Holiday Cheer in a Glass: Protein Vegan Eggnog Smoothie
If you love eggnog but don’t love the added sugar and heavy cream, you will love my Protein Vegan Eggnog Smoothie.
Let me paint you a picture: it’s Christmas morning, it’s snowing outside, and the kids are playing with goodies from their stockings. You have one moment to yourself. This smooth was made for this moment! You collect all your ingredients and make my Protein Vegan Eggnog Smoothie, satisfying that cozy winter morning eggnog craving without spiking your blood sugar first thing in the morning.
Eggnog is one of those holiday treats that I just can’t give up… but, when I take a look at the ingredients, I can’t enjoy it as much as I’d like to. The holidays are a time to allow yourself to enjoy a treat (or 10), so that’s why I created this Protein Vegan Eggnog Smoothie; nutrient-dense, filled with protein, fibre and antioxidants, this smoothie will satisfy your sweet cravings while avoiding that blood sugar crash. It will give you the nutrients you need to stay energized during the holidays. This smoothie is perfect for a festive pick-me-up or a cozy winter morning. It contains all the traditional flavours of eggnog wrapped up in a delicious vegan smoothie with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Protein Vegan Eggnog Smoothie Recipe
Vegan, Gluten-Free & Nut-Free
Prep time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups milk of choice (I like oat milk)
- 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Power (my favourite is Genuine Health, use code GHJesse20 for 20% off)
- 1 banana, diced
- ½ cup frozen steamed cauliflower
- 4 medjool dates, pits removed
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch ground cloves
Directions
- Place all ingredients in your blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Pour into your favourite Christmas glass and enjoy!
Choosing a Protein Powder
I know that choosing a protein powder can be very overwhelming. Social media and news outlets are constantly debating whether it’s healthy or not, which brands are best, arguing that they are full of lead and other heavy metals… scaring consumers into not getting any at all. After doing lots and lots of research on protein powders, I have found my favourites and am happy to share them with you!
There are certain things to look for when shopping for a protein powder:
- Type of Protein Source: whey, plant-based, etc., you may have to try several out to know which type is best for you.
- Third-Party Testing: supplements are not always regulated properly, so it is important that you ensure you are getting high-quality protein. Look for certifications on the bottle.
- Ingredients: avoid artificial flavours, high sugar, gums, and other fillers. Look for ones where the protein source is the FIRST ingredient.
- Protein Per Serving: aim for 20-30g of protein per scoop.
After trying many powders, my overall favourite is fermented organic vegan proteins+ by Genuine Health. This company uses only high-quality ingredients sourced from natural and sustainable sources, and it tastes great, too! Use my code GHJesse20 to get 20% off all orders from the Canadian website.
What’s Wrong with Store-Bought Eggnog Anyway?
You might be thinking, making an eggnog smoothie seems unnecessary when I can just buy a carton of eggnog from the store. The thing is, cartons of eggnog are FULL of sugar, artificial flavours, additives, damaged fats and artificial colours.
Take a look here at the Eggnog ingredient list:
Water, Sugars (sugar/glucose-fructose), Milk Ingredients, Modified Milk Ingredients, Frozen Yolk (egg), Natural And Artificial Flavour, Nutmeg, Salt, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow Fcf, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Dipotassium Phosphate.
According to Zhang (2016), artificial colours added to food pose several serious risks to human health, like organ damage, allergic reactions, cancer and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In my opinion, if you can make a healthier version of it that maintains the same delicious flavours, why not do it?! This way, you can save on sugar so that you can still enjoy a decadent Christmas dessert (or two). 
More Healthy Christmas Alternatives
Free Healthy Christmas Recipes Cookbook
You don’t have to fight those cravings! With my healthy Christmas desserts, you can indulge without feeling guilty. Say goodbye to emotional eating or overindulging on sugary treats and hello to delicious, nutrient-rich desserts that align with your health goals.
Raw Vegan Mini Eggnog Tarts with Gingerbread Crust
Taste all the flavours of the holidays with these delicious Raw Vegan Mini Eggnog Tarts with Gingerbread Crust! These combine two of my favourite things in one: gingerbread and eggnog… What more could you ask for? They only take 20 minutes to prep, you pop them in the fridge, and they are ready to devour in just 2 hours. These tarts are made with cashews, which are a powerhouse of nutrients, protein and healthy fats. Don’t miss out on this delicious holiday treat!
Dairy Free Chai Spice Cupcakes
Sweet with a little bit of spice, these cupcakes taste just like you’re drinking a creamy chai latte. Made with lots of warming spices, these treats will be perfect for a cold Christmasy morning. I use coconut sugar in this recipe as it has a lower glycemic index of only 35, compared to regular sugar at 65. With a little bit of nut butter or yogurt, this is a perfectly balanced breakfast for the holidays!
Oatmeal Eggnog Cookies
Love the flavour of eggnog but aren’t a huge fan of the drink? Well, you have to try my Oatmeal Eggnog Cookies. These cookies are filled with holiday flavours that you would get in a store-bought oatmeal cookie, like nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla, but these ones do not miss out on the health benefits! They are soft, chewy and will be a hit for the whole family.
