Keto Strawberry Smoothie with Almond Milk

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This keto smoothie with almond milk is bursting with strawberry flavor. It’s so rich and dreamy, you won’t believe it’s healthy and low-carb! It’s perfect as a keto and low-FODMAP breakfast, as a snack or post work out smoothie and it takes just minutes to make.

Shake glass of strawberry almond milk smoothie with a berry on the rim and a container of berries next to the glass.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredients
Are strawberries keto?
Are strawberries low-FODMAP?
Are strawberries good for you?
Low-FODMAP milk alternatives
Instructions
How to make an AIP smoothie
How to make smoothies creamy
Can this be made into a strawberry smoothie bowl?
What are the best greens for smoothies?
Variations and add-ins
FAQ
Other berry recipes you might like
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Variations and add-ins
💬 Comments

Out of all of my keto and low-FODMAP breakfast recipes, this is definitely a favorite. It’s a luscious almond milk strawberry smoothie that’s so good, it fills you up and is ready in just a few minutes. Toss the ingredients in your blender and you have a quick and easy weekday breakfast. Be indulgent and top it with homemade Low-carb Whipped Cream.

Any leftover strawberries can be used to make dessert! Make a delicous Keto Strawberry Clafoutis to have for brunch or an impressive gluten-free dessert.

Why you’ll love this recipe

There are so many reasons to love healthy fruit smoothies:

Dairy-free – this keto berry smoothie is made with almond milk and coconut milk. If you’re sensitive to coconut milk, you can certainly use heavy whipping cream or make this with only nut milk.
Savory and sweet flavors – strawberry and coconut is a match made in heaven - a balanced combination of sweet and savory
Special diet friendly – this is a low-carb and low-FODMAP smoothie recipe that is also paleo and Whole30 (without added sweetener). It can be made with just coconut milk for those on an AIP diet plan.
Diabetic friendly – add to your list of smoothies for diabetics. It’s naturally a sugar-free smoothie that is sweetened with only strawberries and your favorite alternative sweetener. It's so satisfying, without causing a spike in blood sugar.
Weight loss – this is a great keto smoothie for weight loss, as it's high in healthy fats and low in carbs

Ingredients

This is a great basic recipe for a keto strawberry smoothie without yogurt. Below, I include many options to create your own masterpiece, but I enjoy this smoothie just as is. All you need are:

Strawberries – fresh or frozen work great
Almond milk – (or other nut milk such as Milkadamia)
Coconut milk – full fat coconut milk (or use more nut milk)
Vanilla extract – sweet, floral and enhances the flavor of other ingredients
Sweetener of choice – I use stevia or monkfruit sweetener
Ice – optional, especially if using frozen berries

Whole and hulled strawberries and tops, on a wood board with a strawberry huller tool.

Are strawberries keto?

If you just started a keto diet, you’ll be pleased to know that strawberries are a keto-friendly berry. They’re not as low in carbs as raspberries, but are a healthy addition to a keto lifestyle if eaten in moderation. If you are interested in learning more about the keto lifestyle, take a look at my Keto Resourses page.

Are strawberries low-FODMAP?

Yes! In fact, they are one of the only foods that contain zero detectable FODMAPs. One serving is about 12 strawberries and is most likely well tolerated by those with IBS at that serving size.

Are strawberries good for you?

Strawberries are a very healthy, low-glycemic fruit that are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

They are very high in vitamin C. Eating 8 berries provides more than eating an entire orange.

Low-FODMAP milk alternatives

There are many milk alternatives for those following a low-FODMAP diet and/or need to eliminate lactose. These include lactose-free milk (which contains a high carb content), nut milks (almond and macadamia are my favorites), coconut milk (in moderation especially during phase I), hemp milk, and grain milks such as rice and oat milks (which aren’t low carb).

Any of these are great options for making low-FODMAP smoothies.

Instructions

What I love about smoothies is that they are so simple!

Dehull the strawberries (I LOVE this strawberry huller shown in the image above).

Almond milk smoothie ingredients in nutribullet cup ready to blend.

Place all ingredients in a blender (I use my Nutribullet if using frozen strawberries or my Vitamix if adding ice cubes)

Low carb smoothie in a Nutribullet blender cup on a grey board sitting next to the blender.

Blend for 20 seconds, until smooth and creamy

TIP: If using fresh strawberries, it may be best to slice them in half so they blend easier.

TIP: Ice cubes are optional, especially if using frozen strawberries. If using a Nutribullet, it may be best to let the frozen berries sit in the almond milk mixture for a few minutes to soften them slightly. And, if you choose to use ice in your Nutribullet, it's best to use crushed ice, rather than cubes. If you're using a larger blender, like a Vitamix, it can blend ice cubes and frozen berries easily.

How to make an AIP smoothie

This recipe is so easy to create an AIP-friendly smoothie. Simply use an AIP-friendly sweetener and substitute nut milk for additional coconut milk and/or coconut water. Strawberries are also included on the AIP food list, so whip up a creamy treat and indulge. Strawberries and coconut are just pure bliss.

