AIP Copycat Carnation Instant Breakfast Shake Mix
This AIP Copycat Carnation Instant Breakfast Shake Mix is a total throwback.
I don’t think it’s even called Carnation Instant Breakfast anymore, but that is the powdered packet drink mix that I knew and loved as an 80’s and 90’s kid. Mom would throw a packet of that powdery concoction at us to mix with water and then go on about our days.
Except this version is 100% Paleo with both Autoimmune Protocol AND Whole30 options!
Gut-loving, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, fillings and chemical-free, too.
And yes, I know you’re not supposed to have meal replacements on Whole30, but not everyone tolerates 3 solid meals a day or has time for it.
So this is just my way of saying – yo, if you’re starving and can’t make it ’til breaky, lunch, or dinner, this is a great, quick occasional hunger buster to save your blood sugar from slipping through the cracks and help you make it to the next meal without going to snag some crappy fast food or biting someone’s head off or chewing your fingernails or something worse !
It also works great as a coffee (Paleo) or dandelion tea (AIP) creamer.
A simple snack solution.
Lately I’ve been trying to better manage my blood sugar dips and peaks in an effort to keep my groany hormones happier, so something quick, fast, and ready to mix like this has been a lifesaver.
The start up cost to buy all of the ingredients in bulk is a bit pricy at first, but the ingredients will last a long time in your pantry, and can be used for other recipes and purposes too!
I love that all you have to do is scoop your ingredients into a 6-cup storage container (and make a temporarily super pretty art project which resembles sparkly sand layering to gawk at for a few moments) then shake it up, boo.
Though if you do have time to commit a few extra moments, I highly recommend blending the dry mix up in a food processor or blender.
This will lend a much smoother and finer consistency which blends more easily later when you use the mix with water before serving.
To serve this AIP Copycat Carnation Instant Breakfast Shake Mix:
OPTION 1: For a super quick method, I scoop 3/4 cup of the powder into a 2-cup mason jar then add 1 cup of cold water. Then I seal the jar with a lid and shake, shake, shake it up baby!
This method does leave some lumps usually though that end up at the bottom of the glass when I’m done, so I add a splash more water when I get to the bottom of the glass, then swirl it around…and down the olde hatch ye go-eth.
OPTION 2: But for a smoother instant shake, I like to use my immersion blender in a wide-mouth mason jar and whiz up the powder and water until it’s creamy.
OPTION 3: For those days when I need an extra boost, I add the powder, water, 1 frozen banana and either almond butter (paleo) or tigernut butter (AIP) to my Vitamix and then puree until thick.
Milkshake alert! I could see frozen berries and / or avocado as other great additions, too. Yum yum.
Check out these clean and convenient ingredients for your AIP Copycat Carnation Instant Breakfast Shake Mix:
Coconut milk powder – Can lower cholesterol, prevent fatigue, and improve digestion. *source
Cocoa powder OR for AIP use Carob powder – Cocoa can improve blood flow, boost mood, and may control weight. Carob contains calcium but no oxalates, and is high in fiber and antioxidants. *source, source
Collagen powder – Can improve skin elasticity, protect the gut, and cushion joint pain. *source
Coconut water powder – Full of electrolytes, great for hydration, and can help with constipation. *source
Vanilla bean powder (optional) – Rich in antioxidants, contains anti-inflammatory properties, and can lift spirits. *source
Himalayan salt – May help flush out toxins, support the adrenals, and activate salivary glands for better digestion. *source
What would you add to your shake to customize it?
I’d love to hear! Tell me in the comments below.
PS – Love easy AIP-hackable recipes? Try my hot mug of Cheater’s Broccoli Soup and my sports drink copy cat, Flower Ade, too!
AIP Copycat Carnation Instant Breakfast Shake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup coconut milk powder
- 1 cup cocoa powder for AIP use carob powder
- 1 cup collagen powder
- 1 cup coconut water powder
- 1/3 tsp vanilla bean powder optional
- 1 tsp Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a 6-cup storage container OR for smoother consistency, add all to a food processor.
- Shake or blend well to combine, getting as many lumps out as possible.
- Store in a cool, dry place (like the pantry) for up to 1 month.
- When ready to serve, scoop a heaping 3/4 cup of the dry mix into a 2-cup mason jar (for the shaking method) OR wide-mouth 32-ounce mason jar (for the immersion blender method).
- Add 8 to 12 ounces cold filtered or spring water. Seal lid and shake very well in the 2-cup jar OR blend in the 32-ounce jar using an immersion blender (or blend everything in a regular blender) until no lumps are present. Enjoy!
