I never feel like spending too long in the kitchen after an exhausting workout, which is exactly why I usually choose to whip up a smoothie in five minutes or less. I love making a smoothie before heading off to the gym and drinking half before and after.
Chocolate and almond butter are a dynamic duo. You can use peanut butter instead of almond if you like, but your smoothie then won’t be quite as healthy. This is one of those smoothies that’s so decadent you’ll have to remind yourself that it’s actually very healthy! Let me touch on some of the health benefits of this post-workout smoothie and then get to the recipe…
A few health benefits of almonds
I’m focusing on almonds considering that’s the main ingredient in this smoothie. A quarter cup of almonds contains about 8 g of protein. Almonds are high in vitamin E and manganese, and a great source of magnesium, tryptophan (boosts levels of your feel-good hormone, serotonin), copper, vitamin B2 as well as phosphorus. Manganese are copper are essential for energy production.
The monounsaturated fats in almonds can help reduce your risk of heart disease and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Besides being great for your heart, almonds offer protection against diabetes by reducing meal surges in blood sugar.
Some research also shows that almonds can help you lose weight. Eating them on a daily basis may help you eat a healthier diet overall! Sounds like almonds might need to be considered a superfood…
So there you have a few great reasons to indulge in an almond smoothie. Now for the recipe…
Chocolate almond butter smoothie recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1/2 banana, frozen
- 1 serving chocolate protein powder
- 1 tbsp flax, chia or hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp raw organic honey
Optional add-ons:
- 1/2 tbsp cacao nibs or powder
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 tbsp maca powder
Method:
Put all the ingredients into a high-speed blender. Blend for around 45 seconds or until you reach your desired consistency.
Happy blending!
PS: I’d love to hear your thoughts on this smoothie in the comments below.