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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
This smoothie was absolutely delicious!
Love this one! It’s my go-to pre workout smoothie
This one was just like a chocolate milkshake. Just great!
yummy!
Since I made several substitutions … it was a taste and add experiment
Although I am not supposed to have chocolate I splurged today! Used Dutch processed European choc since that’s what I had. Substituted 1 cup of mangos for 1 banana and 1/4 small avocado for .5 banana and used 3 dates for banana sweetness. Added a 1/2 tsp raw honey too. Mangoes gave it an unusual taste … bananas would probably be more typical. Coconut milk instead of Almond milk. Oh and no protein scoop. Was creamy and chocolatey. Not sure about the unusual magno taste…
son: 2 due to mango aftertaste … my fault not y’alls
daughter: 4 would prefer it with banana
me: 3 due to mango aftertaste … again my fault since I don’t do bananas…
We enjoyed today’s challenge. It was very tasty. We used protein powder and topped it with almond butter. It is similar to the chocolate smoothie which we make.
I will enclose the Chocolate smoothie recipe which we make, if anyone would like to try it:
We use a chocolate protein powder the recommended scoops on the package. We use 2 scoops.
1 Cup of Frozen or chilled Almond Milk
I Frozen Banana
2 Tablespoons of Walnuts
1/4 cup of Black Beans
2 Teaspoons of dairy free dark chocolate morsels. I found that the Lilly’s brand have dairy free dark chocolate morsels.
1/2 Avocado
Sometimes I add Spinach also!
We enjoy this smoothie very much!!!
Another yummy smoothie… Thank you for sharing these delicious recipes. This one I like the most.
Delish!! Creamy like a dessert. The dates gave it such richness. I absolutely loved this smoothie.
Wow! This one is decadent! I used a mushroom and cacao powder I had for it. The banana and date really make it a treat! Love this one.
Nice color. Nice chocolate taste. I think I will like the taste better if I use coconut milk instead of almond milk next time.
Since I love chocolate- this was my favorite! I used coconut milk instead of almond milk and followed instructions from there. I did use the Simple Green Smoothie protein powder. I did add some kale microgreens I had in fridge but no toppings. Super delicious!
Thanks for opening my eyes, and stomach, to trying new smoothies!
Mmmmm. Desert
Chocolate protein shake! One of my faves to make! This one is dear to my heart as I make this chocolate shake often and then add cold brew coffee and about a quarter cup to half cup of almond milk. If you’re a coffee nut like me, it’s a great way to start your day or give you a little pump before you work out. The only thing I didn’t have to add on this chocolate smoothie was cocoa nibs… Ran out! But I did add hemp hearts and almond butter… Also added some to the shake since it was only requesting a teaspoon for toppings. And of course having a vitamix blender helps make things much smoother quicker and easier. The chocolate smoothie was a great one to finish with! Who doesn’t love chocolate!
Omg! This was out of this world! Chocolatey goodness! You definitely saved the best for last! I added rolled oats and the protein boost and let it sit in the frezsee a bit to chill. I remembered after the fact that I had meant to blend almond butter instead of the protein boost, but it worked out anyway. It was so sweet, thick and yummy! I can’t have cacao too often, so this will have to be an occasional treat.
OK, I added Kale because Kale. I used Banana milk, Flax Milk & Oat Milk instead of Almond Milk due to the oxalates in almonds. I cut back to 1/3 of the cocoa also because of oxalates and added Carob Powder instead of the rest. I added a tbsp of Help Seeds. I used half the amount of maple syrup instead of the date, also because of the oxalates in dates. I used a few ice cubes. It was pretty good, a little bitter maybe because of the kale? I liked it, though.
This one was so good! I used frozen bananas and skipped the ice. My kids stole it from me so I had to make myself a new one! A family fav we will repeat over and over. Thank you!
I really liked this smoothie because I love anything chocolate. I added yogurt for my protein and collagen.