The late August release of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte—or PSL for the cool folks—always brings me a little bit of stress at first. It means summer is coming to an end, and if you ask me, August is too early to release it! Nonetheless, as I complain that fall is coming too quickly and I’m not ready for it, the second there is a slight chill in the morning air and I put on a cozy sweatshirt to head to the gym, I am the happiest person in the world. I LOVE FALL—I apparently just forget that every year because I get sad about summer ending.
The changing leaves and return of football are great things about fall, but the star of the show in my eyes is the fall flavors. Pumpkin spice (once I finally come around to it), apple pie, chai, maple—you name it. It’s delicious and some of the most iconic and welcome seasonal food of the year.
I use protein powder every day, sometimes twice a day, to supplement my nutrition goals, so I’m a little picky about which ones I like. I don’t like grainy, chalky powders, and I get frustrated when an ingredient list has a long string of words I don’t recognize. There are so many products out there, and as a personal trainer, I’m often asked which one I use. I’ve tried many, but since NOBULL released its nutrition line, its protein powder has been my go-to. The ingredient list is remarkably short, and it blends very well for a smooth taste.
Sometimes, if I’m in a rush, I mix it with water or milk for a quick fix. When I have more time, I incorporate it into smoothies, overnight oats, yogurt bowls, and my personal favorite: Ninja Creamis. Since fall is now in full swing and we can’t get enough of these seasonal flavors, here are a few recipes that will help you hit your nutrition goals while feeling like you’re skipping through an apple orchard in your favorite flannel.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ninja Creami
This one might be my favorite. The macros are impressive for something that tastes so much like a fall ice cream treat—you could eat it for breakfast.
Macros
315 calories · 34g protein · 34g carbs · 4g fat
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup fat-free milk
- 1 scoop NOBULL Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
- 2 Tbsp canned pumpkin
- 1 Tbsp Cheesecake Zero Sugar Jell-O mix
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Mix-in
- 6 Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins
Instructions
1. Blend all base ingredients until smooth.
2. Freeze in a Ninja Creami pint for 24 hours.
3. Spin on Lite Ice Cream.
4. Add the mix-in, then spin again using the Mix-In setting.
Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
Trying to maximize both fiber and protein? This smoothie checks both boxes. NOBULL Plant Protein contains 3g of fiber per scoop.
Macros
280 calories · 10g fiber · 28g protein · 27g carbs · 8g fat
Ingredients
- 1 scoop NOBULL Vanilla Plant Protein
- 1 cup diced apple
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Ice
Instructions
Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
This recipe has been on repeat for me all month. It’s a great staple to prepare ahead of time and keep ready throughout the week for a healthy breakfast.
Macros
490 calories · 11g fiber · 45g protein · 52g carbs · 11g fat
Ingredients
- 1 scoop NOBULL Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Chocolate Chai Protein Ninja Creami
This tastes like a chai latte and chocolate ice cream had a baby. It’s warm, cozy, and perfect for anyone who loves fall flavors but wants a break from pumpkin.
Macros
300 calories · 35g protein · 25g carbs · 5g fat
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup fat-free milk
- 1 scoop NOBULL Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
- 1 chai tea bag, steeped in ¼ cup hot water and cooled
- 1 Tbsp sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Mix-in
- 1 crushed cinnamon graham cracker sheet
Instructions
1. Steep the chai tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes and let cool.
2. Blend all base ingredients until smooth.
3. Freeze in a Ninja Creami pint for 24 hours.
4. Spin on Lite Ice Cream.
5. Add the mix-in, then spin again using the Mix-In setting.
Author Bio:
Sammy Varney is a NASM‑certified fitness coach, former two‑sport college athlete, and movement enthusiast based in Boston. After years of finding joy through team sports, she now helps people reconnect with movement in ways that feel powerful and sustainable. Sammy blends her athletic background with a coaching style rooted in confidence, consistency, and emotional well‑being - reminding people that movement isn’t just about performance, it’s about feeling good in your body and your life. When she’s not coaching, Sammy can be found lifting, cycling, training for some sort of event, surfing, hiking, rollerblading, or picking up a new hobby. She loves traveling, working with her hands, sharing good meals with friends, going to the movie theater, and most importantly, a sweet treat.
