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Protein intake is a popular subject with our SGS community, particularly adding protein to shakes or smoothies. This chocolate protein drink is the creme de la creme, when it comes to a tasty, protein-packed simple shakes. And you can rest assured that this chocolate banana protein yumminess contains only plant-based, whole food ingredients!
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Can I Really Make a Protein Shake at Home?
You sure can! And this chocolate banana protein shake will taste way better than the one you’d buy on your way home from the gym. Store bought protein shakes often use cheap proteins like whey or pea, as well as tons of additives + chemical sweeteners to try and make them taste good.
Even if you’re not short on time, a protein shake or smoothie is still a great meal replacement option. It’s pretty amazing what you can pack into a smoothie— like superfood mushrooms from Four Sigmatic.
Mushroom Protein Powder = Magic
Now before you say, “mushrooms in a shake???” Let me explain. Certain types of mushrooms are adaptogens. Adaptogens are substances that aid the body and mind in adapting to as well as managing stress.
Stress over a long period of time can cause what’s known as adrenal fatigue. This is one of the most common struggles of the American mom, which is why we’ve made an adrenal fatigue diet smoothie for it too. The adrenal glands excrete chemicals (like hormones) that help our bodies and minds deal with stress.
Fueling your body with whole food plant-based recipes like this chocolate protein shake gives it nutrients to help fight stress naturally.
One of our team members, Lindsey, went back to college and is using this chocolate shake recipe to thrive. By boosting it with Four Sigmatic Superfood Protein Powder, it’s possible to enjoy breakfast as well as give her brain + body a healthy boost. (She’s also hoping that her classmates will ask her about her daily smoothie so she can share all about her love of smoothies. Ha!)
Plant-based protein options
I only recommend products I personally love and feel our community can benefit from. That’s one reason why I love Four Sigmatic products— they back my plant-powered passion.
If you’re looking for a plant based protein powder, yet mushrooms aren’t really your thing, then give my homemade protein powder a try. It’s got 3 ingredients: organic hemp hearts, organic chia seeds, and organic flax seeds. It also adds 10 grams of protein to any smoothie, boosting that smoothie to the perfect meal replacement.
How to Make a Chocolate Protein Shake
To make this plant-powered thick and delicious shake, all you need are a few ingredients:
- Almond milk: plant-based milk
- Bananas: one of the easiest ways to flavor and thicken a shake
- Dates: these natural sweeteners are rich in fiber
- Cacao powder: this adds a rich chocolate flavor and a little caffeine to rev your engine
- Plant-based protein powder: boost your protein intake
toppings
Now, if you wanna make this chocolate banana protein shake real fancy like I did for this photoshoot, then drizzle it with these additional superfoods:
- Almond butter
- Hemp hearts
- Cacao nibs
- sliced bananas
Honestly, you could add a little less liquid than the recipe calls for, then scoop this shake out with a spoon to really enjoy those toppings.
Ingredient swaps
Smoothies offer so many easy swap options, so don’t shy away from this chocolate protein shake if you can’t do one of the ingredients! Instead, try one of these substitutes:
- If you need less natural sugar in this shake, then swap out 1 banana for 1/2 cup of frozen cauliflower. Still super creamy, yet lower in sugar
- If you have a nut allergy, then swap out the almond milk for oat milk or coconut milk. Also use a seed butter as a stand-in for the almond butter instead.
- No dates on hand? No problem! Swap in a tablespoon of maple syrup (vegan option) or honey (vegetarian option) to keep the natural sweetener flowing.
More protein forward smoothies
I don’t like to sip the same smoothie every day, so I’ve got several different smoothie recipes I utilize for workout recovery:
- Caramel protein shake
- Vanilla protein shake
- Berry protein smoothie
- Cinnamon date smoothie
- Chia seed smoothie
- Post workout smoothie
- Breakfast protein smoothie
Don’t forget to rate + review this smoothie once you make this smoothie; I want to know how it turns out!
Chocolate Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups almond milk chilled
- 1 serving homemade protein powder
- 2 tbsp cacao powder unsweetened
- 1 medjool date pitted
- 1.5 bananas sliced or halved, frozen if desired
- Ice optional
Suggested Toppings
- 1 tsp almond butter
- 1 tsp hemp hearts
- 1 tsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients, except for toppings, until smooth. Add ice to make smoothie colder, if desired.
- Divide between two glasses or jars. Top each with a drizzle of almond butter and sprinkle with hemp hearts and cacao nibs. Drink immediately.
Notes
- Nutrition info doesn’t include optional toppings, which will add another ~100 calories per serving
- For powder, I suggest using Four Sigmatic Adaptagens or my Homemade Protein Powder
- To cut down on the natural sugar, swap the banana with avocado
TODAY is my 69th birthday. What a great day to celebrate with a delicious chocolate smoothie !!
Happy Birthday. Hope it is wonderful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGUERITE!! I’m so glad to be able to wish you wellness, happiness and friendship!! We may not know each other but we have shared a connection with each other and so many others over the last 10 days, and I actually had fun looking forward to each day and different smoothie recipes! Also, reading other peoples reviews on the recipes and different ideas and things that we each created to just be a little different. And now you are sharing your 69th birthday with us, a truly special day for you!! It’s an honor to know you, even for this brief moment of time! I hope you really enjoy your Birthday Marguerite!!
Just to be clear, I have a major sweet tooth so I am ALL IN for smoothies that taste like dessert! That said, I expected to like this a little more than I did. I initially thought the two tablespoons of cocoa powder was going to make the smoothie overwhelmingly chocolate-y (is there such a thing?), but I actually didn’t get that much chocolate flavor. It was still delicious, though! I added a handful of spinach, too.
Who doesn’t love Chocolate? This smoothie not only satisfies the chocolate that I sometimes crave but it is healthy as well. Sometimes I will add a bit of peanut butter to it to add some flavor. This one is quite filling and no too sweet, but with just the right amount to keep me going on my mornings. Another winner!
Chocolate goodness for breakfast! Plenty sweet and creamy. Very filling too.
Uplifting!!! Truly hit the spot after a very warm and trying day.
Yummy! Such a treat in the morning! Perfect amount of sweetness. Wonderful deep chocolate flavour.
So yummy! Love this smoothie
This is the best one!! Course I am a chocoholic!!!
I have enjoyed the whole 10 days. Thank you
This tastes kind of rich without being too sweet. I like the chocolate creamy smoothies rather than fruit creamy smoothies. With the fruit smoothies, I prefer just fruit and kale, not milk.
This one is perfect for those chocolate craving days, love knowing I am getting a treat that is healthy and guilt free. Thank you 🙂
Forgot to hit the stars 🙂
Day 10! I did it! Used my homemade cashew milk in this one w a scoop of homemade protein powder…I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in 10 days. This one, like all the others, will be in my smoothie rotation. I can’t wait to share this one w the grandkids! Sounds corny but I do feel like a RAWKSTAR! These recipes will be added to my bag of tricks to manage my diabetes…a very flavorful one for sure! Thank you so much !
So good! I added some peanut butter which definitely adds flavor and texture. So sweet!!
Filling! Begs for a handful of greens. Chocolate hides all.
Absolutely delicious! Kids and I loved this one.
Good smoothie—a bit thinner than I expected, but I love the addition of the Cacao powder.
Love the flavors. Big fan of banana and chocolate and the almond butter blends in great. Smooth and creamy drink.
Thank you for the recipe! I enjoyed this and love that there’s no added sugar and was chocolatey. (I did like this recipe a little better: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-smoothie Nonetheless, I would make this one again, but adjust the amounts of the other ingredients so I only use one banana.