This is hands-down one of the most popular smoothies that I get asked about, and that I’ve heard from so many friends is one of their favourites on the blog. Lemon Meringue Pie was always a favourite dessert of mine as a kid, and I remember my Gran would always make them for special occasions. I was always more of a fan of the meringue itself than the lemon curd or pie crust, and yes, in case you wondered, I was also the type of kid who would eat the icing on a cupcake and leave the rest. (This irks my adult self because food waste is one of my biggest pet peeves!)
Over time I’ve evolved the recipe to make it more nutrient-dense and nutritionally balanced. Here’s what’s great about it:
- High-quality plant-based protein powder will help keep you feeling satiated, and works to help repair and re-build muscle. You can use a protein powder containing greens if you like (more antioxidants and phytochemicals – hooray!!!!) but know that this will make the smoothie’s colour look a bit green. It’ll still taste lovely though!
- Bananas provide natural sweetness and create a creamy consistency, while also containing potassium which we need for maintaining a healthy fluid balance in our bodies. Bananas also contain B-vitamins that help us deal with stress and improve mood. (Note: see below for a modification if you prefer your smoothies to be banana-less.)
- Lemons pack a ton of vitamin C which we need for healthy immune function. Vitamin C is also a super powerful antioxidant that counteracts free radicals within our bodies, keeping our cells healthy.
- Chia seeds are loaded with fibre and omega-3 healthy fats. Smoothies containing fibre and fat keep us satiated for longer, and help to keep our blood sugar levels stable so we don’t feel as though we’re riding an energy rollercoaster all day long.
About that banana…
You’re probably thinking “this is supposed to be a low sugar smoothie and she’s telling me to put a banana in it?”
Hear me out – you’ve got options here. While bananas add creaminess, it’s very true that they also add sugar – albeit natural sugars. Combined with the fibre sources in this smoothie, this isn’t going to spike blood sugar levels like it would if you were to drink something like an all-fruit smoothie or a juice. However, if you’re looking for a banana-less option, the recipe still works. A quality plant-based protein powder (such as vanilla flavoured Vega Sport Performance Protein or Vega Essentials) that contains natural sweeteners like stevia will achieve a very similar taste. From there, if you still want to achieve a really creamy consistency, you can also replace the banana with some coconut-based or almond-based yogurt.
Low Sugar Lemon Meringue Pie Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- scoop vanilla Vega Sport Performance Protein or Vega Essentials
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 frozen, peeled banana
- 1 lemon, peeled, sliced in half (out white parts and inner seeds removed)
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- a few drops of almond extract (optional)
- silvered almonds and toasted coconut flakes, to garnish (optional)
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for the garnishes and ice to your blender. Blend until smooth.
- Blend in the ice cubes until no chunks remain.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: drinks + smoothies
- Method: blender
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