This healthy chocolate smoothie with strawberries & coconut is packed with antioxidants & is so delicious! Get the recipe and learn more about the latest findings on dark chocolate and heart health!
What would you say if I told you this super delicious and nourishing healthy chocolate smoothie with strawberries & coconut, may be just your ticket to a happy gut and a healthy heart?
If you’re saying “Cheers!”, read on for the latest research findings on dark chocolate, gut microbes, and heart health, then get my super simple recipe for delicious health!
The Latest Scoop on Dark Chocolate and Health
- Recent research suggests that some of the good microbes in our gut, namely Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria, like to feast on chocolate. What brilliant buggies! Me too!!!
- Once these good bacteria gobble up the dark chocolate, they then ferment it in to anti-inflammatory compounds that are good for the heart.
- Another recent study found that eating flavanol rich dark chocolate may also promote heart health by making arteries more flexible and decreasing the stickiness of white blood cells which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, aka thickening and hardening of the arteries.
- Scientists believe that adding fruit to chocolate may help boost the fermentation process, and a trial of a chocolate pill for heart disease in in the works, but I say, who needs a pill when you can drink this Chocolate Coconut Strawberry Smoothie instead?! Cheers!!!
Healthy Chocolate Smoothie with Strawberries & Coconut
Chocolate, coconut, and strawberries pair together deliciously in this super easy to make, heart healthy smoothie.
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Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries {stems removed} or frozen strawberries
- 1 cup coconut yogurt, dairy or non-dairy
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut, for garnish
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Combine strawberries, yogurt, cacao powder, and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour over ice, and garnish with cacao nibs and shredded coconut.
Notes
Vegan & paleo options: use non-dairy coconut yogurt.
Low FODMP option: Use lactose free yogurt or low FODMAP non-dairy yogurt.
Nutrition
Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 619mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 84.6mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 1.5mg
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Want more delicious updates on nutrition, well-being and health? Check out my favorite posts from this week…
Weekly Link Love
- The super lovely, smart, and talented Kellie of Food to Glow discusses the latest study on just how many fruits and veggies we should aim for eating each day for good health, then shares her fully-loaded Cauliflower Salad with Roasted Turmeric Chickpeas. Oh, my, yum!
- I’m a big believer that WHERE our calories come from {mostly whole, minimally processed, REAL food} is super important for optimal health, but, at the end of the day, there’s no denying that MORE calorie in, than calories expanded, will ultimately lead to an, ahem, expanding waistline. If you’re gaining {unwanted} weight, even if you think you’e eating healthy, this article on 13 Secrets to Portion Control may be just what you need to help you eat less and still feel satisfied.
Had you read the latest research on chocolate, GI microbes and heart health? Do you get a daily {or almost daily} dose of dark chocolate? Chocolate pill or Chocolate Coconut Strawberry Smoothie for heart health…Which would YOU choose???
P.S. Want an extra dose of dark chocolate deliciousness? I think you’ll love these favorite recipes of mine!
- Decadent Dark Chocolate Muesli~Tastes like hot chocolate in a cereal bowl. Divine!
- Cinnamon Almond Mocha~Heart healthy AND with skin protecting ingredients!
- Homemade Chocolate Lollipops~Super fun treat, and you can make them healthier with dark chocolate, nuts,sees, and dried fruit.
- Raw German Chocolate Cake Balls~Need I say more???
- Triple XXX Chocolate Biscotti~Intensely delicious!
- Terra’s Tofu Chocolate Mousse~A healthy treat for when the chocolate craving hits.
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Love Bites~These super healthy cookies get rave reviews from everyone who’s tried them!
- Chocolate Lava Cake with Fresh Raspberries~This one is a little more on the indulgent side but, oh.so.worth. the indulgence!
