Smoothies are a yummy and healthy way to add an extra boost of nutrition to your diet. Plus a sneaky way to get extra nutrition into picky kids. I have a collection of some of our favorite whey-free smoothie recipes here. This strawberry cheesecake smoothie though is just as delicious as our old favorites.
Unlike a lot of smoothies, this one is low in sugar. It’s also filling thanks to the extra protein from my new favorite secret ingredient… cottage cheese!
Wake Them Up With a Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie!
I have no trouble getting the kids going in the morning when they know I’m whipping up a blender full of strawberry cheesecake smoothie. I learned long ago it’s all in the name… only I have to know how healthy it really is!
Instead of cream cheese, this smoothie gets its dessert-like creaminess from cultured cottage cheese. It also adds a whopping 14 grams of protein. This makes it great for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. Plus it’s naturally gluten-free and low-fat (depending on which milk you use).
Don’t worry, the cottage cheese blends up nice and creamy (no lumps!)… cheesecake fake-out complete.
Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
So how is this smoothie different than a dessert? It’s thick and creamy like ice cream, but without all the sugar or bad for you ingredients. Although, you can have your healthy ice cream and eat it too.
Cottage Cheese (But Not Just Any Cottage Cheese)
We avoided dairy for quite a while while I was getting my autoimmune disease under control and healing my son’s dairy allergy. Now dairy is back in our healthy recipes rotation. Since cottage cheese is cultured it’s also easier to digest than some other dairy products. We use the Good Culture brand because it’s grass-fed, organic, and has probiotics. Check local grocery stores and if they don’t have it, ask them to start carrying it!
If you don’t have cottage cheese on hand you could add some plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened vanilla yogurt. It will taste more like a strawberry smoothie instead of a cheesecake version.
Choosing Your Milk
This really depends on your personal preference. Grass-fed raw milk can be a good option for those who tolerate it well. Then there’s oat, almond, or cashew milk. I used almond milk in this recipe, but use your favorite milk. You can read more about alternative milk options and which ones I recommend here.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are another common ingredient around our house. I always have a big bag on hand for family favorites like chia seed pudding. This recipe doesn’t call for a large amount, but these tiny seeds still really pack a punch. Chia seeds are filling, and have protein and antioxidants. They also help with hydration. All of these benefits help support a healthy weight.
One interesting fact about chia seeds is their gelling effects may have health benefits. Researchers think this gel action also occurs in the stomach. This then creates a barrier between carbohydrates and enzymes in the stomach to slow the conversion of carbs into sugar.
Collagen Powder
There are so many benefits to collagen powder that I’ve written a whole post on them. Like protein powders, grass-fed collagen powder adds extra protein. It’s also a little more versatile than drinking bone broth, especially on hot days. Collagen is similar to gelatin in its benefits, yet it dissolves in cold water and is a little easier to digest. My family consumes some form of gelatin or collagen daily.
Stevia
There’s some controversy over whether stevia is healthy or not. I go into the whole stevia debate here, but the bottom line is I feel okay using it. Natural sweeteners like maple syrup are a step above processed sugar. However, they’re really high in blood sugar spiking carbs.
Stevia though won’t spike insulin levels and has no carbs. I use stevia in whole leaf form or tinctures made from the leaf but skip the white, highly processed powder.
Put it all in the blender, and there you have it… enjoy!
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Servings
Equipment
Nutrition
Notes
- Substitute ¾ cup frozen blueberries for a blueberry cheesecake take on this smoothie!
- Nutrition info was calculated using almond milk.
What are some of your favorite healthy smoothie ingredients? Have you found ways to sneak in extra protein, fiber, or even veggies?
I cannot get the organic Good Culture cottage cheese by me, is the non-organic still grass fed, etc?
On their website they say the non-organic version is raised “on small family farms” but there’s no mention of being grass-fed or pasture raised. You could ask their company directly though. Cottage cheese is pretty simple to make at home though if you have access to grass-fed milk.
I do not have access to raw milk, though I am trying to find a way. It is illegal in my state. ?
It’s illegal in most states. Some people do a herd share (which is legal), or some farmers sell it labeled as “pet food.” Sometimes you can find it at your local farmers market or ask around and see where you can buy some.
Katie, these are so good. We’ve been having them almost daily. I’ve been tossing in a heaping spoon of Good Culture sour cream too because I love the extra tanginess. Thanks for another excellent recipe!
I haven’t made this yet, but I work for a family with a vegan teen and we use silken tofu in her smoothies. Maybe try it as a substitute. Or, I have had cheesecake made with cashews…perhaps you could use raw cashew butter, although the texture would be different.
The collagen is not 100 % grass fed but grain finished. This is not a good product, and I am rather surprised you recommend it.
I’ve made this for afternoon snack, it was delicious! My kids liked it-Thanks for recipe!
In the words of my oldest child “DELISH!”. This one was a winner! Thanks for another great recipe! (Also, I used organic dark sweet cherries in place of the strawberries and I used dairy milk since it was the only milk I had in hand).
Hi! Anyone tried making this withiutbthe cottage cheese? Is it necessary? Is there an option for replacement? I am avoiding dairy.
Ummm! Yummy!!!
I have always loved anything cheesecake. Now I am 20w pregnant with twins and looking for any new ideas for getting more protein in my diet! I would have made this at 3 in the morning when I first saw the post but I didn’t want to wake up the family by firing up my VitaMix!
Thank you Wellness Mama! This is delicious!!!
This looks delicious, will try it very soon..many thanks
This sounds great and I’m going to make it tomorrow! I would like to know though, if the chia seeds should be soaked before using? Thanks!
This sounds like a great smoothie! My daughter isn’t into smoothies any more so I’ve been putting spinach in brownies. I m going to try this smoothie for myself! Thanks
Hi Katie! I saw this on you IG feed and I made a mental note to make it. That same day I set about making my “Budwig” smoothie for my cancer and realized that I was essentially making something similar to your post! Ha ha! Budwig is two parts cottage cheese mixed with one part flax seed oil. I won’t get into the research of it, but I just thought oh cottage in a smoothie isn’t weird at all lol! Once I mix my cheese and flax I add in fruit and seeds then blend for a thick filling smoothie. I give this to my kids too as I homeschool and have five kids it’s easier just to feed my whole family my anti cancer diet:)
Wonder if I could sub plain Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese? Sounds like a delicious smoothie!
Yep 🙂 I just love cottage cheese for the extra protein
Collagen goes in anything I can possibly get it in at our house! I just put smoothies back on our breakfast rotation, will definitely try this with the kids, as I’m trying to get more recipes for them to use when I have baby #7 in July.