Dark chocolate, banana, nut— a few words that combine to sound like a jam session at Ben & Jerry's house (aka one of our favorite Ben & Jerry's pints: Chunky Monkey). This delectable flavor combination will satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. The density of the banana will have you convinced you're drinking an indulgent milkshake, while the omega-3s in the walnuts will keep your mind sharp and your belly lean.
This super simple recipe swaps dairy for almond milk, which is naturally low in calories. Almonds are high in vitamin E, manganese, selenium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fiber, and phosphorous — making almond milk naturally chock full of nutrients. It's also supplemented with calcium and serves up more of the bone-building mineral than cow's milk per serving.
Our nutritious smoothie clocks in at just 229 calories and provides a whopping 28 grams of protein, without sky-high sugar counts found in fat-laden milkshakes with a similar flavor profile. Yet it tastes so decadent, it could pass for dessert! Time to bust out the blender to blitz up one of our favorite ways to start our mornings.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
½ banana
1 teaspoon dark chocolate morsels (dairy free)
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
⅛ cup chopped walnuts
6 ice cubes
⅓ cup chocolate plant-based protein powder
Water to blend (optional)
HOW TO MAKE IT
Step 1
Add all of the ingredients to the blender in the order listed. Blend on high for at least 2 minutes or until smooth (note: this may take longer if your blender isn't very strong). Scrape down the sides of the blender and add liquid, as needed.
Step 2
If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a few tablespoons of water and blend again. Or, add a couple extra ice cubes for a thicker smoothie. Enjoy!
Nutrition: 229 calories / 11 g fat / 26 g carbs / 7 g fiber / 10 g sugar / 28 g protein
