It’s no joke. These veggie-loving registered dietitians have a serious sweet tooth. We work hard to keep them in check and we’re always concocting different creations that tantalize the taste buds without putting health and waistlines at risk. This lil’ number was inspired by our love of Peppermint patty’s, which we pretty much only used to have at Halloween, but the delicious memory of it makes our mouths water all year long! 🙂 Yep, this low-calorie refreshing smoothie squashes chocolate cravings and flushes bloat and is a throwback to one of our favorite childhood candies…
Growing up in a healthy household, Halloween was the one time of year where we actually had candy in the house—and we were allowed to have one piece for dessert each night, until we ran out. We were certain to make the most of our Halloween candy since we wouldn’t be so lucky for another year—so after we’d go trick-or-treating, we’d have candy trading sessions with our friends where we’d trade off least favorite candy for ones that included chocolate. Turns out that one of our all -time favorite candies back then, is surprisingly one that as registered dietitians, we consider a better option—peppermint patties! The calories and fat are fairly low compared to most candies and mint is refreshing and satisfying and chocolate hits the spot. And we’ve found that any recipe that includes either of these ingredients is very satisfying—like our Oreo No-Bake Mint Balls, Homemade Skinny Strawberry Mint Ice Cream and our Thin Mint Dip and now this hit!
This Creamy Peppermint Patty Smoothie is refreshing and satisfies chocolate cravings all while flushing bloat! The banana and avocado not only make this smoothie rich and creamy, they also provide a good source of potassium. Potassium helps to decrease bloat by flushing excess water the body is holding on to in order to dilute large amounts of sodium. The fiber in this smoothie helps to keep you regular, preventing waste from staying in your digestive tract, so it also helps alleviate bloating. And avocado is one of the better sources of glutathione which is key in detoxification in the small intestine and in boosting the health of the digestive system. So when you want a tasty treat that will squash cravings and beat the bloat too, blend up this waistline-friendly drink!
Creamy Peppermint Patty Smoothie
This Creamy Peppermint Patty Smoothie is a perfect dessert or afternoon pick-me-up when you’re craving something sweet and refreshing that won’t leave you feeling drowsy. Carob powder is a great alternative to chocolate–it has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and is high in minerals and fiber.¹ If you don’t have carob powder on hand, or prefer a stronger chocolate flavor, feel free to use cocoa powder or raw cacao powder instead.
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 cup plain unsweetened almond milk
1 very ripe medium banana,* sliced and frozen
1/2 scoop organic chocolate protein powder *optional (approximately 60 calories & 10 grams of protein); this is optional but without it, the smoothie won’t be as satisfying
1/4 avocado
1 1/2 cup ice cubes
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. raw carob powder (OK to use cacao or cocoa powder)
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract or a small handful of fresh mint leaves
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. Enjoy!
*If your banana isn’t that ripe, and you’d like a sweeter smoothie, you can add a little stevia or honey to taste. Note that honey will add some calories to the nutrition facts below.
Nutrition Facts: 125 Calories, 4 g Fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 83 mg Sodium, 22 g Carbohydrate, 5 g Fiber, 11 g Sugar, 12 g Protein
- 1 cup plain unsweetened almond milk
- 1 very ripe medium banana,* sliced and frozen
- ¼ avocado
- 1½ cup ice cubes
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 Tbs. raw carob powder (OK to use cacao or cocoa powder)
- ¼ tsp. peppermint extract or a small handful of fresh mint leaves
- Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. Enjoy!
- *If your banana isn't that ripe, and you’d like a sweeter smoothie, you can add a little stevia or honey to taste. Note that honey will add some calories to the nutrition facts below.
