Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie (With a Secret Ingredient)

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!

What are some of your favorite healthy smoothie ingredients? Have you found ways to sneak in extra protein, fiber, or even veggies?