I’ve always loved chocolate and have often called myself a chocoholic.

I also love a healthy lifestyle and want to eat in a way that supports my goals, but there’s no way I’m ever giving up chocolate! EVER!

I set myself the goal of trying to figure out how to be able to have chocolate daily but in a healthy and pleasurable way.

The pleasure and satisfaction aspect were super important to me. What’s the point of making a healthy alternative if in the end I end up eating the thing I’m truly craving anyways?

Enter my creamy chocolate smoothie!

I consume it daily. It TRULY satisfies my need for chocolate and something sweet in the afternoon.

You’ll need: a blender

Chocolate smoothie

1 serving

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons cacao (nibs or powder)
• 1 ripe banana (for sweetness)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon almond butter (optional; for extra creaminess)
• pinch of ground cardamom (optional)
• some vanilla seeds or vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend for about a minute.

Notes

You can turn this into an after-workout protein shake by adding your favorite protein powder.

Enjoy!

Nutritional information

Without almond butter: 330 calories, 13 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat

With almond butter: 362 calories, 14 g protein, 41 g carbohydrates, 15.6 g fat

Provides with: 20% RDA vitamin B2, 55% vitamin B6, 64% vitamin E, 158% vitamin K, 60% manganese, 57% calcium, 44% magnesium, 25% iron, 22% selenium, 21% zinc, 13% potassium, 3.6 g (327% RDA) Omega-3, 10.5 g fiber