Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

This anti-inflammatory chocolate cherry smoothie with beets in it is a plant-based superstar! It’s easily customizable to your preferences. You’ll love it!

I’ve been making this delicious smoothie super often for a couple years now, and I love it for a well-balanced but quick breakfast (or snack). My kids always want some of it, too (because who can resist a chocolate smoothie?).

Why Beets?

First of all, you can skip the beet in this smoothie if you want. I often make it without the beet if I don’t have one. However, this is an easy and yummy way to get the nutrition of beets!

Beets are very high in many antioxidants, nutrients and minerals. They have naturally-occurring nitrates that help dilate your blood vessels and help your body extract more energy from oxygen (which is an amazing advantage while working out!). Click this Nutrition Facts.org article here for more facts and videos about how beets can help your brain, heart, and improve your athletic performance. Beets are also high in folate, which is vital during pregnancy but also important at every life stage for blood cell function, and healthy skin, hair and nails.

Beets have a very earthy taste. However, cocoa helps distract from that taste (while adding important minerals!). It’s kind of like a red velvet smoothie!

Beets, greens and berries (or cherries) are all very high in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Add in some hemp seeds (or protein powder) for some plant protein, and you’ve got a delicious and satisfying way to start your day!

Here are some other favorite smoothie recipes!

Orange Carrot Ginger Smoothie

Cruciferous Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Heart Beet Smoothie

How to Get Started with Green Smoothies

Chocolate Beet Smoothie

Cocoa helps cover the strong taste of beets, and makes it really yummy to get the amazing nutrition of beets in! If you don't have beets or don't want to use them, put extra greens in instead.

Author: Faith Ralphs

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 small raw beet (about 2 inches in diameter)
• 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup frozen cherries (frozen strawberries are also good, but less sweet)
• 2 large dates (optional for more sweetness)
• 2 TBSP cacao powder
• 1 handful spinach or power greens
• 1.5 cups soy milk milk (or any plant milk)
• 1 TBSP hemp seeds or a scoop of plant protein powder

Instructions

 

• Peel and slice the piece of beet so it's easier to blend. Blend all ingredients together until very smooth. Enjoy!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!