Chocolate Protein Shake Via Food52
Combine:1 fairly ripe banana, preferably cold2 tbsp plain protein powder 2 tbsp ground flaxseed2-3 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder to taste use more if your banana is very ripe1 heaping tbsp almond or peanut butter, salted or unsalted1/2 cup almond milkMaple syrup to taste
Why we love it: This chocolate protein shake sets itself apart with the addition of flaxseeds, which are full of additional beneficial nutrients. Using an unflavored protein powder base allows you to to adjust how chocolate-y you want your shake to be, too.
How To Make A Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie
Only 3 ingredients are needed for this recipe! The strawberries can be frozen or not. Using frozen strawberries will give the smoothie a much thicker texture. Either buy them frozen or remove the stems and freeze your own. Use 5 or so depending on size.
For this recipe you can use any chocolate protein powder you prefer. We like Gold Standard 100% Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate because its low in sugar. Also, if you do not have chocolate protein powder simply use vanilla and add in 1-3 tbsp of cocoa powder depending on how strong you want your chocolate flavor to be.
You can also use any milk you prefer. Almond milk, coconut milk, vegan milks, regular milk, etc all will work perfectly in this recipe. I would not recommend water because it needs the little bit of creaminess that the milk will add.
Ive used lots of different blenders and had a bullet for years but Im already super impressed with this one! It crushes frozen fruit and ice no problem. Plus, it comes with a food processor attachment and 2 individual sized cups.
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How To Make The Best Chocolate Protein Shake
This recipe couldnt be easier! Simply add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Smoothies tend to blend the best if you add the liquid and protein powder first, then the spinach , and last the frozen fruit and other mix-ins.
Once the shake is blended and in your glass, feel free to add some fun toppings, like chia seeds, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or even a few mini chocolate chips.
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Chocolate Protein Powder Shake Recipes
1. Brownie Batter Protein Shake
The secret ingredient? A ripe avocado, which adds creaminess and heart-healthy fats, is masked by the rich flavors of dark cocoa powder, maple syrup, and coconut milk.
Find the recipe here: Wicked Spatula
2. Chocolate Spirulina Detox Smoothie
Theres a reason this tasty smoothie is dubbed the detox smoothie. Its packed with tons of nutritious ingredients that make it an awesome guilt-free choice, post-detox or anytime.
Feed your cravings with this smoothie, which balances ingredients like almond butter and cacao powder with health-promoting spirulina powder, nut milk, and coconut water.
Find the recipe here: The Chalkboard
3. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake
Dark chocolate and peppermint make the perfect pair in this scrumptious shake.
Optional toppings include vegan dark chocolate chips and homemade whipping cream, instantly taking this recipe from delicious to drool-worthy.
Find the recipe here: Fit Foodie Finds
4. Very Berry Chocolate Protein Smoothie
For a fruity and flavor-filled treat, look no further.
This smoothie recipe combines raspberries and strawberries to create a sweet and irresistible taste while a teaspoon of chia seeds ramps up the protein content and adds in some healthy fats.
Find the recipe here: Lexis Clean Kitchen
5. Chocolate Peanut Butter Apple Protein Shake
This recipe takes the classic combo of apples with peanut butter and transforms it into a protein shake.
Find the recipe here: Jennifer Meyering
Mango Raspberry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Do you dream of warmer climes when the snow is falling? Me too!
This Smoothie is sure to transport you to a lovely island. Its creamy, sweet, and full of tropical flavors.
The mango adds sweetness and tons of nutrition. Mangos are rich in Vitamin C.
In fact, one mango provides almost 70% of your daily Vitamin C needs. It is also a good source of folate, which helps build DNA.
And it contains Vitamin A, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
This Smoothie also contains raspberries. Like mangos, raspberries are rich in Vitamin C.
Theyre even rich in manganese which supports bone health. And they contain Vitamin K, which helps your blood clot.
So, drink up that Smoothie!
Per Serving:
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Is It Better To Drink A Protein Shake Before Or After A Workout
A number of studies show that protein helps your muscles to repair and rebuild after exercise. For that reason, many people drink protein shakes after their workouts to aid this process.
However, recent research suggests the amount of protein you consume per day is more important than when you consume it for gaining muscle mass . Therefore, you can choose which time you prefer or is most convenient for you. Personally, I always opt to have a protein shake after hitting the gym, but thats just what works for me.
How To Make This Recipe With Chocolate Protein Powder
If you want to use chocolate protein powder instead of plain protein powder in this recipe, you definitely can. I recommend using a high-quality chocolate protein powder that is naturally flavored and sweetened, like this one from Thrive Market.
To make your shake, simply make the recipe as written below , but omit the cocoa powder and honey. If your protein shake is not sweet enough after youve blended it, then feel free to sweeten it to taste with honey or another natural sweetener.
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Tips For The Best Protein Shake:
Protein shakes are really easy to make, but here are some recommendations for a perfect shake every single time!
