Healthy Vanilla Avocado Milkshake - Creamy, thick, and delicious, this healthy vanilla milkshake is banana-free and made with just a few ingredients!

The food allergy that saddens me the most is banana.

No nice cream, no banana bread, no delicious and creamy banana-based smoothies...woe to me!

I really don't know what happened.

Throughout my youth, I ate bananas without problem, but now they are typically not my friend. I say 'typically' because there is the occasional day that I can sneak a few bites past the ol' immune system.

While it is a personal travesty, it certainly has inspired creativity in the kitchen. In particular, I've had to get creative with smoothies.

What are good substitutes for banana?

In my experience, the following foods are good replacements for bananas:

-Ripe pears: These add both creaminess and sweetness.

-Papaya: This tropical fruit adds thickness, a bit of sweetness, though papayas can be an acquired taste, and are great for digestion.

-Avocado: A very filling addition to smoothies, particularly because of their fat content; it's helpful to pair a scoop of avocado with some form of sweetness for a great banana replacement.

-Frozen milk cubes: I often freeze my Homemade Milks in an ice cube tray and add them to smoothies for body and 'frosty' factor.

-Pumpkin: A surprisingly neutral ingredient that pairs well with flavors like chocolate and cinnamon; pumpkin also adds body as in this delicious Healthy Chocolate Shake.