Getting your kids to eat a healthy breakfast is not the easiest thing to do, especially when the alternative is a big bowl of sugary sweet cereal. A replacement is one of these amaz-i-licious smoothies that taste terrific and will provide kids with the nutrition they need to boost their brainpower during the school day.

Though not necessary, these smoothies call for the addition of a good protein powder, but how do you know which one to buy? Here are a few tips:

Make sure your protein powder has the following:

• Low Fat (1-5 grams is okay)
• Low Carb (1-5 grams is okay)
• High Protein (normally about 20-30 grams per serving)
• Stick with no more than 7-8 ingredients that you can actually pronounce
• Choose a concentrate or casein protein powder – these take longer to digest allowing the amino acids to work longer

Now that you’ve chosen your protein powder, here are three delicious, kid-friendly smoothie recipes you can try this week:

Tropical Smoothie 

Organic milk – whole, almond, or coconut: 1 cup

Whole milk organic yogurt (plain or vanilla): ½ cup

Frozen banana – partially thawed: 1

Pineapple chunks: ½ cup

Unsweetened coconut: 2 tablespoons

Protein powder: 1 scoop

Organic lecithin powder: 1 teaspoon 

Add all ingredients to blender in order and blend, gradually increasing speed to high then blending for 30 seconds.

Brain Berry Smoothie

100% pomegranate juice: ½ cup

Whole milk organic yogurt (plain or vanilla): ½ cup

Frozen organic strawberries (strawberries are #1 on the dirty dozen list): ½ cup

Frozen organic blueberries: ½ cup

Protein powder: 1 scoop

Organic lecithin powder: 1 teaspoon

Add all ingredients to blender in order and blend, gradually increasing speed to high then blending for 30 seconds.

Tea & Berry Be Smoothie 

Organic milk – whole, almond, or coconut: 1 cup

Ginkgo biloba leaf Ginkgo biloba (L.): 1 teaspoon

Green tea Camellia sinensis (L.): 1 teaspoon

Organic whole milk yogurt (plain or vanilla): ½ cup

Frozen organic strawberries: 1 cup

Frozen mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries & raspberries): 1 cup

Chia seeds: 1 tablespoon

Slivered almonds: ¼ cup

Protein powder: 1 scoop

Add ginkgo and green tea to milk and steep overnight in the refrigerator. Strain out the herbs in the morning, and add the infused milk to blender. Add all ingredients to blender in order and blend, gradually increasing speed to high then blending for 30 seconds.

On a smoothie kick? ACHS CSO Erika Yigzaw has great recipes for kale smoothies here. 

Looking for more ways to help your kids eat their way to better grades? Join me in my upcoming webinar on February 14 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a guest blogger for American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.