Chocolate-Coconut-Banana Smoothie Recipe
What's more irresistible than a chocolate-coconut-banana smoothie? A healthy one, of course! This recipe is chock-full of healthy ingredients that give you the energy you need to power through your day. For starters, the recipe calls for a small carton of plain Greek yogurt, which is loaded in gut-healthy probiotics, packed with protein, and low in sugar. Probiotics are essential for fending off the overgrowth of a harmful gut bacteria called Candida. Yogurt's sister, kefir, is another dairy product that's low in sugar, but high in both protein and probiotics, and it also works well in smoothies if you want a tarter taste.
The majority of sugars occurring in this decadent drink come from natural sources such as plain yogurt, dark chocolate, and banana, which makes it far healthier than most smoothies. Store-bought and fast-food smoothies, while advertised as healthy, are notorious for packing far too much added sugar—which is bad for your waist, among other things. Some smoothies can cost you over 100 grams of sugar—about four times the daily recommended amount. For context, the American Heart Association recommends that women only have 25 grams of added sugar, and that men limit their added sugar intake to 36 grams.
All in all, this smoothie is an excellent source of nutrition that also satisfies that sweet tooth when you're craving something chocolate and delicious. If you make smoothies at home, you'll not only control what's going into your favorite sip, but you'll also be able to stay energized and burn fat, minus a sugar crash.
Total time: 5 minutes
Nutrition: 183 calories, 6 g fat (5 g saturated), 37 mg sodium, 19 g sugar, 9 g protein, 3 g fiber
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
1 5.3-ounce carton plain Greek yogurt
1 small banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
1⁄2 cup ice
1⁄2 cup refrigerated unsweetened coconut milk
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp honey
1⁄2 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp unsweetened flaked coconut, toasted
1 Tbsp finely chopped dark chocolate
How to Make It
- In a blender, combine the first seven ingredients (through vanilla). Cover and blend until smooth.
- Pour into tall glasses and top with toasted coconut and dark chocolate.
Eat This! Tip
Want to curb your late-night cravings? Eat a banana! The slender yellow fruit adds good fiber that will help keep you fuller longer. Orange you glad we said banana? This smoothie is a great way to eat one in smoothie form.
