to the base of my smoothies, I almost never use plain water because I want my smoothies as flavorful as possible. A plant-based milk is a go-to for me for chocolaty smoothies and coconut water or Florida Orange Juice are perfect for days when I want something that feels a little more fruity, summery and tropical. Florida OJ pairs perfectly with banana, pineapple, coconut, berries and basically any other fruit out there so it’s a great base for so many different kinds of smoothies. Plus, there’s something about a smoothie made with a base of Florida Orange Juice that reminds me of sipping on one of my mom’s homemade Orange Julius drinks on Christmas morning so it’s all kinds of nostalgic for this girl!
While orange juice often receives praise for being an excellent source of vitamin C (and it really is — one 8-ounce glass provides more than 100 percent of the recommended Daily Value!), I also love knowing that adding Florida Orange Juice to my smoothies means I’m not only adding flavor but providing my body with additional essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, folate and thiamin. (As an expectant mama, I especially love that orange juice is a good source of folate as it’s essential for fetal cell division, DNA production, growth and development and may reduce the risk of birth defects.)
This smoothie was on point and I loved the combination of coconut and banana with Florida Orange Juice! Please let me know if you give it a try after your next workout or whip it up on a warm day when you’re craving a healthy tropical treat!
Banana Orange Protein Smoothie
PrintBanana Orange Protein Smoothie Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 smoothie 1x
- Category: smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% orange juice
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. If a thicker smoothie is desired, you may add additional frozen banana or frozen cauliflower. If you prefer a more liquidy smoothie, add another splash or two of orange juice.
- Pour into a cup and enjoy!
Leah says
This looks so refreshing! I bet my little guy would love it too. Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
Of course! Really hope you both love it!
Mary says
What protein powder do you use when pregnant and breastfeeding?
Julie says
I vary it up a lot but love Burn Boot Camp’s AfterBurn! It’s grass-fed whey and I like both their vanilla and chocolate.