Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe
August 3, 2015 by Ginger Hultin MS RDN
Want to revamp your smoothie game? I’m a big fan of a pre- or post-workout smoothie and I love creating different combinations of ingredients to take advantage of the versatility smoothies can provide. One combination I have been loving recently is melon vanilla. Have you ever blended melon into a smoothie? It is SO good. This Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe is powered by cantaloupe and frozen banana and that’s all the sweetness it has in it – no added sugar at all. Smoothies can sometimes sneak in a bunch of sugar due to the sweetness of the fruits, but this one isn’t one of those. You really have to watch beverages to make sure that they’re not loaded with added sugars but when you make your own, you control the ingredients and can ensure they’re high in fiber and nutrients but low in all those extra added calories.Â
Melon isn’t a typical ingredient in many smoothies, but it is such a good addition. I’m breaking it all down for you below so you’ll know exactly how to make this in a moment on your own.Â
Why Cantaloupe?
The reason I am loving this Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe is because of all of the benefits cantaloupe provides! Cantaloupe is such an amazing fruit that is packed with many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and B vitamins. These vitamins are super important to consume daily, as they help your body in the production of tissues and help fight against and reduce your overall risk of diseases.Â
Vitamin A specifically provides cantaloupe with its antioxidant properties and helps prevent inflammation by reducing the amount of free radicals in your body. Additionally, cantaloupe provides numerous health benefits, such as decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, promoting good eye health, and preventing many different diseases. It’s a perfect food to eat every day if you like it.Â
One of my favorite aspects of this smoothie is that it is also a great source of fiber. Not only does fiber help move food through your digestive system, it also helps with satiety; making you feel fuller longer. Adding ingredients that are good sources of fiber to smoothies helps make the smoothies more filling, rather than just being full of sugar like so many are.
This Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe is such a simple and easy way to replenish yourself after a workout or enjoy as a snack mid-day to keep your blood sugar flowing without giving you a sugar crash. Cantaloupe contains potassium, a mineral that provides fuel for a post-workout recovery. Plus, all melons contain a lot of water (around 90%!), making this smoothie super hydrating and low in calories. Overall, I love that the melon, along with the vanilla, provide a super refreshing and nutrient-dense smoothie that can be enjoyed anytime without being too sweet.
Making the Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe
What makes me really love this smoothie is how simple it is to make! Once you have all the ingredients together, all that’s left is tossing them into a blender and you’ll have this delicious smoothie in no time. Plus, this smoothie can be enjoyed any time of the year and contains ingredients that are so easy to obtain.
The Milk
The first ingredient to focus on is the milk. I like my smoothies to have a balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein so using a milk like regular milk (not skim) or soy milk will add a dimension of additional protein and fat. However, these milk options can easily be substituted with your milk preference, just be aware that other milk choices won’t have the same macronutrient levels as regular milk or soy milk. Almond, rice, and coconut actually don’t have any protein (or just a trace). Additionally, with non-dairy milks, make sure you are choosing ones that are unsweetened, as to not overpower the smoothie with added sugars and sweetness. The recipe already calls for vanilla, so choosing sweetened milk is unnecessary.
The ProteinÂ
You can also add protein powder to this smoothie to boost its protein content. First thing in the morning or pre/post workout, protein helps with satiety and energy. I use a pure whey protein powder that has been micro or ultra-filtered and doesn’t have added sweeteners, color, flavor, or vitamins. It’s important to note, though, that whey protein is derived from milk, so it’s not vegan. If you’re looking for a plant-based option, you might want to consider a vegan protein blend—options like pea, hemp, quinoa, or brown rice are great choices. Just keep in mind that some vegan protein powders can be a bit gritty due to their high fiber content, so you might need to experiment to find the one you like best. A drink like my Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe definitely calls for a smooth, light protein powder that leaves no trace.
The Fruit
Cantaloupe isn’t the only type of melon that can be used in this Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe. You can substitute any other type of melon, like honeydew or watermelon, for a similar product and texture.
I also love adding frozen bananas to all of my smoothies, including this Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe. Frozen bananas—and frozen fruit in general—are key for giving smoothies structure and thickness without making them too icy. Using frozen fruit is super convenient and budget-friendly, and you don’t have to worry about it going bad or having to use it up quickly. This recipe is perfect for those overripe bananas sitting on your counter—just toss them in the freezer! Bananas are also packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, making them a fantastic addition to this smoothie.
I’m not a huge fan of added sweeteners, and if sweeteners are needed, I always encourage using natural ones over artificial options. The addition of vanilla to this smoothie adds a hint of sweetness without making it too overpowering. Most smoothies already have plenty of natural sweetness from the fruits, so there’s no need to go overboard with extra sweeteners.
Whip up this Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe today and let me know if you love it!
And if you need more smoothie recipe ideas, check these out:
Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Green Tea Smoothie
Banana Matcha Smoothie
Post Workout Smoothie
Healthy Green Smoothie with Fresh Herbs
Wild Blueberry Vanilla Matcha Smoothie
Banana Melon Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (soy, oat, almond or dairy milk if you like)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup ripe chopped cantaloupe
- 1 scoop protein powder if desired
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend thoroughly until frothy and serve immediately.
Nutrition
2 Comments
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Ginger Hultin,MS, RD, CSO
Thanks for visiting! If you're struggling with a cancer diagnosis, autoimmune condition, gut health problems, or even a medical mystery, nutrition can make a HUGE difference in your day-to-day life. I run a virtual, concierge private practice where I partner with my clients over time to help them improve their health through nutrition. Be sure to visit the blog for easy, plant-based, anti-inflammatory recipes and our "Resources" page for a variety of self-paced programs, books, e-books, and nutrition podcast episodes.
Yum!! This smoothie looks so good and refreshing and a great option for a post-workout meal. I look forward to trying it!
Fun! It is so perfect after a workout – thanks!