Skinny Chocolate Recovery Shake

A skinny chocolate protein smoothie recipe for muscle recovery after a butt-kicking workout. How good doesn’t that sound? And guess what– it’s only 125 calories per shake and lactose-free.

Why We Love This Recipe for Chocolate Recovery Shake

Sometimes after a rockin’ hard workout it’s hard to get yourself to cook a full on meal with lots of protein. That’s why I have a deep love for protein smoothies. They’re really easy to make, they pretty much taste like milkshakes (especially this one), and I know that if I get a snack in right after my workout, my muscles can recover faster. Which means I will get more from my workout.

Protein after a workout snack is important for protein synthesis, and carbs are needed to replace glycogen (which is fuel for muscles.) But making sure that the calorie count doesn’t undo the workout is also important. So for most women, about 150 calories is all you need.

I’ve found that a high-protein smoothie or shake, like my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie or today’s Chocolate Recovery Shake, is the easiest thing to drink after a workout, especially if it tastes like chocolate. I also like this low calorie chocolate protein shake because it is lactose-free, which makes it easier for me to digest!

Key Ingredients for This Low Calorie Chocolate Protein Shake

Banana

You can either use fresh bananas or freeze them beforehand. This helps make a smoothie extra thick and creamy. To freeze bananas slice them up into 1-inch pieces. Lay them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 30 minutes. Combine the banana slices in a ziploc bag and continue freezing until ready to use.

I love including bananas in my post-workout smoothies because they–much like protein-help with muscle recovery due to potassium. Bananas also have naturally occurring sugars in them, which help make this smoothie sweet.

Unsweetened whey protein powder

I like adding protein powder to smoothies and shakes to help with muscle recovery, satiety and fullness, especially if it’s a post-workout snack. Feel free to use whichever protein powder you prefer. A quick tip is to use chocolate protein powder (if you have it) and omit the cocoa powder.

Ice

I almost always add in a half cup of ice to my shakes and smoothies because I like how it really thickens up the texture and makes them super cold.

Unsweetened almond milk

I like using unsweetened almond milk for protein shakes and smoothies because it’s really low in calories and is easier to digest. However, use whatever milk you like for this. I also love using oat milk as another dairy-free option because it is creamy and really neutral-tasting.

Cocoa powder

Much like the almond milk and protein powder, I prefer to use unsweetened cocoa powder. This helps make this protein shake rich and decadent, without adding any unwanted sweetness. The chocolate flavor also helps mask any unwanted flavors from protein powder. Like I said above, you can always just use chocolate protein powder instead.

Pure maple syrup, dark or amber or agave or pinch stevia

You can sweeten this shake with maple syrup, agave, monk fruit or a pinch of stevia. If your protein powder is sweetened you won’t need any. Using agave or maple adds 25 calories per serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make This Recipe

Puree the banana, protein powder, ice, milk, cocoa and sweetener in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Additional Smoothie & Shake Recipes to Try

• This Green Mountain Smoothie is the perfect quick snack recipes to add into your daily routine.
• I added lots of dark leafy greens to this Healthy Green Smoothie. Doing so not only adds fiber and helps keep them lower in sugar, but they pack a big nutritional punch as well.
• This vanilla green protein smoothie is only about 200 calories per serving.
• My Super Green Tea Smoothie gets its color from spinach and matcha green tea powder.
• Here is a twist on Peach Cobbler in the form of a protein-packed peach smoothie. It’s so delicious.
• This Pear, Honey, and Avocado Smoothie is paleo-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free and delicious.
• A simple green apple smoothie with kale and coconut milk!