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    Home » Recipes » Smoothies

    Published: Jun 19, 2022 · Modified: Jul 6, 2022 · This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

    Banana Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie for Stress Relief and Anxiety

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    strawberry chocolate protein smoothie
    VWFOFGF

    This banana strawberry chocolate smoothie is all you need for a healthy start to the day or a healthy and flavorful snack that is both delicious and protein-packed. Also, you’ll be delighted to know that it has stress-relieving ingredients such as dark chocolate, rolled oats, and pumpkin seeds that can help you go throw stressful periods.

    glass of banana strawberry chocolate smoothie hero
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Strawberries and bananas make a match made in heaven, banana offers creaminess and sweetness, and strawberries bring on fruity and low calories flavor. Add dark chocolate cacao powder, and you will be zipping on a luscious smoothie; it truly feels like drinking up chocolate-covered strawberries ice cream.

    This chocolate strawberry banana smoothie was inspired by our basic yet flavorful banana strawberry apple smoothie and blackberry banana smoothie.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💡 Top tip
    • 💆 Stress relief smoothie
    • 🥤 More Strawberry smoothies
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 🌡️ Food safety
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    chocolate strawberry smoothie ingredients
    • Dark chocolate (dark cocoa powder)
    • Banana
    • Strawberry
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Maple syrup
    • Soy milk (almond milk or oat milk)
    • Oats

    Optional: lemon juice

    Strawberry banana smoothie protein: add a scoop of plant-based protein.

    🔪 Instructions

    To make this chocolate strawberry smoothie, I recommend you use frozen strawberries and frozen bananas; frozen fruit will make your smoothies creamier as you don't need to add more water or ice cubes, which tend to thin them up.

    frozen strawberries with frozen lemon juice

    Tip: if your blender is not too strong, you can freeze sliced fresh strawberries, so blending goes smoothly.

    blend oats making oat meal

    Grind the dried oats and pumpkin seeds in the blender so it becomes a powder. This will make the smoothie turn out creamier.

    smoothie ingredients in blender

    Then add all the ingredients into a high-speed blender and mix until creamy. Usually about 40 seconds.

    glass of strawberry chocolate smoothie

    Serve immediately in a glass and optionally garnish with cocoa powder or cacao nibs.

    If you want to adjust it to be more liquid, add more non-dairy milk.

    📖 Variations

    This strawberry banana chocolate smoothie can be easily tweaked to use what you have readily available in a healthy pantry.

    • Strawberries – feel free to use frozen strawberries or frozen berries; it will make your smoothie recipes creamier. If your blender is not ice-friendly, let them soak for a couple of minutes in plant milk.
    • Pumpkin seeds – you can add or sub for walnuts, as they also have great anti-stress properties and protein.
    • Sweetness – if you use a very ripe banana and sweet strawberries, you may not need any sweetener, as their natural sweetness may be enough to sweeten your healthy smoothie. You can use your favorite wholesome sweetener, like agave nectar, date paste, or pitted whole Medjool dates.
    • Plant-based milk – we like using homemade soy milk to increase the protein content of our smoothies, but you can also use your plant milk of choice. We regularly make our almond milk and oat milk at home and use them indistinctively in our smoothies. You can also use chocolate almond milk and skip the cocoa powder.
    • More antioxidants – add chia seeds or flax meal to increase both the protein content and nutritional value of any of your smoothies. Bear in mind that they will also add some extra calories. We usually add one tablespoon for each serving. Both chia seeds, flax meal, or flax seeds will make the smoothie thicker, so you can add some extra ice cubes or liquid to keep the same consistency.
    • Strawberry banana smoothie protein – we like adding a tablespoon of complement vegan protein powder (affiliate link) when drinking it before or after working out. Instead of protein powder, to make a strawberry chocolate protein smoothie, you could use hemp seeds, which are high in protein and are also super creamy, making them a great addition to your vegan smoothie. This makes it a great post-workout drink.
    • Rich chocolate flavor - make your smoothie even more chocolatey by adding add a teaspoon of cocoa powder, using your choice of dairy-free chocolate milk, or using chocolate protein powder.

    💡 Top tip

    Add lemon or lime to strawberries to make their flavor pop up. It can be very helpful when strawberries are not as sweet as expected.

    💆 Stress relief smoothie

    We developed this recipe when we were going throw some tough times and as we go by the mantra, make food your medicine, we started researching what foods we could consume to help relieve some anxiety.

