I have a couple of favorite healthy chocolate smoothie recipes that I love to make on repeat and today I’m sharing one of those. This is high in protein, has healthy fats, keeps me full, and still tastes delicious. The Cacao Powder and Nibs provides a boost of energy which is something I’m always in search of. Not to mention they’re both rich in antioxidants and help fight inflammation. The banana and date are also another welcome ingredient to provide a healthy natural sweetness. They also help prevent those pesky pregnancy leg cramps that can happen. Dates are considered a Pregnancy Superfood to help with labor so I’m trying to get some into my daily diet in hopes it will help when it’s time to deliver baby. I usually have this smoothie as a morning or afternoon snack. You do not need to be pregnant to enjoy this smoothie either. This will not taste like chocolate ice cream, but it does satisfy that chocolate craving and leave you full. If you’re seriously craving chocolate brownies then just go make the damn brownies. Nothing will replace that!

Adapted from Brocc’s Cookies & Cream Smoothie.

Serves 1.

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.

1 frozen banana

1 date

1 tbsp almond butter

1 Tablespoon of Unsweetened Cacao Powder

1 scoop unsweetened unflavored Protein Powder. I use Sunwarrior’s Organic Blend.*

1 Tablespoon of cacao nibs

4 Small Ice Cubes (start with less and add more to your liking. I like mine to be ice cold, but not too thick.)

Optional Toppings: Coconut cream, Cacao Nibs

Directions:

Combine the almond milk, banana, date, almond butter, cacao powder, ice, and protein powder into a blender. Blend until smooth. Add in the tablespoon of Cacao Nibs and blend again a few seconds until they break down a bit, but not fully pureed. Pour into a glass and top with Optional Toppings listed above. Enjoy.

Tips:

You can also use unflavored almond milk instead of Vanilla and just add a splash of vanilla extract or vanilla powder to your smoothie before mixing.

*Notes:

*Some people think Protein Powder is controversial in pregnancy. The one I use is organic and from all natural ingredients. I checked with my OBGYN on the ingredient list and she agreed this protein powder is pregnancy safe. I suggest checking with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.