Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie: Fulfill your nutritional needs and power yourself up with a healthy protein shake chock full of protein, healthy fats, and nutrients that tastes just like a decadent peanut butter cup.
Do you kill it at the gym? Are you trying to gain muscle mass? Training for a marathon?
Maybe you are a busy chasing toddlers around and have no time to eat for yourself?
Or do you have medical restrictions that require you to eat a high calorie diet?
Or maybe you just love all things Chocolate and Peanut Butter–like Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bars or Peanut Butter Chocolate Yogurt Dip.
If you said Yes to any of the above, you are probably in search of high calorie snacks that help you meet your nutritional goals.
And I have the PERFECT smoothie for you!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
While I wish I could tell you I said Yes to killing it at the gym, I said Yes to the last question.
As many of you know, I have Cystic Fibrosis.
And as part of my daily regimen, I need to consume tons of calories in a day. How many, you ask? I strive for 3500-4500 a day.
If you are thinking, Wow, must be nice to be able to eat whatever you want whenever you want. STOP THAT THOUGHT RIGHT THERE!
First let’s look at WHY I have to eat so much. I have pancreatic insufficiency due to Cystic Fibrosis. I could give you the technical medical explanation, but my abbreviated explanation is that due to CF thick mucus has blocked the duct from my pancreas to my stomach. The result is my stomach doesn’t receive the proper pancreatic enzymes, resulting in fat malabsorption, malnutrition, and fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies.
Maybe that doesn’t sound that bad to you. But let me be real for a moment. This is HOW pancreatic insufficiency effects my day to day life, even after taking all the proper medications.
- I spend more time in the bathroom than any person wishes and the stomach pain I experience is hell.
- Fat malabsorption causes pretty significant gas issues. Funny story–When I was a nanny in college one of the children, bought a gas mask at a vintage shop as a joke to wear when he was with me. Real cute.
- Often times I don’t want to eat. I am in pain or I am nervous the food will be too hard for me to digest that pain will shortly following eating. Not a choice I get to make though. I must NEVER skip a meal.
- I am physically weaker than I wish I was. I can’t fight off infections as well as others do and when I do succumb to even a mild cold, it takes me down hard! Sometimes for more than a month.
- I am underweight. Not by a little–by 20+ pounds.There are days I hide it well and look petite and cute. Other days, every bone of my body is sticking out and my face is so sunken in it is scary. I have been asked more than once if I am eating enough. At my son’s 5th Grade celebration, I overhead a group of girls saying Wow, she is SO skinny! Not what I wanted to hear–I wanted them to say something like Wow, she has such cute shoes, etc. And my son certainly did not want his mom being discussed in anyway shape or form–way too embarrassing for an 11 year old boy.
I know some of you reading this, know EXACTLY what I am talking about because you too, experience the same issues.
But many of you do NOT relate.
What you may relate to is the fact you need extra calories because of another medical condition or you are just looking to replace calories burned after an intense workout. Regardless of the reason, I am sharing with you my all time FAVORITE high calorie, high protein shake–that is made with clean ingredients and NO protein powders. You can read more about why protein powders and nine other so-called healthy foods are NOT considered healthy in my book.
Peanut Butter Cup Power Protein Smoothie
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie is my dream come true.
Just listen to all this peanut butter chocolate shake has going for it:
- high protein
- high calorie
- high in fiber, calcium, omega fatty acids, and potassium
- easy to make.
- naturally sweetened–no artificial aftertaste or sugar crash!
- easy to digest (Hallelujah)
- tastes like my favorite dessert of all time–a chocolate peanut butter cup!!
I am thinking this just may be your new favorite smoothie as well.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie’s Key Ingredients:
- Milk: Any variety. I typically use unsweetened almond milk because it is low in sugar and high in calcium. But whole milk or full fat coconut milk are both great options to up the calories and fat in a healthy way.
- Peanut Butter: A tasty way to get some healthy fats in my body. Also plant based fat has always been easier for me to absorb and digest than animal fat. Feel free to sub with almond butter/sunbutter if allergies exist.
- Chia Seeds and Ground Flax Seed: For omega 3 fatty acids and extra fiber
- Banana: Provides potassium and sweetens the smoothie naturally. I like to use half a frozen banana and half a fresh banana for optimum texture.
- Cocoa Powder: Purely for my taste buds (but does also contain antioxidants)
- Coconut Oil: The MCT fats in coconut oil are so much easier for my body to absorb. So this is a no-brainer way for me to sneak some fats into my diet.
- Greek yogurt: High in protein and calcium.
Feel free to add in some wheat germ or oats as well for extra nutrition. And you can also add in a tablespoon of maple syrup or a few soft dates to give the shake extra sweetness. I don’t need it but my kids sometimes appreciate it 🙂
So grab your blender (and your enzymes if you are pancreatic insufficient) and in a minute or two, you will have a smoothie that tastes better than any pre-made smoothie on the market!
And if you are intolerant to dairy, this Vegan Cocoa Coconut Low Carb Shake from Cotter Crunch is a fabulous option.
Let’s Make this Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 banana either frozen or fresh or a mixture of the two
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter feel free to use more
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in blender and blend away until smooth and creamy. Serve.
If you are a Cystic Fibrosis Fighter like I am, be sure to check out Walgreens CF Champions Site for encouragement, tips, and medical advice.
If you like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake, you may also enjoy:
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
Banana Sushi
Chocolate Covered Cherry Bites
Kristen Chidsey
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Wow thank you for sharing your story. I struggle with weight gain due to a fast metabolism. The last shake I bought (Boost) broke me in hives so I’m excited to try something natural.