    Anxiety and stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that anxiety and stress are linked to several health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

    Fortunately, there are several simple lifestyle changes that can help reduce anxiety and stress. One of the most effective is making some healthy changes to your diet.

    Luckily, we found that some of the best foods that can help to manage stress are foods that are readily available in most grocery stores and farmers' markets.

    Some of them are the ones we chose to make this delicious chocolate banana strawberry smoothie, you guessed them: strawberries, nuts, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and oats.

    Let’s explore how each of these ingredients can help your brain to better manage stress and why.

    Strawberries

    fresh strawberries in a bowl

    While there are many ways to help reduce anxiety and stress, one method that is often overlooked is eating strawberries. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which has been shown to help reduce anxiety and stress levels.

    In addition, strawberries contain folate, a nutrient that helps to protect the brain from damage. As a result, eating strawberries can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels and improve mental health.

    They also have a significant amount of fiber, which is excellent for aiding constipation.

    Read on: How to make your own strawberry juice»

    Dark chocolate

    cocoa powder

    According to research, dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonoids, which are compounds that have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress. In one study, participants who ate dark chocolate reported feeling calmer and more relaxed than those who ate milk chocolate.

    Dark chocolate also helps to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, both of which can be helpful in reducing anxiety. So next time you're feeling stressed, reach for a bar of dark chocolate - it just might help you feel better. (source)

    Use dark chocolate to make vegan lava cakes for an indulgent dessert!

    Nuts

    Walnuts

    Nuts are a natural source of nutrients that help improve mood and reduce anxiety. In addition, nuts contain healthy fats that help to protect against heart disease.

    So if you're looking for a way to reduce anxiety and stress, try adding a handful of nuts to your daily routine, peanut butter, or almond butter. You may be surprised at the difference it makes.

    Pumpkin seeds

    pumpkin seeds

    Pumpkin seeds are great for stress relief because they contain a high level of magnesium. Magnesium is known to help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin.

    Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate mood and can be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. So, if you're feeling stressed out, consider adding some pumpkin seeds to your diet. You just might find that they help you relax and feel better. (source)

    Oats

    soaked oats

    Of course, you can consume each of these fantastic ingredients on their own, but we wanted a stress-relief shot, with all of them packed in a single smoothie, that was not only was delicious but healthy and easily be part of our work-out routine, instead of just drinking it on top of our meal plan. (source)

    That is why we decided we wanted to make a strawberry chocolate protein smoothie, which makes total sense because another great way to release stress is to exercise and practice mindfulness.

    🥤 More Strawberry smoothies

    We love the combination of strawberries and kiwis. It is refreshing light and filling.

    If you feel like having almost a mocktail with tropical flavors popping up, make this Strawberry pineapple smoothie, made with coconut milk, for a super refreshing treat.

    The peanut butter and strawberry smoothie, will gain your heart with its delicious creaminess.

    Also, our latest creation is this delicious strawberry banana mango smoothie, made with almond milk, you will love it!

    Finally, one of our preferred smoothies, made with mandarin orange and strawberries, is a delightful citrusy and sweet option to start your day.

    glass of strawberry banana smoothie protein

    ⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

    📋 Recipe

    banana strawberry chocolate smoothie featured

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie Protein | Stress and Anxiety Relief

    Gus
    This easy-to-make, vegan chocolaty and creamy smoothie will be a hit with your family. Make it a post-workout meal or breakfast meal, and they will be asking for seconds!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Beverage, Breakfast & Brunch, Smoothie, Snack
    Cuisine Healthy
    Servings 2 Servings (750 ml or 25 oz)
    Calories 203 kcal

    Equipment

    My favorite blender: BlendTec Brand..
    (affiliate link)
    Blender (affiliate link)
    copper measuring cups and spoons.
    (affiliate link)
    measuring cups (affiliate link)

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 banana ripe, medium frozen, freeze it cut in chunks
    • 2 ½ tablespoons raw cocoa powder
    • 8 strawberries small frozen, briefly thawed before using
    • ½ lemon juiced
    • ¼ cup oats rolled, or steel-cut oats, or quick oats
    • 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
    • 2 cups almond milk or soy milk, more if too thick
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave syrup, or 1 pitted date

    Optional:

    • 2 tablespoons Organic Protein Plant-Based Powder
    • 2 teaspoons maca powder for improved ability to handle stress
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Directions
     

    • Freeze the banana and strawberries overnight, or at least 30 minutes before cutting them into slices. Squeeze half lemon on top of the strawberries.
    • Grind rolled oats and pumpkin seeds. If using old-fashioned rolled oats, optionally grind them in your blender, pulsing it for a few seconds, so you make an oatmeal flour. This will ensure you have an even creamier smoothie. If you like some grits in your smoothie, skip this step.
    • Blend. Add everything into a high-speed blender. If using rolled oats and prefer a creamier consistency, first pulse the oats in the blender, without any liquid, to make an "oats flour"; then add the rest of the ingredients, beginning with the dairy-free milk, and blend for 40 seconds or over your blender's smoothie mode.
    • Serve Cold or store for up to 2 days.

