Banana Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie

We play this smoothie on repeat at our house, especially during cold and flu season. It’s one of those blends that sounds good when nothing else does and it's great for giving your immune system and vitamin-packed boost. If one of us is really sick, I add a scoop or two of electrolyte powder and a scoop or two of crushed ice—both for the hydration factor and to make this even frostier and more soothing on a sore throat.

But don’t feel like you have to be under the weather to enjoy this vanilla-orange-creamsicle-inspired refreshment. It’s a sunny delight any time of year. I love the nostalgic taste, which takes me back to teenage memories of Orange Julius at the mall.  

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Pro Tip 1: Frozen bananas will make your smoothie extra creamy and dreamy.

Pro Tip 2: Pour leftovers into popsicle molds for delicious homemade freezer pops.

Picking Your Protein

I've boiled down everything you need to know into a comprehensive blog post guide called, Picking the Perfect Protein Powder. It covers the most common expert recommendations regarding protein powder for Thyroid Thrivers, as well as what to watch out for and what to avoid. We delve into the essential role of protein for thyroid function, explore the diverse types of protein powders available, and I provide some simple criteria to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your unique needs and dietary restrictions. 

No time to read it? No worries. Here are my favorite handpicked protein powders to get you started:

• Plant-based: Earth Chimp Plain & Unsweetened
• Animal-based:  Be Well by Kelly LeVeque, Unflavored Grass-fed Protein Powder 
• Collagen-based*: Great Lakes Collagen Peptides

*Collagen is an incomplete protein. 

If you want to know why I like these options, head over to my complete guide to protein powders. 

What You Need to Know About Collagen

I'm a big fan of collagen peptides which are beneficial to skin, teeth, nails, hair, joints, bones, muscles, the liver, the adrenals, and in particular, the intestinal walls. I almost always add collagen to my smoothies and morning matcha, for these benefits, and for added protein. It dissolves easily and is relatively flavorless. Collagen does, however, come with one caveat: It's not a complete protein. 

Collagen lacks some of the nine essential amino acids necessary to use as building blocks for our bones, muscles, skin, cartilage, and organs. This doesn't mean collagen is bad, or that the protein in it doesn't benefit you in other ways. It just means that as a standalone protein powder used to build muscle (and other tissues), it's not the best option.

Try combining collagen protein with other types of complete protein to get all those essential amino acids and the most benefit. 

Thyroid-healthy Recipe Highlights:

• Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C which may increase your absorption of thyroid medication. Also, those with hyperthyroidism may need extra vitamin C as it is more quickly depleted from tissues. In addition, a study recently shared in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism stated, “In patients with hypothyroidism and gastrointestinal pathology, vitamin C improves the abnormalities in serum free T4, T3, and TSH concentrations.”
• Oranges are also a good source of fiber and several other vitamins and minerals including thiamine, folate, and potassium.
• Bananas are a fiber-rich and nutrient-dense fruit and are a significant source of potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Magnesium and other thyroid-supporting nutrients.
• Coconut products such as coconut milk contain a wide array of vitamins and minerals, in addition to healthy fats known as MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) or MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids). Consumption of these fats has been touted for various health benefits such as brain health, weight loss, and cholesterol balance. Coconut can also be a positive dietary substitution for refined carbs and sugar, which can diminish thyroid and overall health.
• Collagen Peptides (a.k.a. Collagen Hydrolysate) is a processed form of gelatin that dissolves in liquids, hot or cold. It will not congeal or thicken liquids like gelatin does, and has little to no flavor, which makes it ideal for stirring into smoothies. While collagen is not a complete protein, it does provide us with several health-supporting amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Collagen hydrolysate is essentially gelatin, broken down into smaller particles. Gelatin and collagen are primarily composed of amino acids/proteins, which are beneficial to skin, teeth, nails, hair, joints, bones, muscles, the liver, the adrenals, and in particular, the intestinal walls. Glycine (the primary amino acid in bone broth) has been shown to be particularly beneficial to health, including mental health and brain function. Glutamine, another amino acid found in collagen, has been shown to help repair fissures in the intestinal walls (a.k.a. leaky gut).

Happy thriving and enjoy the recipe (below)!

P.S. Need more thyroid-friendly recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered. My Thyroid-friendly Everyday eCookbook features over 50 quick and easy, thyroid-friendly recipes your whole family will love. To take a peek at what’s inside, CLICK HERE.

 

More Refreshing Thyroid Healthy Drinks:

• The Virgin Martini
• Citrus Chia Fresca
• Cranberry Zinger
• Chocolate Protein Smoothie