The smoothies do contain between 24-28g of protein and can be used as a meal replacement. It is important to note that they are not recommended to be used for more than one meal replacement a day as it is essential to eat a healthy balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables and high quality protein sources. This smoothie would make a great breakfast or snack alternative and would be ideal for if you are travelling.

There is no added sugar in either of the smoothie or pancake mixes, however natural sugars found in superfood powders such as mesquite powder is what influences the sugar percentage. These sugars are completely healthy and will not cause spikes in your blood sugar levels. The high percentage of protein in each mix will also balance out the amount of natural sugar as well.

While the carbohydrate component is over 10g, this is coming directly from the rice protein used and from superfood powders such as mesquite and lucuma. These carbohydrates are great sources and very good for your overall health and wellbeing. Even if you are aiming to lose weight, these carbohydrates will not impact or slow that down in any way.

I choose to use pea and rice proteins for many reasons, both are gluten and dairy free and great for people with food allergies and intolerances. Both are very hypoallergenic, highly digestible, high protein, high fibre, low sugar, feed gut bacteria, balance blood sugar levels, anti-inflammatory, contain all essential amino acids and have great nutrient/mineral profiles.

No chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, artificial flavours, colour or preservatives have been used and no genetically modified products have been added. Both protein powders are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and trace elements that are easily absorbed and digested by the body.

Rice protein has been used in the smoothies as it mixes well, whereas pea protein has been used in the pancakes to hold together the batter to prevent it from becoming crumbly as no flour has been added.

Additional foods can be added to these products to further increase the nutritional profiles.

Smoothies

Fresh fruit (i.e. banana, strawberries) can be added to the smoothies before blending. Additional spices such as cinnamon, ginger or turmeric would also blend in nicely. A shot of espresso or a heaped spoon of nut/seed butter would also blend well.

Pancakes

Additional spices such as cinnamon, ginger or turmeric mix in well. Fresh fruit and nut/seed butters go great for topping pancake before eating.

These products are approximately 80% organic, however ingredients such as aluminium free baking powder and pure vanilla powder do not specifically say organic even though they are purchased from health food companies/stores. The products that specifically state that they are organic have been noted in the ingredients list on the packaging.

The mixes themselves are vegan as no dairy, animal products, honey or gelatin have been added. It is recommended that you use an egg to bind the pancake mix as it holds together the pancake much easier than a flax egg, however vegans may wish to try their preferred egg replacement option. Smoothies can be made on water or nut milks to create a vegan friendly drink.

Freeze-dried strawberry powder that contains no fillers, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives just 100% strawberries has been used therefore keeping intact the high antioxidant and vitamin C content.