Name: 5 Minute Chocolate & Banana Chia Seed Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2-1 cup almond milk (adjust to desired thickness); 1 tbsp chia seeds; 1 tbsp cocoa; 1/2 cup 0% plain Greek yogurt; 1 small banana, sliced and frozen; 1 tbsp nut butter (I used coconut peanut butter); 1 medjool date (or 2 regular dates, they are a bit smaller) or a splash of honey if desired for sweetness

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This smoothie seriously tastes like a chocolate milkshake! Made with cocoa powder, frozen banana, dates, Greek yogurt, chia seeds and nut butter, this chia seed smoothie is quick to make and absolutely packed with nutrition! It’s a terrific morning smoothie, and nourishing option for breakfast.

This smoothie is one of my go-to’s. It is thick, creamy and so delicious! As a Registered Dietitian, I love developing quick and easy breakfasts and snacks that will keep you feeling full for longer. This one provides a good combo of protein from the Greek yogurt and nuts or nut butter and fiber from the chia seeds give it some good staying power.

What’s in this Chocolate & Banana Chia Seed Smoothie?

This smoothie is packed full of delicious ingredients that blend together to create a creamy and chocolate-y smoothie. This one includes 7 simple ingredients that are often found in your pantry or freezer:

Almond milk
Chia seeds
Cocoa
Greek yogurt
Frozen banana, sliced and frozen
Nut butter of choice
Medjool dates

Blend together on high and enjoy!

Tip: I find that having smoothie ideas on-hand helps for those busy weeks, so I created a list of 15+ healthy meal prep recipes for you here.

My Dietitian Tips for Building a Filling Smoothie

Do you love a good smoothie but find yourself hungry 30 minutes later? Here are 3 tips to building a filling smoothing.

Add Fat

Don’t forget to add fat to your smoothies. Fat is our satiety factor, without fat you may not feel satisfied after a meal. Some of my favorites are avocado, nut butters, and hemp hearts.

Include Fiber

Fiber helps balance blood sugar levels and prevent energy crashes. Fruits and veggies will give you a good start on the fiber (like the watermelon in this delish 5 minute Watermelon Banana Smoothie), but for that extra boost, consider topping it up with a complex carb for that extra boost of fuel. I like to add oats or chia seeds because they have a subtle flavor.

Don’t Forget Protein

Protein will help you stay full longer after meals and is also great at balancing our blood sugars. Protein also works to rebuild and repair muscles, which helps keep your metabolism humming. Some of my fave proteins to add include Greek yogurt, hemp hearts, tofu and even black beans (like in this Mint Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie).

Nutrition Benefits

Chia Seeds

I love incorporating chia seeds into my smoothies and breakfasts (I like to have a couple of chia seed puddings prepped in my fridge for quick grab and go breakfasts). Chia seeds are packed full of fiber, Omega-3’s and antioxidants. These tiny nutrient-rich seeds pack a powerful punch and helps with feelings of fullness, with muscle repair and with heart health.

Greek Yogurt

Packed full of protein and B12, Greek yogurt not only keeps you feeling full longer it also adds a creamy texture to any smoothie (like in this Creamy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie). Greek yogurt may also help in bone health, gut health, and muscle recovery.

Nut Butters

Nut butters are not only packed full of protein, fiber AND healthy fats, they also have plenty of micronutrients like Vitamin E and B6, zinc and potassium.

Bananas

I always try to have bananas on hand because they’re a great way to bulk up a smoothie. Bananas contain a source of fiber which helps keep blood sugar levels balanced. They also are a great source of vitamin B6 that helps with the breakdown of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats.

I recommend peeling and freezing bananas that are going bad in a ziploc bag. This helps reduce food waste and ensures you always have some ingredients on hand for a quick and easy smoothie.