I hope you enjoy this recipe Shari and it helps you with your weight gain. Feel free to add in some maple syrup, honey, etc to sweeten if needed 🙂
I’m looking for a high protein shake to make for my dad who is going through chemo and radiation for lung cancer. He has lost all of his ability to taste anything, which resulted in him to stop eating. I’m looking for a recipe that might help in a smoothie that’ll have some sort of taste for him. Do you think I can use vanilla greek yogurt instead of plain? Also do you think it would be ok to leave out the chia and coconut oil ( flavor wise )? Plus I do not have ground flax seed but flax seed oil…can I break a few capsules into the mixture before blending? Sorry for the multiple questions. I’ve read many recipes and yours really seems like it would taste the best and one that he may actually drink. I thank you in advance for sharing your recipe and taking the time to answering the many questions. God Bless.
Hi Lisa, First of all, I am so sorry for what your dad is going through. I will say a prayer for him and for you. As for the shake, Vanilla yogurt works great, no need for chia seeds or coconut oil. You can add up to 1 teaspoon flax oil if desired. Praying for healing!
Is there anything you would suggest as a substitute for the banana?
The banana helps to sweeten the shake, so you could replace with 4-5 soaked dates 🙂
Hi Kristen,
My wife of 50 years suffers from Polymyositis(degenerative muscle disorder) and fortunately hasn’t had difficulty with absorbsion, dysphagia is a concern though. Do you have a recipe for a high calorie tropical based weight gainer recipe?
I was a surgical nurse in a past life and a Vietnam Vet.
You are a beautiful young woman and and it’s obvious have a warriors spirit. Keep up the good fight.
God Bless,
Doug & Carolyn Harwood
Hi Doug and Carolyn! Thank you for reaching out to me and want to thank you also for your service in Vietnam! My heart goes out to your wife, as I know the challenges chronic diseases present. As for tropical smoothie–this recipe for a Pina Colada is one of our favorites. I would use full fat coconut milk and add in 1/2 -1 tablespoon coconut oil and 1/2-1 tablespoon ground flax for additional fat and calories. All the best to you!
Hello, I just wanted to ask what brand of peanut butter do you use? I struggle with weight gain and a very bad apetite, so smoothie calories is what I rely a lot on. Thank you in advance!
Hi Grace. I feel your pain. For peanut butter, trader Joe’s unsalted all natural creamy is my go to.
Definitely going to try this. But since I am getting closer to age 80, I don’t need all those calories. Using my products on hand, the recipe totalled 717 cal. So I am either going to eliminate the coconut oil and/or sub avocado. Will see how that tastes.
Hi Joanne! I would just leave out the coconut oil–no need to add avocado 🙂
I will try this! I have esophogeal cancer. Surgery made my stomach smaller so I can’t eat much. I’m desperate to avoid having a feeding tube and I also need to get strong enough to survive treatment. Thank you so much.
Oh Kathy, I will be praying for your recovery! I hope this shake helps you feel stronger, gain weight and that you enjoy it. All the best!
I’ve just started drinking peanut butter shakes, and love it! So, I’ll have to try this recipe! I also have CF and just randomly came across your blog!
Kim
Hi Kim!! I am so glad you found this recipe and my site! Much love to you and your fight with CF!!!
Thank you for sharing! I can’t imagine the struggles you and others with CF face on a daily basis, but you are rocking your life and making the best of it and I applaud that!
This smoothie looks absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it!
Oh thank you my dear friend!
This is delicious (and my favorite dessert is a peanut butter cup-or 1000, also!) 😉
You can NEVER have enough chocolate and peanut butter!
What a great healthy smoothie, my friend! Looks delicious and I love the chocolate with peanut butter. Keep on keeping on, girl. You are doing good things.
Thanks Allie 🙂
Kristen, I had no idea that you were dealing with CF. I thank you for sharing your story with us and I’m glad that you stay strong and deal with it well. I’m glad this delicious smoothie give you the nutrition you need – peanut butter is the way to go! 🙂
Thank you for reading Julie! And peanut butter is always the way to go 😉
Sorry you are dealing with pancreatic insuffiency. That is a tough one, but sounds like you are doing what you can. I would swap out the peanut butter because I have a sensitivity to peanut butter but also because it is so high in sugar. I love me some almond butter. Also would swap out cocoa powder for cacao powder, less processed, but this really does look delicious. Thanks for sharing at Let’s Get Real.
Karen, all good swaps. I of course use natural peanut butter that has no added sugar, but almond butter is great too.
I love that this smoothie has no artificial ingredients. I am sharing it on my weight loss surgery facebook page.
Thanks so much Jennifer!
Thank you for sharing such a personal journey. I have a new understanding and respect for CF. And I absolutely love this peanut butter cup smoothie and wish I had one in my hand right now!
Thank you for taking the time to read Rachelle.
I do love a peanut butter chocolate anything. This looks like a delicious and healthy way to start your day. I think this could fill me up till lunch which is something I look for in a smoothie.
I think it would do just that Denise!
Oh Kristen, I so appreciate reading this post, I never quite understood the struggle those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis went through everyday – I feel for you and see how this smoothie is perfect. This sounds delicious BTW.
xx
Thanks so much Shashi. CF is often misunderstood or known very little about.
Oh yum! this looks so yummy!
That it is Marye!
I wish I was starting my day with one of these smoothies!
You need to make plans to that ASAP!
I will have to try this for breakfast!
YES!!! You do girl!