Banana & Date Protein Smoothie

The children love sandwiches for lunch, but all this bread is getting me down throughout the summer holidays! So I’m having my ‘go-to’ smoothie for lunch - Banana & Date Protein Smoothie.

Instead of using protein powder, I use hydrolysed collagen protein powder and chia seeds. I just don’t like the flavour of protein powders. I started using collagen powder because our family has a history of arthritis and I get twinges in my hands and my knees. I definitely notice when I haven't had enough collagen and the aches and pains start to come back.

I use Great Lakes Gelatin Co. Collagen Hydrolysate - "Hydrolysed collagen is the same collagen found naturally in bones, skin, and cartilage. It is a bioactive product containing 90% protein and is easily assimilated by the body." You can't taste the powder at all in this smoothie.

If you need a vegan alternative to using collagen as a protein source, use pea protein (try Nuzest).

Ingredients: 1 ripe banana - frozen Handful of ice cubes 250ml of almond milk 1 tablespoon of coconut yoghurt or Greek yoghurt 1 Medjool date, soaked in boiling water for 5 mins 6 almonds 1 tablespoon of chia seeds 2 tablespoons of collagen powder . Whizz everything together and serve!