Protein Power: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Note: JIF brand discontinued this powdered peanut product. However, there are several other brands on the market.

Sometimes, previous breakfast-loving-teenagers may wake up one day and decide: “I can’t eat this early in the morning”.

When this happens in my house I don’t like it. I’m a big fan of breakfast and think it’s important to fuel your brain before you do important work. The idea of a student trying to focus and do his best, on an empty stomach for 3-4 hours before lunchtime, does not appeal to me. And I am “The Mom” after all, so I have some say.

Enter: Liquid Breakfast.

I’m personally not a huge fan of smoothies or drinking my meals. I make time to eat, and have never had an issue with lack of appetite in the early morning. Smoothies do however have their place in providing nutrition when there otherwise would be none (and are also a great way to add more vegetables and fruit to your diet). They are great for anyone from age 4 to 84 who may not have a great appetite when they do in fact need to eat.

This easy smoothie is made with a secret ingredient: Peanut powder. This unsweetened protein powder is made from peanuts (as the sole ingredient). Three tablespoons offers 8 grams of tasty protein at only 70 calories. When you add 8 ounces of milk, you get a total of 16 grams of protein (more than 2 eggs!). I also love the pouch it comes in (with a velcro seal – Cereal brands! Take note!). If you are a fan of peanuts and peanut butter, try it out.