Strawberry smoothie in a shake glass on a wood board with strawberries and shaved coconut scattered at the base.

How to make smoothies creamy

Thick, creamy smoothies are the best! Here are a few ideas to help you get the richest smoothie ever:

Use frozen fruit – the ice crystals in frozen fruit give structure to the blended ingredients, creating a milkshake-like texture
Add avocado – add ¼ - ½ an avocado to add a creamy, dreamy texture. And, no worries, the flavor is easy to hide with your other ingredients.
Yogurt – this is a common go-to for smoothies and adds probiotics, while imparting a silky texture
Nut butter or soaked nuts – the fats in nuts are a great thickener. Soaking raw nuts and rinsing them afterward makes them easier to blend and also drastically lowers the lectin content that can cause issues for some people.
Chia or flax seeds – both of these are superb natural thickeners and blend well with liquids. However, it’s best to let them soak in water for 5-10 minutes to soften before adding them.
Jam – your favorite jam can sweeten the smoothie and the pectin acts as a thickener
Use cold full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream – when chilled, these will whip up like whipped cream, creating a smooth, thick texture. This is also best for dairy-free smoothie bowls.

Can this be made into a strawberry smoothie bowl?

Absolutely, yes. You can make a healthy, decadent strawberry bowl of bliss that’s perfect for breakfast. Frozen berries are best for this, but fresh berries work, as well. I recommend starting with half of the liquid, so the mixture stays thick. Adding nut butter or using chilled full fat coconut milk will yield the best results.

What are the best greens for smoothies?

Do you feel like your smoothie isn't complete without adding healthy greens? The best greens for smoothies are leafy green vegetables that have a mild taste. Add ½ - 1 cup of fresh, raw leaves per serving.

Baby kale – these little leaves are packed full of nutrients and are easy to find. If you don’t have baby kale, you can use mature kale, as well.
Spinach – you can use fresh or frozen spinach in smoothies. However, if you’re using almond milk, you may want to stick with lower oxalate greens like kale if you consume smoothies on a regular basis. Both spinach and almond milk are high oxalate foods, which can lead to kidney stones and other health issues. If you need to watch your oxalate content or consume a lot of spinach, almond milk or other high oxalate foods, consider adding other vegetables for smoothies or use an alternative to almond milk, such as macadamia milk, which is very low in oxalates.
Collards – can be a little fibrous and bitter, so use a small amount
Chard – these leaves are packed full of minerals and fiber and are a fine addition to most recipes. They have a soft texture that’s easy to blend.
Dandelion greens – the youngest leaves have the best flavor and are the most tender. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Looking straight down into glass of smoothie with shaved coconut sprinkled on top, a strawberry on the glass, and strawberries on the sideboard.

Variations and add-ins

Keto smoothies are so versatile. There are many ways to blend up smoothie magic and add more nutrition. It’s fun to play around with different ingredients to create your own favorite.

Nut butter – one of my favorite variations is to make a berry smoothie with peanut butter
Collagen shake – putting collagen protein in smoothies can add amino acids that aid in tissue repair
Post-workout smoothie – is a great way to refuel and ensure faster recovery. Add some protein such as protein powder or nut butter. Include some electrolytes to blend in with the fruit.
Add avocado – half an avocado adds creaminess and nutrients
Chocolate – add some homemade Chocolate Sauce, or blend in ½ teaspoon of raw cacao powder for the best chocolate strawberry smoothie
Swap out the vanilla – try adding almond extract instead
Use different berries – for a mixed berry smoothie or replace the strawberries with your favorite berry
Herbs and spices – such as crushed lavender flowers or thyme. Add some powdered ginger, cinnamon or rose water.
MCT powder – is a keto-friendly supplement for some extra energy

FAQ

Is coconut milk low-FODMAP?

Yes – coconut milk and coconut cream are considered FODMAP-friendly milks in serving sizes of ¼ cup. Coconut contains oligosaccharides and may cause digestive disturbance in larger serving sizes.

Is almond milk low-FODMAP?

Yes! It makes a wonderful low-FODMAP milk alternative. It's considered FODMAP-friendly in servings up to 1 cup.

Are almonds low-FODMAP?

Yes – they are low-FODMAP nuts when keeping portion size to 10 nuts or less.

Are strawberries berries?

Actually, no. Like raspberries and blackberries, they are considered a ‘false fruit’, or aggregate fruit. A strawberry is a multiple fruit, consisting of tiny individual fruits embedded in its flesh. It also stems from a flower with multiple ovaries, rather than just a single ovary like other true berries.

Do you have a Nutribullet? I use this handy personal blender for shakes, amazing salsas, sauces and dressings. You can use it to make Low-FODMAP Tomatillo Green Salsa Verde, a flavorful Pineapple Habanero Sauce or an easy Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing. I also use it to blend the batter for my Keto Strawberry Clafoutis dessert.

Tall shake glass half empty with a red and white striped straw in it and a cut strawberry sitting on the glass rim.

Other berry recipes you might like

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