Dairy Free Chocolate Pick Me Up Smoothie Recipe

Soymilk, avocado, cocoa and a small shot of coffee create this Chocolate Pick Me Up Dairy Free Smoothie, a satisfying afternoon snack option full of nutrition.

Jump to:

• Dairy-Free Smoothies
• Inspiration for This Healthy Smoothie
• Easy Way to Improve Your Afternoon
• Recipe
• Health Benefits
• Equipment
• Substitutions
• Storage
• More Healthy Recipes

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Silk.

Dairy-Free Smoothies

Today I am teaming up with Silk Soymilk to bring you a perfect way to get an afternoon pick me up, especially for those searching for a nondairy smoothie recipe. I've been drinking soymilk since I was in college (a.k.a. many moons ago). I can actually remember the exact time one of my college friends introduced it to me. While I was skeptical at first, I quickly grew to love it and now use it regularly as a milk alternative.

I like using soy milk because it's a good source of plant-based milk protein and has the most (8g per serving) of any dairy-free milk. It's also very reasonable in calories and low in saturated fat all while tasting delicious! I like that it stays fresh in the fridge for a long time and is very affordable too. I chose the Silk Original Soymilk flavor as my liquid base because it is the most versatile and I like the taste.

For more fresh smoothie recipes, check out my Mango Beet Breakfast Smoothie and this Dairy-Free Strawberry Smoothie made with strawberries, orange, and leafy greens.

Inspiration for This Healthy Smoothie

Some days I'm just dragging in the afternoon. As a working parent, that's going to happen no matter what you do to try to prevent it. There are just some weeks where despite all the effort, you can't get all the sleep you need. And since a sharp mind is necessary for accomplishing things during nap time, some days I need a little pick me up to get me on track.

When it comes time to decide exactly what I should choose to "pick-me-up" in the afternoon, I have some choices...

A handful of chocolate chips is always a tempting choice, and sometimes, that's what I do. But, usually I regret that decision as I just want more than one handful and I'm left STILL hungry and STILL tired.

A better option is to actually make myself something quick, satisfying and nutritious. Many days I have to convince myself to stop working and take this 10 minutes to nourish my body and replenish my energy levels. I'm never sorry that I do, it's just hard to stop working. Does anyone else struggle with this?

Easy Way to Improve Your Afternoon

When it comes to my afternoon power snack, a big goal of mine is to include a more plant-based diet. I like to think of it as eating food that is alive, and by alive I mean that it is full of life-giving components. Having this mindset is a lot more fun then focusing on what NOT to eat. It also ensures I get a lot of health-promoting nutrients into my body as a plant based diet is associated with a lower risk of many diseases.

Another goal is to get some protein in. I have found that choosing an afternoon snack with protein really powers me through the rest of the day. It is a great way to keep my brain sharp and my emotions more stable as I navigate the treacherous "witching hours" of 4-7pm with my boys. (Does anyone else need a delicious way to help with that time?)

Last week I whipped up an afternoon pick me up smoothie using soymilk and a few other favorite plants like avocado and cocoa. I wanted a creamy texture, chocolatey taste, and a satisfying solution for my snack and this simple smoothie delivered! There is a little shot of coffee in here, because let's face it, some days you just need it. {For the record, I try to limit drinking caffeine regularly in the afternoon.} You can easily exclude it if you prefer a caffeine free version of this smoothie.

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Recipe

Health Benefits

This smoothie is vegan, gluten free and dairy free made with quality ingredients.

Health benefits of avocados: They are rich in fiber, potassium, and unsaturated fats. In a 2022 study, researchers estimated that if you replace a half serving per day of dairy products, such as butter, or processed meat with an equal amount of avocado, you would see a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. They found the reduction to be around 16–22%. 

Health benefits of cocoa powder: It is thought to promote decreased inflammation, improved heart and brain health, and blood sugar and weight control. In a study of 546 healthy adults from six different countries, they found that consuming chocolate regularly showed significant improvements in executive function and verbal fluency.

Equipment

If you are going to make a lot of smoothies on any type of regular basis, it is worth investing in a great high speed blender. My favorite is this Blendtec.

Substitutions

A good reason to use soy milk for this recipe is that it's a good source of protein and has the most (8g per serving) of any dairy-free milk. It's very reasonable in calories and low in saturated fat all while tasting delicious! I like that it stays fresh in the fridge for a long time and is very affordable too. You could use almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or another milk of your choice in this dairy free smoothie recipe if you so choose.

Storage

For best results, drink immediately after blending.

More Healthy Recipes

After making this smoothie last week, I decided I needed to take a picture of myself, enjoying it during nap time, looking exactly how I usually look at this time of day (in sweaty workout clothes, messy hair and no makeup). This is NOT the most glamorous part of my day. While I wish I looked like my profile picture up there ↑ all the time, I more often than not look like this and I'm totally cool with that. I like being real with you all.

I hope this delicious smoothie recipe can be a better way to snack for you too and help us say NO to mindless chocolate chip eating in the afternoon. I'd love to know what you like as an afternoon power snack and easy ways you include more plants in your diet. And for more delicious recipes, start HERE.

To powering-up with more plants,

Jenna

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Silk.