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This weight loss shake recipe uses whole food, plant-based ingredients that will give you the nutrients you need to conquer your day. I use this recipe as an alternative to my vanilla protein shake when I’m craving chocolate smoothies. It’s high in protein and healthy fat, so I start the day full and satisfied. Cacao powder also gives this weight loss protein shake natural caffeine to wake me up, a bonus on busy mornings.
Table of Contents
Chocolate Weight Loss Shake Ingredients
Unlike most “weight loss shakes”—which are often filled with cheap proteins, artificial ingredients, and leave you with a chalky taste and hunger—this one is the complete opposite. Together, these ingredients create a chocolate weight loss shake that’s rich, satisfying, and balanced—without relying on added sugars or fillers.
- Almond milk: Rich in vitamin E and magnesium, this plant-based milk is low in sugars and carbs. Its mild, slightly nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. You can make your own almond milk or buy one of my recommended almond milk brands.
- Spinach: This leafy green vegetable is a staple in a lot of my shakes since spinach contains fiber, protein, iron, calcium and so much more. Bonus—you don’t even know it’s there!
- Frozen cauliflower: Thickens the shake and adds nutrients without changing the chocolate flavor.
- Frozen banana: Just enough natural sweetness and creaminess without spiking sugar.
- Cacao powder: Deep chocolate flavor plus antioxidants, making this feel like a treat.
- Almond butter: Full of healthy fat and adds a lovely nutty flavor to this shake.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and may help support balanced blood sugar.
- Cayenne pepper: A small pinch brings gentle heat and supports metabolism.
- Protein powder: The key to turning this into a filling, protein-rich shake.
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How to Make a Weight Loss Shake
The beauty of a shake is that you can “eat and run.” I call it the world’s healthiest fast food because you can get a delicious, fast meal in five minutes! Blending this chocolate weight loss shake is super easy, yet I like to do it in two steps to ensure I always get the smoothest result.
- Blend the almond milk and spinach together until there are no leafy chunks left. If you need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides to achieve this then go for it.
- Add the banana, cocoa powder, almond butter, cinnamon, hemp hearts, and cayenne pepper. Then blend again until smooth.
How to chill a Shake
Freeze banana to cool down this chocolate weight loss shake, or pour over ice after blending for a refreshingly cool drink. This will last up to 24 hours in the fridge, so feel free to make two servings and save one for tomorrow.
Ingredient Swaps
If you read through the ingredient list and got caught on one or two ingredients then let’s fix it to make this weight loss protein shake work for you.
- Almond butter can be swapped with the nut butter of your choice.
- Swap spinach with your preferred leafy green vegetables.
- Can’t find cacao powder? Then use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Don’t like almond milk? Use the non-dairy milk of your choice. Each kind can offer different nutrients and even a bit more protein than the almond milk used in this protein shake recipe for weight loss.
More Weight Loss Shake Recipes
If you’re loving this weight loss shake, there are plenty more protein-packed smoothies to keep things fresh and satisfying. For a lighter, refreshing sip, the banana chocolate protein shake blends creamy and fruity flavors, while the salted caramel protein shake tastes like a treat yet delivers staying power with healthy fats and protein. The meal replacement smoothie is a balanced option when you need something filling that can stand in for a meal.
If you make this chocolate weight loss shake recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Chocolate Weight Loss Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- ½ cup spinach fresh
- ½ banana frozen
- ½ cup cauliflower florets frozen
- 3 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ground
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 serving protein powder
Instructions
- Add spinach and almond milk to blender. Blend until all chunks are gone.
- Add in remaining ingredients (except protein powder) and blend on high until smooth.
- Add in protein powder and blend on low to mix in. Pour into glass and enjoy immediately.
Video
Helpful Tools
Notes
- If you prefer your shakes extra cold, feel free to pour your shake over a glass of ice.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
- Swap almond milk with the unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice.
- Swap almond butter with nut or seed butter of your choice.
- Swap spinach with any leafy greens you want.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
They can be, but make sure your protein shake recipes are full of some key things: healthy fat, protein, and whole food ingredients. Ditch the weird powders and fancy supplements and stick to healthy weight loss shakes made with only real ingredients. I make sure every protein shake I drink has healthy fats, protein from plant-based sources, and only natural sugar from fruits and vegetables.
