Eating healthy can be super delicious and exciting!

This nutritious anti-oxidant and mineral packed smoothie tastes just like a chocolate ice-cream shake. Its creamy and decadent texture will satisfy your sweet cravings.

The main ingredients of this smoothie have incredible health benefits.

Raw cacao is an unprocessed form of chocolate. It is very high in antioxidants, sulfur, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and E, magnesium, chromium, iron and zinc. It is known to promote cardiovascular health, neutralize free radicals and lower bad cholesterol. Raw cacao stimulates high levels of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine, three crucial neurotransmitters involved in regulating mood, pain, sleep and appetite.

Cashew nuts have a lower fat content compared to other nuts. About 46% of calories in cashews come from fat, compared to, for example, 65-70% in walnuts and pecans. Cashew nuts are high in oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. They are also packed with minerals like copper, manganese and magnesium.

Make sure to soak cashew nuts for 2-6 hours and then rinse them thoroughly. Soaking nuts releases enzyme inhibitors, therefore increases nutritional value (nutrients get absorbed better) and makes the nuts more digestible. It also makes them soften and contributes to the creamy texture of this smoothie.

Bananas are nutritional powerhouses. They are high in potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins B6 and C, antioxidants and fiber. High amounts of tryptophan in bananas get converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin which is responsible for happy mood and combating depression. Bananas also stimulate the growth of good bacteria in your gut, therefore helping to keep you regular and build your immune system.

Just make sure to eat ripe bananas (with little brown spots), otherwise they will be too high in starch and might cause digestion issues.

Make this amazing smoothie to get all the aforementioned nutritional benefits!

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas

2 tablespoons of raw cacao

¼ cup soaked cashew nuts

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup coconut or almond milk

½ cup water

Instructions: Place everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a beautiful glass and enjoy!

 

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 Assistant Ed: Katharine Spano/Ed: Bryonie Wise