Sep

Chocolate-Banana Smoothie With Goji Berries – An Antioxidant SuperShake

By Tracy Russell

I have found the green smoothie equivalent to a cup of coffee! In fact, the energizing properties of this smoothie go far beyond what any cup of coffee can do. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, this chocolate-banana smoothie with Goji berries is a meal replacement that will have you humming and ready to take on anything! This recipe makes approximately 32 ounces.

Chocolate-Banana with Goji Berries Recipe

2 whole bananas, peeled
1/4 cup raw cacao nibs (cacao bean pieces)
1/3 cup dried Goji berries
1 cup red grapes
2 cups (or large handfuls) of fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup frozen blueberries (or strawberries)
1 scoop of protein powder (optional)
1/2-3/4 cup water

Put the ingredients in your blender and blend on high until rich and smooth. If you do not have a high speed blender (Vita-Mix or Blendtec), you will need to grind up the cacao nibs and Goji berries in a coffee grinder or food processor before adding them in order to avoid a “gritty” smoothie.

I drink this smoothie without any additional sweetener. Since raw cacao is bitter (it’s pure, dark chocolate in it’s natural form), you might want to add a little sweetener to taste. I recommend using either agave nectar, stevia or honey.

Adding part of a vanilla bean or flavored protein powder will enhance the flavor as well. You can also use coconut water as the liquid instead of plain water.

If you are using fresh berries instead of frozen, you might want to add a few ice cubes to chill the smoothie.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 604
Fat: 14.3 grams
Protein: 15.7 grams
Carbohydrates: 140 grams
Calcium: 18% daily value (DV)
Vitamin A: 91%
Vitamin C: 128%

In addition to the above, cacao nibs contain magnesium, iron, chromium, anandamide, theobromine, manganese, zinc, copper, omega-6 fatty acid, phosphorus, phenethylamine, tryptophan and antioxidants (polyphenols, catechins and epicatechins). Cacao nibs are widely praised for containing more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates and goji berries combined!

Goji berries add a complete protein to your smoothie with a spectrum of 18 different amino acids including all 8 essential ones. Goji berries contain 21 trace minerals including zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, B6, E and up to 4 times more antioxidants than blueberries.

Davy recently wrote about the nutritional benefits of bananas, so you know you’re getting lots of potassium and vitamin B6.

Blueberries add manganese, antioxidants and vitamins B6, C and K.

Red grapes add more vitamin C, K and a unique antioxidant called reservatrol with potent anti-cancer properties.

Spinach adds vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 (folate),C, E and K as well as calcium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, copper, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins .

I added a scoop of vegan rice protein powder to my smoothie, which is optional in this recipe.

Mood Enhancing Smoothie

This smoothie is a phenomenal pick-me-up, better than even the best cup of coffee! According to Sunfood.com, raw cacao contains both anandamide, which is an endorphin that our bodies produce after exercise (a feel-good chemical), and phenethylamine, the love chemical associated with chocolate.

Because many of the nutrients in cacao are heat sensitive (including phenethylamine), I recommend avoiding processed chocolate alternatives including cacao powder, which is heated in order to powderize it.

I have never been able to find raw cacao powder at local health food stores, and the only place I know where to get it is at Sunfood.com. Cacao nibs are a little easier to find and can be purchased from Sunfood, or you can find them at certain health food stores.

Caffeine

You might be wondering if this smoothie contains caffeine from the cacao. According to SunFood.com, “cacao is a poor source of caffeine. A typical sample of cacao nibs or cacao beans will yield anywhere from zero caffeine to 1,000 parts per million of caffeine (less than 1/20th of the caffeine present in coffee).”

However, if you are sensitive to caffeine (like I am), you should watch how much cacao you use. You might find it too stimulating. I use it only as a rare indulgence.

An Amazing Super Green (er…Brown) Smoothie

I made this smoothie last night and drank it at around 4:30 pm. I was full of energy and did not eat the rest of the evening. I didn’t need to! It’s a potent multivitamin-packed meal in a glass. Enjoy!