Healthy Chocolate Frosty Smoothie
With protein and NO banana!
Chocolate Frosty Smoothie
Here’s the problem I have with smoothie bowls you get from cafes or restaurants. It’s literally just made with a blend of fruit and fruit juice as the base. Then it gets topped with granola, more fruit, and honey…talk about a SUGAR OVERLOAD. Not only does this spike my blood sugar, but it keeps me full for maybe 2 minutes. Then, I am ready for another meal.
The thing was it tasted so good, and I always wanted one, but I didn’t like how I felt afterward. I wanted to solve the problem of too much sugar in smoothies! So, I went to the drawing board to create a smoothie I could make at home that wouldn’t give me these issues: too much sugar, not keeping me full, and lethargy afterward.
How to Make a No-Fruit Smoothie
The hack for no-fruit smoothies is to add creamy frozen veggies! Hear me out. You won’t be able to taste the veggies, and it just gives you that same consistency fruit would but without the fruit!
The hack to keep you full after you eat a smoothie bowl is protein and fat. I add protein by adding a serving of high-quality chocolate protein powder. Something that is also low sugar, organic, non-GMO, and vegan works best. I love using Nuzest. Here’s the link to use for a discount using code JAZZ! It’s such a great protein powder.
Another trick to help keep you full is adding in healthy fats. It’s those high-quality, healthy fats that will keep you satiated for 3 to 4 hours!
The Best Healthy Fats
Here are the amazing, healthy fats I like to add to this smoothie:
Avocado
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Flaxseeds
Nut butter on top
Granola with any nuts/seeds in it
How to Thicken a Smoothie
The easiest and most common way to make protein smoothies is by using bananas. Now the big question: what if I want to use something else? When making a chocolate protein smoothie bowl with no banana, we need a substitute!
What can you use instead of bananas and fruit to thicken a smoothie? There are so many ideas to choose from! Here are some of the great options I use:
Frozen avocado
Frozen sweet potato cubes
Frozen coconut cubes
Frozen zucchini
Frozen cauliflower
Healthy Chocolate Frosty Ingredients
We are going to use 3 of the ingredients listed above in this chocolate frosty smoothie! My secret ingredients are frozen avocado, cauliflower, and zucchini.
Frozen avocado
You can buy this at the store or you can take any avocado that is going bad in your fridge, slice it, and put it in a little freezer baggie. Perfect for the next time you need a smoothie add-in!
Frozen cauliflower
You can buy this at the store in so many different forms. I love going for frozen cauliflower rice (because it’s easy to blend) or frozen cauliflower florets. Always try to opt for organic cauliflower if you are! However, if you have digestive issues, you can certainly buy fresh cauliflower, steam it, then freeze it on a tray. Once it’s completely frozen, transfer it into a freezer bag, and add it to your smoothies!
Frozen Zucchini
Frozen Zucchini is my favorite hack for making smoothies thick without bananas! You can do the same thing with zucchini, purchase it frozen at the store for ease. OR you can make your own if you have digestive issues. Just chop, steam then freeze the zucchini on a parchment paper lined sheet pan in the freezer until completely frozen. Finally, once frozen just transfer it into a freezer bag and use it in your smoothies.
I love zucchini because it adds the same creamy consistency that banana does without the added sugar!
Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
If you want a video on how exactly to make your own frozen fruit-free smoothie add-ins, just watch this YouTube video!
What type of blender should you use for a smoothie bowl?
A high-powered blender is absolutely necessary for making smoothies! Definitely reach for something with a tamper. I prefer using my Vitamix. They have such great customer service and their products are really high quality. Now, let’s talk about smoothie bowl toppings!
Smoothie Bowl Toppings
I am pretty particular and have to have something crunchy to top off my smoothie bowls! My favorite topping is my homemade granola. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and never needs any added sugar! It’s so much more affordable to make your own granola at home. Plus, you get to control the ingredients. I like to make a fresh batch of it every two weeks! If you want to make some too, here’s the recipe for my granola!
This vegan chocolate smoothie bowl is my favorite post-workout breakfast. I have it probably 200 days of the year, the other days, it’s probably because it’s too chilly outside.
Plus, when I have something that is chocolaty for breakfast, it curbs my sweet tooth all day! There are so many benefits of this fruit-free smoothie. For starters, it’s low in sugar, high in protein, gluten-free, and vegan. Not only is this chocolate frosty smoothie healthy, but it’s also so creamy and delicious! Let’s get to the Chocolate Smoothie Bowl without bananas.
Other Smoothie Recipes
Lean Green Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl - NO BANANA
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen zucchini slices
- 3/4 cup frozen cauliflower
- 1/4 cup avocado
- 2 medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds, hemp seeds or flax seeds
- 1 serving of chocolate protein powder or collagen
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 cup liquid of choice (i.e. coconut milk, almond milk, coconut water, water)
- 1/4 cup homemade granola - use my granola recipe
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries or any fruit of choice
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs or chocolate chips
- 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut or seed butter
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into a high powered blender (I prefer using a Vitamix because of the tamper).
- Begin on low speed and add additional liquid as needed (about 2 tablespoons at a time).
- Use the tamper to move the smoothie contents around until combined.
- Slowly increase the speed on the blender as you continue to move the tamper.
- Patiently allow the blender to blend the smoothie until smooth.
- Transfer the smoothie into a bowl and top with your favorite toppings, enjoy immediately!
Notes
Add more or less liquid depending on how thick or thin you want your smoothie! The more liquid you add, the more of a smoothie consistency you will get. The less liquid you add, the more creamy and thick the consistency will be!
