Strawberries n' Cream Protein Smoothie (Gut-Friendly, No Artificial Sweeteners)

Strawberries n' Cream Protein Smoothie

This is the smoothie that started it all. Strawberries and cream was the first flavor combination I ever made with my Strawberry Digestive Support Protein, and it is still my go-to after years of recipe testing. It is thick enough to eat with a spoon, sweet enough to feel like dessert, and packed with protein and probiotics to support your gut.

If you grew up eating strawberries and cream (or those strawberry cream candies with the wrapper that looked like a strawberry), this smoothie will take you right back. Except this version has over 28g of plant protein, no refined sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and a probiotic in every sip.

Why This Smoothie Works for Gut Health

Most protein smoothies are loaded with ingredients that can actually aggravate your gut: artificial sweeteners, gums, natural flavors, and fillers. My Strawberry Digestive Support Protein has none of those. It is flavored with real strawberry juice powder and coconut sugar, contains Bacillus coagulans (a spore-forming probiotic that survives blending and stomach acid), and uses European golden pea protein with 100% lectin removal so it does not cause the gas and bloating that other pea proteins can.

The Greek yogurt adds more probiotics and a creamy, tangy base. The frozen banana provides natural sweetness and makes the smoothie thick and fluffy. And the frozen strawberries are loaded with polyphenols that feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Tips for the Perfect Strawberries n' Cream Smoothie

• Use frozen fruit, not fresh. Frozen strawberries and a frozen banana are what give this smoothie its thick, ice-cream-like texture. Fresh fruit with ice just is not the same.

• Make it spoonable. The thicker your smoothie, the easier it is to eat slowly. Eating slowly is one of the biggest things you can do for your digestion. I spend a full hour eating my smoothie every day. If you are chugging a smoothie in 10 minutes, you are giving your gut a lot of food to process all at once, and that is a common cause of post-smoothie bloating.

• Use a spoon, not a straw. Straws make you drink faster. A spoon forces you to slow down. I use small, long, skinny spoons to pace myself even more.

• Layer the whipped cream. Pour half the smoothie, add a layer of whipped cream, then pour the rest on top. It creates a swirl effect that looks beautiful and gives you bites of cream throughout.

• Make your own whipped cream. Store-bought whipped cream contains gums, sugar, and additives. Organic heavy cream whipped inside a whipped cream charger gives you pure, clean whipped cream with one ingredient.
  
  

Substitutions

• Dairy-free: swap Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt and use coconut whipped cream or skip the whipped cream entirely

• Lower sugar: reduce or omit the banana and add a few extra ice cubes for thickness

• Higher protein: add a tablespoon of cashew butter or sunflower seed butter for healthy fats and a few extra grams of protein

• Thinner consistency: add more milk of choice until you reach your preferred drinkability
  
  

This Is Just 1 of 20 Gut-Friendly Smoothie Recipes

If you love this Strawberries n' Cream Smoothie, I have 19 more just like it in my Gut-Loving Smoothie Recipes e-book. Every recipe uses my Digestive Support Protein, real whole-food ingredients, and is designed to support your gut health. Flavors include Thick Brownie Batter, Dubai Chocolate Pistachio, Samoa Cookie, Caramel Latte, Birthday Cake, and so many more.

Download My 20 Gut-Loving Smoothie Recipes E-Book

Storage

This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after blending. If you need to store it, pour it into an airtight jar and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will separate slightly, so give it a good stir or re-blend before drinking. Do not add the whipped cream topping until you are ready to eat.

Dietary Information

This smoothie is gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free (depending on milk choice), and refined sugar-free. The Strawberry DSP is free from all nine major allergens. With Greek yogurt, it is not vegan or dairy-free. With coconut yogurt and plant-based milk, it becomes fully vegan and dairy-free.