Easy 5-Minute Banana Cacao Smoothie for Gourmets

THIS IS A TEST ARTICLE – PLEASE WAIT FOR THE FINALIZED VERSIONS ON THIS BLOG! ♥️

This smoothie is easy to make with just two key ingredients — Banana and Cacao. Like all WeirdSmoothies, it’s super healthy and delicious!

You’ll also get tips to upgrade your banana cacao smoothie to a healthy breakfast bowl by sprinkling superfoods into it – This keeps you and your loved ones energetic and fresh throughout the day. 🦋

Ready? Let’s get started! 👉 Jump to Recipe

Do you want to know more about the ingredients and health benefits? Keep reading! 👇

Prepare to Fall Head Over Heels for This Banana Cacao Smoothie!

Why should you try the banana cacao smoothie?

(1) Because it works with most diets (vegan and more)! 👉 Diets

(2) Because it keeps you healthy and beautiful! 👉 Beauty and Health Benefits

(3) Because it only needs three ingredients! 👉 Ingredients

(4) Because it only takes 5 minutes to make! 👉Recipe

(5) Because it only has 300 calories full of vital nutrients! 👉 Calories and 👉 Nutrition Table

(6) Because it’s easily affordable! 👉 Save Money

(7) Because you can pimp it with superfoods and use it as a healthy baseline for our delicious breakfast bowls! 👉 Bowls

So why not?

Which Diets Apply to the Banana Cacao Smoothie?

The following diets apply to the basic banana cacao smoothie recipe of just banana, cacao, and water:

Do you want to learn more about these and other diets? Feel free to dive into our full guide on the WeirdSmoothie blog — it’s super informative!

👉 Recommended Guide: An Overview of Dietary Plans

As you can see, the banana cacao smoothie adheres to the principles of many popular dietary plans.

Why should you care about any of those? Here are the seven top benefits of choosing a healthy diet:

1. Improved Energy Levels: Eating a healthy diet can give you the energy to stay productive and alert throughout the day.
2. Weight Management: Eating healthily can help you get your dream weight.
3. Improved Mood: A balanced diet helps to keep your hormones in check, improving your mood and reducing stress.
4. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
5. Improved Digestive Health: It can improve your digestion and help prevent digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn.
6. Improved Immune Function: A healthy diet can boost your immune system, making you less susceptible to illnesses.
7. Improved Heart Health: Lastly, it can reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other risk factors for heart disease.

Below, I’ll give you some variants that may influence these dietary considerations. But now let’s dive right into the health benefits, specifically, of the banana cacao smoothie:

Beauty in a Glass: Discover the Health Benefits of a Banana Cacao Smoothie!

Unlock your inner radiance with the banana cacao smoothie! Enjoy a healthier life today by sipping on this nutritious blend. In particular, here are the beauty benefits of the banana cacao smoothie:

Bananas are an incredibly versatile and beneficial fruit for the skin. They contain natural oils, vitamins, and minerals that can help to keep the skin hydrated, reduce wrinkles, heal sunburns, treat acne, and reduce puffiness.

Cacao is a great natural ingredient to add to your beauty routine and is beneficial for your skin, hair, and nails. It is full of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals that help to protect and nourish your skin and hair, while also strengthening nails and reducing discoloration and brittleness.

Health Benefits

🥜 In a Nutshell: The banana cacao smoothie has multiple health benefits. Bananas can improve blood sugar levels, support digestion, reduce stress and anxiety, and reduce blood pressure. Cacao has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improved heart health, increased cognitive function, improved mood, and improved skin health.

Bananas are incredibly healthy and nutritious, providing an excellent source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and magnesium. Eating bananas can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of anemia, improve digestive health, and even help reduce the risk of some forms of cancer. Bananas are also a great source of energy and can help people feel fuller for longer, aiding in weight loss. In addition, the natural sweetness of bananas can help to satisfy sweet cravings, making them a healthier alternative to sugary treats.

Cacao is packed with antioxidants and minerals that can help improve your overall health. It is a great source of magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium, all of which are essential for maintaining strong bones and healthy cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. It can also help to reduce inflammation, improve mood, and boost energy. Additionally, cacao is rich in flavonoids, which may help to protect against certain types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

These are only some of the plenty of health benefits. However, as with everything, you shouldn’t consume it too excessively. In the wrong dose, everything becomes unhealthy, even water!

👨‍🦳 Paracelsus: “There is nothing without poison; only the dose makes a thing non-poisonous.”

