Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie

I talk often about balancing meals to support metabolic health, sustained energy, and fewer unnecessary snacks – and I truly mean it. That said, balance also means recognizing when your body needs more. There are days when I didn’t eat quite enough at a meal, trained harder than usual, or simply want something a little sweet. This smoothie came from one of those moments, made on a whim in my kitchen – and I’m very glad it did.

Lately, I’ve increased my interval cardio and sprint work to support cardiometabolic health for a long life and bumped up my lifting weights to stay strong for quality of life. That combination has made me a bit hungrier than usual, which feels completely appropriate. I want to fuel my body according to what it’s asking for, and when an extra snack makes sense, I’m grateful to have options that are both nourishing and satisfying.

What stood out to me in this moment was recognizing that I wasn’t just hungry – I was also craving something sweet (I usually crave salty and crunchy things!). Taking a pause to notice that helped me avoid my default snack formula (produce + protein) followed by still needing something sweet afterward. Instead, I leaned into a smoothie that could do both.

Bananas and dates aren’t everyday foods for me, but when I’m intentionally choosing something sweet, I’m happy to use whole-food sources of natural sweetness. The result was a smoothie with a solid balance of protein and fiber, just enough sweetness to hit the spot, and enough staying power to get me through the afternoon.

Hope you get a chance to enjoy this smoothie!

Christina

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Course: Beverages, Breakfast, Smoothie, Snack

Keyword: banana, chocolate, protein smoothie

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Christina Shoup

Equipment

• A high speed blender such as a Vitamix is helpful for the best texture

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsweetened organic soymilk
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder I like Be Well By Kelly
• ½ medium frozen banana
• ½ cup frozen riced cauliflower
• ½ small pitted date
• pinch sea salt

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 982mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 433IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 457mg | Iron: 1mg