By Chris Newport, Head Coach & Sports Nutritionist

I love peanut butter.

Yes, I know, I’ve said that before. I especially love Peanut Butter & Co products. Not only are they delicious, but they support women’s cycling!

They have a great seasonal flavor called Pumpkin Spice. If you can’t find it, you can use regular peanut butter and add pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. I really love cinnamon, so I added extra.

So when I got back from a bike workout, I needed something fast before heading into the office. Usually I’ll make a quick protein shake, but I’m out of protein powder, so I had to use some whole foods options.

We generally keep several cans of different types of beans on hand, so garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) were going to have to do the trick. Not only do they have protein, but some complex carbohydrates necessary for replacing lost glycogen in my workout and some filling fiber. White beans would work well too.

If you need other options for whole foods to go in your smoothie that aren’t powders, check out this blog. Or if you wonder about whether you should use a protein powder or not, check out this blog.

For the liquid base, we happened to have 1% organic milk in the fridge, which has high quality protein in it (and the benefit of extra amino acids beneficial to supporting muscles). You can use whatever milk you have on hand. To add some sweetness and extra potassium, I added half of a very ripe banana. You could also use a date for the same purpose.

With 333 calories, 10g of fiber, 16g of protein, 11g fat and 47g carbs, this works as a great post-workout recovery smoothie or a balanced breakfast leading up to a busy day. Enjoy!

Print Pin

Pumpkin Pie Spice Peanut Butter Smoothie

Course Beverages

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 6

Servings athlete

Calories

Ingredients

3/4 cup 1% organic milk or milk of your choice
1/2 cup garbanzo beans rinsed, or white beans
1 T Pumpkin Spice peanut butter or nut butter of your choice
1/2 banana
1/2 tsp cinnamon optional

Instructions

Place all ingredients in your high speed blender, blend until smooth (about 30 seconds-1 minute on high), and enjoy!