- Use frozen fruit. Blending fresh fruit in your shake can make it thin and watery. Frozen fruit is best, as it helps keep the shake super cold and thick. Also, keep in mind that ice doesnt blend well and can also make your shake watery, so its best to skip unless absolutely necessary.
- Add more milk. Feel free to add more liquid if your shake is too thick or wont fully blend. High-powered blenders tend to blend frozen fruit much better, so if you have a regular or personal-sized blender, you may need to add more milk.
- Blender settings. For a thick and creamy shake, start the blender on low speed, then gradually increase to high to help blend all ingredients. Finally, end with the blender on low speed.
- Sweetener. If your shake doesnt taste sweet enough for your liking, you can add a 1/2 tablespoon of honey, pure maple syrup, 1 pitted Medjool date, or other sweetener of your choice.
An Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up or even a lightened-up dessert, this easy peanut butter banana smoothie is absolute gold! With simple ingredients and the best creamy texture thanks to the banana, its sweet, peanut buttery, and filling without being too heavy. The use of Greek yogurt and optional collagen peptides adds a boost of protein, so yep, you could even have this smoothie for breakfast! Chocolate and PB in the morning? Sign me up.
If you have a hard time getting little ones to eat healthy , then this smoothies about to be your new bestie. It is SO good, and with only 5 necessary ingredients , its the easiest thing ever! Anytime I have bananas about to go bad, I like to chop them into about 1-inch pieces and stick them in a bag to freeze. They act as the ice in this smoothie, but wont water it down like ice does. And banana adds an added element of sweetness and creaminess that is incredible. Satisfy that chocolate and peanut butter sweet tooth with this healthy smoothie!
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Customizing Your Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Make it Vegan: To make this recipe vegan use a non-dairy milk and a vegan protein powder.
Chocolate Protein Powder: Any good quality chocolate protein powder will do for this recipe. The one we use and recommend is this one.
Frozen Bananas: Using frozen bananas will yield a very thick and creamy smoothie. Using fresh bananas is completely acceptable, however the smoothie may not come out as thick. We recommend peeling, cutting, and freezing ripe bananas for smoothies.
Peanut Butter: Swap out peanut butter for your favorite nut butter. Or use coconut oil as a source of healthy fats and omit the nut butter altogether.
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 youd 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 youre not short on time, a protein shake or smoothie is still a great meal replacement option. Its pretty amazing what you can pack into a smoothie like superfood mushrooms from Four Sigmatic.
Read Also: Vanilla Yogurt Smoothie With Fruit
Are Protein Shakes Good For Weight Loss
Absolutely! As long as protein shakes are made with clean, junk-free ingredients, they are superb for weight loss. Protein shakes are a rich source of protein , which is an important nutrient for weight loss. As I stated earlier, getting an adequate amount of protein in your diet boosts your metabolism, reduces your appetite, and also helps you lose body fat without losing muscle.
Benefits Of Oatmeal In Protein Shakes:
Adding oatmeal in protein shakes has benefits like giving you a good source of fiber, and also health carbs especially useful for muscle gain. Another benefit is that the oatmeal in this shake keeps you full longer, making this a great protein oats smoothie for weightloss!
If youre looking to gain weight, add in even extra oats for a higher calorie recipe!
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Tropical Green Via Tasty
Combine:1 1/2 cups coconut milk1 cup fresh spinach1 scoop vanilla protein powder1 1/2 cups mango, diced and frozen1 1/2 cups pineapple, diced and frozen
Why we love it: Consider this vegan smoothie your personal island vacation. Itll transport you to tropical bliss in the dead of winter, and the added spinach can help to keep you full. Feel free to swap out the vanilla protein for unflavored too!
Pia Colada Protein Shake Via Healthy Delicious
Combine:1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen6 oz unsweeted coconut milk1/2 tsp coconut extract1 scoop vanilla protein powder1/2 banana, frozen
Why we love it: These five easy ingredients will have you feeling like Summer came early this year. Simple and healthy, this one is a quick, delicious shake to make.
Ready to start your personalized routine?
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Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie
After the seemingly endless holiday buffet of donuts, coffee cake, and muffins, our bodies are yearning for a fresh start! Those treats were all tasty at the time, but there’s nothing better than starting the day with a healthy breakfast like this Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie!
When the cold, gray reality of a February morning sends you running for the pastries or a quick cup of coffee, don’t let your New Year’s Resolutions and positive intentions fall by the wayside.
Instead, you can spend less than 5 minutes whipping up a nutritious meal that your entire family will devour. Loaded with the delicious flavors of chocolate, bananas, and peanut butter, this Chunky Monkey Smoothie is a simple way to power you through the day!
Here’s a reality check: Green smoothies are all the rage, but if I serve my boys a glass of thick, brownish-green sludge, there is no chance that they will actually ingest the beverage — regardless of how many vitamins it contains. Instead, if I want them to fuel up with fruit, protein, and healthy fats, I better make it all taste ah-mazing.
Mission accomplished! This Chunky Monkey Smoothie is so rich, so chocolatey, and so thick that the kids prefer to eat it with a spoon!
