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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 classic healthy breakfast smoothies when I’m craving chocolate.
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.
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. It truly tastes great and is good for you. Here’s what I’m blending:
- Unsweetened 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.
- Spinach: This superfood 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!
- Banana: An easy way to naturally sweeten a shake for weight loss and bring out the creaminess.
- Cacao powder: surprisingly, cacao can help regulate appetite and aid in weight loss… and who doesn’t want to sip on a chocolate shake?
- Almond butter: Full of healthy fat and adds a lovely nutty flavor to this shake.
- Hemp hearts: High in protein, healthy fat, and fiber, these little beauties add texture and richness, while boosting the shake’s protein content for a more satisfying drink.
- Ground cinnamon: Helps regulate blood sugar, which is linked to an optimally functioning metabolism. It adds a warm, sweet spice that balances the creaminess and chocolate flavors.
- Cayenne pepper: Helps improve digestion by promoting the breakdown of food in the stomach. Its subtle spice contrasts perfectly with the sweetness and chocolate.
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
Use a frozen 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.
- Hemp hearts can be swapped with chia seeds or a plant-based protein powder.
- Swap spinach with the leafy green of your choice.
- Can’t find cacao powder? Then use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Use the plant-based 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.
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.
More Weight Loss Shake Recipes
If you love this weight loss shake recipe, then I’ve got even more protein shake ideas for weight loss to add to your meals.
- Meal Replacement Smoothie: This is my go-to lunch, knowing I won’t feel hungry or have a sugar crash 30 minutes later.
- Vanilla Protein Shake: I love this protein shake and how full I feel after finishing it.
- Flaxseed Smoothie: This is a great smoothie for those mornings when you need to “get things moving,” if you know what I mean. And it tastes delicious.
- Caramel Protein Shake: For those that like a sweeter start to their day, this is the perfect morning beverage. It’s creamy, thick and protein-rich.
Don’t forget to rate + review this shake once you’ve made it. I love getting all your feedback!
Chocolate Weight Loss Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 cup spinach fresh
- ½ banana
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon ground
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add leafy greens and liquid to blender, blend until all chunks are gone.
- Add in remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
Video
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.
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!!