Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

After two weeks away, during which time I did very little cooking but plenty of eating, it’s satisfying to come home to restock the pantry and reboot healthy eating. I’m not talking about a post-holiday crash diet or a New Year’s Day detox. It’s more a matter of reconnecting to healthy habits, such as drinking less wine and eating more vegetables. For me, resetting a balanced plate has everything to do with how I start off my morning.  That first meal sets the tone for day, which is where this Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie comes in.

Gather your Goods

I headed to my local Sprouts Farmers Market to gather the ingredients, which include unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, honey, banana, spinach, and peanut powder. I opted for peanut powder here instead of peanut butter to minimize the calories while still delivering plenty of protein and peanut flavor. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of nut butters and the healthy fats they deliver, but appreciate that two tablespoons of peanut powder has just 45 calories instead of 190 in peanut butter.

Blend it Up

Run all these goodies through your blender with plenty of ice and what results is a creamy smoothie that packs a nutritious punch. When made with one percent cow’s milk, each glass has 16 grams of protein, calcium, folic acid, antioxidants, and all the nutrients that come along with fresh spinach. I like to start with 1/2 cup of spinach and scale up from there, packing in as much as suits your tastebuds. This healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie makes a satisfying light meal with about 300 calories per glass, or a tasty mid-morning or after school snack when divided into two servings.

For more smoothie inspiration, check out this Blueberry Superfood Smoothie or one of my all-time favorites, Creamy Dreamy Banana Date Shake. 

5 from 4 votes

Print

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Here's proof that healthy and tasty go hand-in-hand. When made with 1 percent milk, this creamy smoothie packs 16 grams of protein and one-half cup of spinach into every glass. Feel free to add more spinach, as desired, or try it with baby kale instead. Enjoy it all to yourself as a light meal for about 300 calories. Or divide it into two glasses to share as a wholesome snack that comes in at just 150 calories a serving.

Course Breakfast, Snack

Prep Time 3 minutes

Servings 1

Calories 325 kcal

Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (cow's milk or plant-based milk)
• 2 tablespoons peanut powder (see notes)
• 1 tablespoon Sprouts unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons Sprouts honey
• 1 small frozen banana , sliced
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup loosely packed baby spinach
• 3 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Put all of the ingredients into a blender and run until frothy and smooth with no obvious flecks of spinach. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

You'll find peanut powder sold alongside peanut butter in Sprouts Farmers Markets and other stores.