17 Comments
Ann Bartholomew
The link you have for the coconut milk powder isn’t AIP-cmpoliant as it has Maltodextrin. This one is better: https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Ingredients-Plant-Based-Smoothie-Friendly/dp/B07X37D16H/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=coconut+milk+powder&qid=1593652148&sr=8-3&linkCode=li2&tag=aiprecipe-20&linkId=60c07357fe8e4ebd018e727a60101c9d&language=en_US
Samantha
Hey there Ann! Thanks for your vigilant eyes. 🙂 The good news is that the Nutricost coconut milk powder that I linked to (at the time of writing this) and the tub I have in my pantry currently only contains coconut milk powder on the ingredients list. Though it is very possible that the brand formerly used maltodextrin, especially since the Amazon description states maltodextrin in the product description. Maybe an old formulation? The one you linked to looks wonderful too! Especially since it is organic – love that! <3
Carla Derr
Would this work without the coconut water powder? That’s the only ingredient I don’t have. Thanks!
Samantha
Good morning, Carla! Yes you sure can make it sans coconut water powder. 🙂 Since it dually acts as a source of electrolytes and as a sweetener, you could (1) simply add pinch more Himalayan salt to the mix for electrolytes (though you may want to taste it first before you do so, that way the batch is not too salty for you) and then (2) once you have mixed your portion with water to serve, you can stir in some maple syrup to taste, or blend in raw honey if you want to sweeten it. 🙂
Annie
Would it be possible to just add coconut water when I go to make a glass of it instead of the coconut water powder? And if yes, how much do you think-ish?
Samantha
Hiya Annie! Yes ma’am you totally can substitute coconut water for the coconut water powder. 🙂 You could try mixing the shake mix with 4 to 6 ounces of coconut water plus 8 to 6 ounces of water and see how the flavor is for you. If you like your shake a little sweeter, then I’d opt for more coconut water versus plain water.
A
Oh my goodness!!! This is SO delicious! I ended up just adding a little vanilla extract instead of the powder and I added 1 teaspoon of monkfruit. Ummmm… I am obsessed!!! Thank you so much for this! I mostly made it for my mom because she takes two different types of diaretics for her heart and she pees everything out and is left to be shaky and miserable. I am always trying to find ways to pump the good stuff back into her all day long to keep her heart beating regular. Love this for both of us xoxox
Samantha
Hey there A, Thank you SO much for your comment. It warms my heart to know that your mom has something to help her get extra nutrients in and that she has a caring child like you to look out for her! I really need to try your vanilla extract method, especially since I tend to hoard my small stash of the bean powder due to the price. Y’all have a beautiful day! <3
Amber Ham
One last comment: any idea how many calories one servicing would be? Asking because hiking all day means I have to be incredibly mindful about a very high calorie diet. Thanks so much!
Samantha
Hey there Amber!
Thanks for popping in. 🙂 There should be around 488 calories per serving, and would be a perfect little booster when you add your ghee scoop (usually around 120 cal per Tbsp)! It should be a great for your hike.
I hope you enjoy this and it helps you for those in between moments where you need to light a little energy fire! 😉
Vee S.
This sounds amazing! I’m going to try making a vanilla flavored version by leaving the cocoa out, so I can make different flavors. I really miss strawberry flavored milk, so will experiment with adding frozen organic strawberries, or freeze-dried strawberries for taste and color.
Samantha
Hey Vee! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 I would love to try a strawberry version like you mentioned! My brother’s favorite drink when we were growing up was Nestle strawberry milk, hehe.
Amber Ham
Thank you!! I’m planning a long distance backpacking trip and backpacking food is atrocious! This with a little ghee will get me on my feet in the mornings! Thank you for coming up with the perfect copycat!! I also completely forgot that powdered coconut water even existed – so that you for reminding us!
Lori
Hi Samantha,
I just got the last of the ingredients together. Oh my this hack is going to help keep me on track for sure. I am so happy with your knock off version. My daughter is always chirping about the hidden ingredients and even the ones named in our ‘favourite’ brands. So, she is always thrilled knowing when I find a healthier fabulous alternative, like this one.
Its usually around 9pm if/when hunger strikes. This will help curb my weakness-even just a 1/2 serving to get me thru the night. Many thanks for creating and sharing your fav recipes.
Samantha
Heya Lori,
Yass! So glad you and your daughter are all about being label detectives – it really can be eye opening to see what ingredients are in packaged products.
I hope you both love the recipe and that the instant shakes help to get you through the rest of your day. <3
Elle
Thanks for this recipe! I am going to use this as a basis for making my kids breakfast shakes. Do you think I could substitute regular skim milk powder for the coconut water powder?
Samantha
Hi there Elle,
You are welcome! You could definitely use skim milk powder in place of coconut. You may need to blend it in the blender if it tends to clump together. 🙂
If you can find powdered whole milk I think it would be even better so it will have more fat.