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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.
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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.
heya Jen!
there are no hemp hearts where I live. what other protein rich alternative is out there?
You could use chia seeds instead!
I’ve made some smoothies similar to this one but I will try this one tomorrow. I don’t have any almond milk however. I rarely buy nut milks and usually use coconut water in my smoothies, but I will get some coconut milk in the carton for this. I’ve never been a fan of store made almond milk.
I need something to kick start my weight loss again. I am walking more but not seeing any results from that.
I’ll give this a go tomorrow!
thanks Jen!!
Jana
Hey Jana,
I have a feeling you will really enjoy this recipe!!
Great tasting and another recipe for keeps…
Thanks for the great feedback, Ronnie!!
I need to make a trip to the store tomorrow and get me some cacao powder so I can make this. I have made several of your smoothie recipes and love them. I am sure I will love this one also.
We know you are going to love this recipe! Enjoy!!!!
I didn’t get to make this yet, but I will starting tomorrow. I can tell from the ingredient list – cacao! – that it will become a go-to smoothie for me.
Definitely fulfilled any chocolate need! The cayenne pepper was different but not bad. Overall I would make it again but not sure about drinking it every day.
So yummy and easy! I’ve been so dejected trying to get healthy and lose weight until I found this site! Thank you so much!!
I love this smoothie after a workout. The protein helps in recovery as well as curbs the appetite! No almond milk? Use a different nut milk. No spinach? Kale or chard work well, too. Yum.
Healthy and satisfying!
This ones nice and the bonus is that I already had the ingredients
I am going to try this one tomorrow am. Looks tasty!
Thanks for the great recipes
I so need to make this for my morning breakfast! Sounds delish!
Great chocolate smoothie, especially over ice to cut the chalkiness. This is a nice alternative from tropical. Every morning I look forward to a Simple Green Smoothie. Thank you so much!
So happy you loved this recipe. We are always looking for different varieties with our smoothie recipes 🙂
After all the years that I have been following you, I haven’t seen this recipe for some reason and I am so excited to try tomorrow morning!! Thank you for sharing this yummy looking breakfast!
We hope you enjoy it, Angie!!!
Excellent Smoothie…… great flavor and healthy ingredients. This smoothie it keeps me satisfied. A few hours after I drink the metabolism tea for a morning refresher, I make this smoothie. I love it. Thank you so much Jen!!! 100% recommend this!
Thank you, Sheila!!
This was my first smoothie right after coming off Simple 7 and I think I’m going to stick to this one this whole week to see how it effects my body composition. So far it looks like a winner and definitely more of a meal replacement than the Simple 7 recipes. Although as a very active guy, I’m been very impressed how long I’ve stayed full on the green smoothies before needing another meal. We are moving in a couple weeks so the cupboard is a little bare and I had to make a couple substitutions this time around. Overall though, I am really enjoying the program and looking forward to picking up the app, upping the servings and incorporating into our family’s breakfasts. Thanks for all the hard work you put into trial testing for us! I’m noticing a real difference!
Hey Andy,
That is great to hear that you are staying full on our recipes even though you are so active. I have a feeling you are really going to love this recipe. Good luck for this week!
This was my first time trying hemp hearts. I love having another source of protein in my toolkit!
Love these meal replacement smoothies! They really help when you are on the go, they make me feel good about my choice are delicious and nutritious!
So happy that you love these recipes!
Love this smoothie – so luscious tasting!!!
I have not tried this one yet. I usually have my smoothies for lunch with a piece of fruit or veggies, and I might have nuts. Work can be stressful. Having my smoothie then helps me not to grab unhealthy things at work. I even pass up donuts.