    Video

    Notes

    It is better to use small chunks of fruit for your smoothies; thus, try curbing the bananas before freezing them.
    Remove the strawberries and bananas from the freezer for 5 minutes before blending them to facilitate the blender's work.
    To increase the Protein count, we added vegan clean protein powder (affiliate link) or vanilla-flavored powder, such as soy, pea, or hemp. 
    Nutrition facts are calculated without the protein powder.
    Adding the suggested protein powder adds 28 calories, 0 carbohydrates, and 5 grams of protein per serving.
    Add agave or maple syrup for extra sweetness or extra dates. We like using dates because they have a ton of beneficial post-workout benefits.
    Vegan Clean Protein: if using the clean protein powder (affiliate link), add our 10% discount code OURPBWORLD10 at check-out to enjoy the benefit. (affiliate)

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 329mgPotassium: 397mgFiber: 5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 44IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 340mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!
    Nutrition Facts
    Strawberry Banana Smoothie Protein | Stress and Anxiety Relief
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    203
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Sodium
     
    329
    mg
    14
    %
    Potassium
     
    397
    mg
    11
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    40
    g
    13
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    22
    g
    24
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    44
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    36
    mg
    44
    %
    Calcium
     
    340
    mg
    34
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
     
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    🌡️ Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

    More Smoothies

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      Easy Strawberry Banana Mango Smoothie (no yogurt)
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    184 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Janessa says

      June 19, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      This smoothie is so delicious and filling!

      Reply
    2. Tara says

      June 19, 2022 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fantastic start to the day! This smoothie looks so good and I love the combination of strawberry and chocolate.

      Reply
    3. Ieva says

      June 20, 2022 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      I've just whipped up this delicious smoothie following a workout and sipping it as I write it! Great texture and I love the cocoa in it! Yum 🙂

      Reply
      • Gus says

        June 20, 2022 at 5:01 pm

        Thanks for the great review, Ieva! We're so happy to hear you love our smoothies. ?

        Reply
    4. Katherine says

      June 20, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      A perfect, classic smoothie! The best way to use up strawbs.

      Reply
    5. Choclette says

      June 20, 2022 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      A delicious chocolate strawberry smoothie that's also going to make me feel less stressed? I'm in for sure. Sounds amazing.

      Reply
    6. Mahy says

      June 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      Well, this is one of those smoothies that make my mouth water just from looking at them. Fantastic recipe and great flavor!

      Reply
    7. Dionne says

      June 20, 2022 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      Stress relief is such a huge problem, especially for those working in stressful conditions. This is a great smoothie recipe for sure!

      Reply
    8. Claudia Lamascolo says

      June 20, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this several times its a great recipe everyone should try it!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        June 21, 2022 at 2:37 am

        Hey Claudia, thanks for your review! I am glad you love our strawberry and chocolate smoothie! Cheers!

        Reply
    9. Andrea says

      June 20, 2022 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      this shake turned out delicious! so filling and tasty!

      Reply
    10. Melanie says

      June 21, 2022 at 3:13 am

      5 stars
      What a wonderful smoothie recipe and flavor combination! Thank you for the tip to add a little lime or lemon juice to enhance strawberry sweetness...that will come in handy for sure!

      Reply
    11. Marinela says

      June 21, 2022 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious post-workout smoothie, it's so filling and nourishing!

      Reply
    12. Katie says

      June 21, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      This smoothie is incredible! I love the chocolate with the strawberries!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        June 21, 2022 at 7:25 pm

        Thanks, Katie!

        Reply
    13. Selena says

      July 05, 2022 at 9:56 pm

      you stated 2 & 1/2 of cocoa powder - 2 & 1/2 what? cups? tablespoons? thanks!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        July 06, 2022 at 3:12 am

        That's tablespoons. Corrected. Thank you for noting it. Let us know how it turns out! 🙂

        Reply

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