Once upon a time, when I was deep into an ultra low-carb lifestyle, I got into the habit of making fruit-free smoothies. It may sound a little unusual but it is possible!

These days I don’t follow such a strict regime, but I still like to keep my sugar intake from fruit on the lower side. That’s how this recipe came about: a creamy, fruit-free blend thickened with avocado, naturally sweetened protein powder, and just a touch of raw honey if you like (which comes with it’s own health benefits).

It was also after I had a taste of matcha gelato and couldn’t get the idea out of my head!

Think of this Vanilla Macadamia Protein Matcha as a low-carb, high-fat smoothie that’s both satisfying and energising, perfect for a light breakfast or a nourishing snack. Matcha brings a gentle caffeine boost and a hit of antioxidants, while macadamia butter adds that gorgeous buttery richness to round it all out.

For protein, my favourite brand is Bare Blends – they do both a whey-based and a plant-based option, and both are excellent. As for matcha, I’m currently using one my brother brought back from Japan (how sweet is that?!). If you’re looking to source your own, I recommend Zen Wonders for pure, high-quality matcha. I’m also a big fan of the Pearl Matcha Collagen Powder, which makes a delicious latte with the bonus of collagen too.