If you are using a protein shake as a meal replacement, or really anytime, make sure it has a good balance of carbs, fat, and protein. Your body needs healthy fat to function fully and surprise, it actually helps you stay full longer! A good amount of protein in each meal will also help fill you up, and help process the natural carbs.
If two shakes a day works for you, go for it. Make sure you focus on a variety of ingredients in those drinks so you get the most nutrients you can. I like swapping up my leafy greens on a regular basis as well as using a wide variety of produce. This way, my body gets all the vitamins, minerals, and more that it needs to thrive.
I loved this recipe. I had it for lunch and was surprised how full I stayed. I even walked passed the Oreo. I will definitely make this again.
Yay!! That is so awesome that you walked right by the oreos!!!
Just what I needed before starting my summer reset. I really love the viewpoint of the video as well. Thanks Jen for another great smoothie.
Thank you for your feedback Daphne! We are so happy that you enjoyed this video!
I’ve been making a chocolate smoothie very similar to this but I’m excited to try the cayenne in it. Also, thanks for telling us the benefits of all the different ingredients!
We hope you love it Karen!
I have copied all 3 recipes and plan to implement them to see if I can lose another 12 lbs. This Chocolate Smoothie sounds wonderful (except maybe for the cayenne pepper, but I’m willing to try)
Yay!! I have a feeling you will love it. Feel free to add in less of the cayenne pepper if you are not sure of how you will like it. It gives it a little kick and I personally love that part about it 🙂
Delicious! I didn’t put much cayenne since I don’t do hot well and I had to use chai seed since I didn’t have hemp hearts. However, I plan to find some and try again.
Way to make it work for you! It’s okay to add in less if you cannot handle how hot it is. You should be able to find hemp seeds at your local grocery stores. I get mine at Walmart.
Super yummy. Will be a regular breakfast for sure.
This was really good. I love that it’s super easy and fast to make, which is perfect for mornings since I’m running around getting four kids ready for school. Used chia seeds since I didn’t have hemp hearts but plan on getting those on my next shopping trip.
Due to allergies I used wow butter and coconut milk and it was still very tasty
I really wanted to love this smoothie but…… for some unknown reason, chocolate in a smoothie is just not for me. I tried only half of the cacao powder called for. It’s just not for me. 🙁
Love this smoothie! Definitely hits a sweet spot for me!
Love this idea! Smoothies are the only way my picky kids will get veggies in, so the tastier, the better!!
My kids love these too!! I am so thankful for these delicious recipes!
This is delicious! The video states 2Tbsp almond butter but the recipe says 1Tbsp. Can you clarify? Thank you!!!
Hey Susanna,
Thanks for letting us know about that. I have updated the recipe on the blog because it should be 2 tbsp of almond butter.
Chocolate + weight loss – YES PLEASE!!
I made it without the cayenne pepper (as I am allergic to all peppers….I know bummer!). Is there another herb/spice that could be added that would serve the same function? Thanks!
The only other substitute we have for cayenne pepper is paprika and you wouldn’t be able to consume that either. If you leave the cayenne pepper out your body will still benefit a lot from this tea.
Copying down these ingredients and will hit the store this weekend. Can’t wait! The list of items that are good for weight loss is super helpful too. Question…. Is cacao basically just cocoa?
I’m usually not much of a chocolate lover, but I love how I can adjust it in this recipe based on what I like. It’s a nice change up from my usually tropical smoothies.
Chocolate and weight loss in the same title…how can you go wrong with that? After reading the ingredient list, I was drinking this smoothie within 10 minutes of the recipe arriving in my inbox. I blended it with ice to make it cold and LOVED it! Thanks, Jen, for another healthy and yummy recipe to add to my collection!
Yay!!! Love that you made this recipe right away. It really is so yummy!!!
What is the calorie count on this?
What are hemp hearts and where can I purchase them?
Hey Heidi,
Hemp hearts are seeds that are full of protein! You can purchase these at most of your grocery stores. I personally get mine at Walmart.
Hope that helps!
Green smoothies help me keep my weight in check! This one is a winner! I added ice to make it colder and thicker.
We are so happy that you love this recipe!!