This smoothie combines two of my favorite nutrient dense superfoods, cacao and spirulina. Add in some fresh fruit and a few other ingredients and you’ve got a delicious and highly nutritious superfood smoothie.
I’ve been adding cacao and spirulina to most of my smoothies lately. They compliment each other nicely and seem to have some sort of superfood synergy going on :)
Cacao is one of my all-time favorite superfoods. Who doesn’t love chocolate? It’s rich in magnesium, iron, chromium, vitamin C, and a good source of zinc, copper, and manganese. It also contains essential omega-6 fatty acids and the amino acid tryptophan, which your body uses to make serotonin, the feel good chemical.
Cacao’s nutrient profile leads to improved cognitive function, better mood, improved vision, healthy bones, and proper immune system functioning. It also supports a healthy cardiovascular system, improved blood flow, reduced blood pressure, and decreased insulin resistance. Again, who doesn’t love chocolate? For the full download, see my article: What is Cacao and why is it perfect for Smoothies?
Spirulina is best known for being around 60-70% protein by dry weight, and contains all the essential amino acids. For vegans this may be the perfect protein source. It’s rich in iron and vitamin K and its dark pigments provide potent antioxidant properties. Its nutrient profile supports a healthy immune system, improved brain health, improved blood quality, and aids the body’s detoxification and cleansing efforts.
Neither of these superfoods taste too super on their own – enter sweet fruit and sweeteners. If you’re new to cacao or spirulina, you might want to use half of what this recipe calls for. If you’re a seasoned vet, double down! Enjoy!
Chocolate Strawberry Spirulina Smoothie Recipe
The Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (raw milk, almond, hemp, coconut)
- 1 fresh or frozen banana
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon spirulina
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- A little honey, stevia, or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
The Add-ons
- 1 cup spinach, kale, or other leafy green
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 serving protein powder or green superfood powder
- 1 tablespoon maca, goji berries, bee pollen, aloe, hemp, or any other superfood you have on hand
Show Time
Place all of the ingredients into your high-speed blender and blend for around 30-45 seconds or until nice and smooth.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 395
- Fat: 17g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 33g
- Vitamin A: 231% RDA
- Vitamin C: 158% RDA
- Vitamin K: 99% RDA
- Calcium: 34% RDA
- Iron: 46% RDA
I’d love to know if you tried this chocolate strawberry spirulina smoothie – please do tell in the comments below. Happy Blending!
Comments are closed.