This Berry Banana Baobab Smoothie has been a saving grace this pregnancy!
One of the suggestions my midwife gave me for combating morning sickness (er, all day sickness!) was to increase my Vitamin B6 intake. Until then, I hadn’t purchased or used any baobab powder, simply because it wasn’t something I could find locally.
At least, I didn’t think I could find it locally until I discovered it accidentally at S & H Health Foods (that’s for you, Canadians)! Baobab is very high in both Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C – the vitamin that helps you absorb iron properly – something else I had very low levels of.
Baobab is also extremely high in fiber and has a pleasant, slightly citrus flavor. You only need a very small amount to reap its benefits, so adding just a teaspoon or two a day to your diet has measurable benefits.
S meals were guaranteed to make me sick earlier in this pregnancy, so I first experimented with baobab by adding it to E smoothies. This Berry Banana Baobab Smoothie is my favorite combination. It’s full of nutrients, fruity and refreshing.
When my bananas are nearly brown (but not mushy), I peel and cut them in half, and freeze the chunks. Freezing them at their peak level of sweetness does two things:
- it eliminates the need for a sweetener
- keeps your smoothie cold without needing to add ice
The goal of Northern Nester is to serve up Trim Healthy Mama-friendly recipes that are free from special ingredients, so in some ways, this one is kind of out of place here. I consider baobab to be a “special ingredient” since its not readily available everywhere, but you can leave it out, too. A Berry Banana Smoothie is equally delicious and a great way to enjoy healthy carbs!
Berry Banana Baobab Smoothie | THM: E
This fruity smoothie is a delicious way to enjoy a Trim Healthy Mama E meal or snack! Fresh, energizing, and super easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/2 frozen, very ripe banana
- 1 cup frozen berries (I've used strawberries, red and black raspberries, or a mix)
- 1 cup low-fat (1%) kefir
- 1/2 cup almond or cashew milk
- 1 tbsp collagen
- 1-2 tsp baobab powder
- optional: on-plan sweetener to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
can extra almond milk be used in place of the kefir? i don’t have any kefir. (where do you buy it, and what brands are good?)
Hi Joyce! Yes, you can use extra almond milk instead, although your smoothie might be a little thinner in consistency.
I buy President’s Choice Organic plain 1% fat kefir from Zehrs. For an E meal, you’re looking for a low-fat kefir (1%) that has no added sugar. Hope that helps!
Jacinda, do you leave it out overnight for an extra ferment or just use it as is from the store?
Hi Jen, If you’re using a low-fat kefir (1%), you don’t need to double ferment it, since this smoothie is an E anyway, but I almost always double-ferment mine. It’s just become a habit to leave it our for a day before I put it in the fridge! Double-fermenting low-fat kefir changes the kefir to a Fuel Pull, but the smoothie would still be an E because of the banana.
Can i substitute 0 fat yogurt for kefir?
I’d like to know this also
I did. But I left the collegian out. That’s there I think, for protein. The yogurt has plenty of that. I did everything else the same. It came out really yummy.
How did you measure the yogurt in place of the kefir?
Did it help with morning sickness? Did you notice a difference?
Hi Mary-Ann! It’s hard to say if it’s the baobab that’s helping, or if I’m just feeling better because I’m half way through this pregnancy. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation, but I’m enjoying not feeling nauseous either way!
I’ve been drinking this smoothie nearly every day for months… Not following any particular recipe but just because it is such a nice combination of flavors, and a good way to get my baobab powder in! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing.
Where is S&H Health Foods? I know you’re pretty close to me, geographically, but I’ve never heard of it? I buy my baobab on Amazon!
Can I sub anything for the collagen? Unfortunately it gives me joint pain.
So quick, easy, and yummy! Thank you!
Could you use cottage cheese in place of the Kefir
I’m wondering the same! Made this today without kefir and added 1/2c cottage chz
I love this recipe. I substitute 1/4 c Lemon juice and 1/4 c water for the 1/2 c almond milk. (I love tart drinks!). Thanks for sharing!