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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 a breakfast meal replacement shake for a few reasons.
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 + Benefits
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 protein 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.
Perfectly chill your 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.
Would it be ok to swap out the hemp hearts for flaxseeds? I have never used hemp hearts before, what is the difference, benefit -wise, between the two?
Hey Janice,
You can totally swap the seeds if you would prefer that. The difference is flaxseeds have a lot more omega 3 fatty acid in them then hemp hearts and hemp hearts have a lot more protein in them then flaxseeds.
Hope that helps!
Can chocolate protein powder be a subsitute for cacao powder?
Hey Lacey,
If you prefer the chocolate protein powder then you can definitely add that as a substitute!!
So if I do that do I leave out the hemp seeds?
Yeah, that’s what I would suggest.
And it would it affect weight loss?
Try as I might, I just do not love cinnamon. I’ve made this smoothie and it’s ok but I know I’d really enjoy it without the cinnamon. Any recommendations for a substitute with similar benefits?
Hey Joanna,
You can swap the cinnamon for nutmeg if you prefer that!
Would this recipe be considered a single serving or is it two? Thank you!
Hey Tricia,
This recipe is for one serving!
My new Breakfast Smoothie, just so delicious. Wish there was more!
Thank you.
It really is so delicious!!! SO glad that you love it Deborah!!
This might be my new favorite! Yum!
Love that Roxy!!!
I’m not a fan of chocolate in the morning. What is a good replacement for the cacao powder? Vanilla protein powder?
thanks
So yummy! I will add this to my plan!
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.