Vanilla Pumpkin Pie Shake
Tired of the same old fruit smoothies? Try one that tastes like pumpkin pie. The pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin A, which is good for your eyes, skin, and immune system, St. Pierre says.BLEND THIS:12 oz water, milk, or yogurt2 scoops vanilla flavored protein powder¾ cup of pureed pumpkin1 tbsp of walnuts1 tbsp of ground flax½ cup of uncooked oatsCinnamon and vanilla extract to tasteIce as needed535 calories, 60 g protein, 13 g fat, 45 g carbs, 13 g fiber
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Dark Chocolate Almond Joy Smoothie
It used to be that there was nothing more joyful than an Almond Joy. Until this smoothie came along! Satisfy your sweet tooth with the dark chocolate, coconut, and almond flavors of this smoothie while also packing in a double dose of protein from the almond butter and the Performance Whey Protein powder. To enjoy this smoothie, simply blend together the following ingredients:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- cup dark chocolate almond milk
- 2 Tbsp. almond butter
- Optional toppings: almond slices, dark chocolate shavings, unsweetened coconut flakes
Storage And Freezing Instructions
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein recipe only makes one smoothie, but you can make extra to feed your family! And you can also use this smoothie recipe to meal prep by storing leftovers in individual containers or mason jars to drink throughout the week. Just store in the fridge for up to 4 days!
You can also freeze this smoothie to blend later by pouring it up into an ice cube tray and re-blending as you need. You may just need to add a splash of milk or water to get it going.
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Chocolate Strawberry Protein Smoothie
Strawberry season is a beloved time of year here in Michigan and Im happy to report that the berries are super sweet this year! Thanks to plenty of rain and a warm spring, every strawberry I taste is juicy and sweet with a hint of floral aroma in the background
Strawberry season is fleeting, lasting just several weeks, which is why we tend to go crazy buying, eating and freezing as many as possible. Whether youre looking to freeze strawberries, blueberries, corn or any other fruits & veggies, dont miss my step-by-step guide to freezing summer produce.
This year we bought several big flats of berries from Krupp Farms just 15 miles down the street. When I went to pick out a flat they asked what I planned to do with the strawberries. Umm eat them? By the fistful?
Of course, I soon realized he was asking if I planned to add a bunch of sugar and turn them into jam or shortcake topping but no I cant imagine the need for adding sugar to these sweet little jewels. Instead, I turned them into a protein-packed chocolate smoothie that is 100% naturally sweetened.
Made with creamy yogurt, cocoa powder and a pinch of cinnamon, this Chocolate Strawberry Protein Smoothie is one of my favorite ways to start the day any time of the year. Lucky for me, my freezer is now filled with local Michigan strawberries to make sure that happens.
Your straw is waiting.
What Can You Substitute Banana With
Many people dont like bananas or dont use them in their smoothies for dietary reasons, so the good news is that it may be substituted with another type of frozen fruit.
Frozen strawberries or raspberries would work perfectly in this recipe.
For those following low carb or keto diets, cauliflower makes a great banana substitute for smoothies. Simply freeze cauliflower florets or use frozen riced cauliflower to achieve a nice, thick texture. For more information, see Eating Bird Foods Chocolate Cauliflower Smoothie.
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How To Make Chocolate Whey Protein Taste Better
Trying to bulk up and increase mass may mean consuming protein drinks to help your muscles recover and grow faster. Whey protein, which is a high quality protein derived from dairy, mostly milk, is a common source of protein used in shakes and drinks. However, if the chalkiness of protein drinks is unappealing to you, even when using the chocolate whey version, there are ways to improve the flavor and consistency.
Can I Add Cocoa Powder To My Protein Shake
The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the cocoapowder. The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor.
Use a good cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor in this shake. Heres my all time favorite cocoa powder )
Hersheys ®Special Dark Cocoa Powder is also great in Chocolate Protein Shakes.
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How To Make A Protein Shake
Delicious shakes are made this way:
- Base: Add ice or fruit like a banana to thicken
- Protein source: In this case, peanut butter, almond milk and protein powder
- Sweetener: If required
- Liquid: I like milk such as almond, cashew or coconut
- Blend it: If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more milk until you reach the desired consistency
Classic Chocolate Milkshake Protein Smoothie
The sweet, creamy texture of milkshakes makes one of the most tempting desserts. But did you know that fast food milkshakes can have between 500 to 1,000 calories in just one milkshake? Not to mention they are typically close to 30 grams of fat . If youre trying to lose weight and build a toned physique, fast food milkshakes just arent going to cut it. What does cut it, however, is our delicious classic chocolate milkshake protein smoothie. Coming in at just under 400 calories, this mock milkshake will leave you feeling satisfied while also giving you the protein needed to build muscles and lose weight. To create this creamy treat, combine these simple ingredients and blend until smooth:
- 2 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 scoops of either Natural Chocolate Performance Whey Protein OR Mega Chocolate Milkshake Mass Gainer
- ½ cup of water
- 1 cup of ice
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