Ingredients – Anatomy of a Perfect Smoothie

Making a tasty smoothie is super easy—if you use good ingredients and blend them the right way. In addition to the base ingredients, we use 👉 blending and binding agents to create the perfect thickness and consistency.

Here are the base ingredients of a simple and healthy banana cacao smoothie:

• Base Ingredient #1: Banana
• Base Ingredient #2: Cacao
• Blending Agent: Water

Now, this would be the base smoothie — nothing more is needed!

⭐ But now comes the fun part: Use variations of blending and binding agents to make your smoothie more interesting, healthy, and delicious!

Do you want to know the secret formula to your perfect smoothie? Here it is: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. 🤓

1. Base Ingredients: Fruits or vegetables. For this recipe, bananas and cacao.
2. Blending Agents: Water, vegan milk alternatives (soy, almond, oat, pea), cow milk, coconut water, or other liquids
3. Binding Agents: Avocado, vegan yogurt alternatives (soy, almond, oat, pea), yogurt, nut butter (peanut, almond), or cottage cheese
4. Extras: Superfoods and toppings such as chia seeds, nuts, flaxseeds, herbs, cacao powder

Let’s dive into each of those next. The perfect smoothie starts with the perfect ingredients! 👇

🌸 Use Organic Ingredients! They are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Many people believe these chemicals are harmful to our health, so eating organic foods can help reduce our exposure to them. Organic foods also tend to be fresher and less processed, so they can retain more natural vitamins and minerals.

1) Base Ingredients – Fruits and Vegetables

Creating smoothies with your family is an easy and fun way to get your daily dose of delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables! Not only do these base ingredients provide a flavor base, but they also serve as the building blocks for a healthy snack or meal. Get creative in the kitchen and let your loved ones pick out their favorite fruits and veggies for a smoothie that will make them happy!

Banana Cacao Flavors: 😋

• Bananas have a sweet, creamy flavor with a hint of natural tartness. They are a popular flavor for desserts, smoothies, and baked goods. The taste can vary from mild and slightly tart to intensely sweet, depending on the type and ripeness.
• Cacao has a rich, dark, and complex flavor, with notes of caramel, coffee, and nuts. It has a slightly bitter and earthy taste, with a hint of sweet, dark chocolate.

Bananas and cacao can make for a delicious and nutritious smoothie to keep you and your loved ones healthy and beautiful. 👉 Beauty and Health Benefits

2) Blending Agents – Liquids

Liquids are a crucial component of smoothies because they help to blend the other ingredients together and create a smooth, drinkable consistency. Without enough liquid, your smoothie will be too thick and difficult to drink.

🛑 Beware! Two of my blenders got destroyed because I tried to blend too many hard ingredients and the thickness broke the blender knives.

The type of liquid you use in your smoothie can also affect its flavor and nutritional content, so choosing a liquid that will complement your other ingredients is important.

Here is a list of the eight most common blending agents for smoothies:

1. Water
2. Coconut water
3. Coconut milk
4. Almond milk
5. Soy milk
6. Oat milk (not gluten-free!)
7. Cow milk (not vegan or lactose-free!)
8. Juice

If you’re adventurous, you can also experiment with other liquids like tea or even coffee! ☕

3) Binding Agents

Binding agents are the secret ingredient that makes smoothies smooth and creamy! These ingredients are high in fiber and help to combine the other ingredients in the smoothie, creating the desired smooth and thick consistency.

They also add volume to the smoothie, making it more filling and satisfying. Plus, binding agents add serious nutritional value to your smoothie, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

So don’t skimp on the binding agents – they’re the key to a delicious and satisfying smoothie!

Here is a list of the eleven most common binding agents for smoothies:

1. Avocados
2. Peanut and almond butter
3. Plant-based yogurts
4. Milk-based yogurt (not vegan or lactose-free!)
5. Cottage cheese (not vegan or lactose-free!)
6. Frozen fruits
7. Oats (not gluten-free!)
8. Chia seeds
9. Flaxseeds
10. Psyllium husk
11. Protein powder

In addition to these ingredients, you can experiment with other binding agents, such as egg whites, cornstarch, or leafy greens.

4) Extras

Taste-enhancing ingredients like honey, maple syrup, dates, and vanilla extract can be added for sweetness. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger can also be added for extra flavor. Here’s a list of ideas:

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, macadamias, brazil nuts, chestnuts
• Seeds: Chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds
• Dry fruits: Dates, raisins, apricots, figs, prunes, goji berries
• Powder: Cacao, matcha, maca, coconut
• Natural Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave nectar, date syrup
• Spices: Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, ginger

To make your smoothie look more appetizing, choose your preferred colorful toppings from this list, such as fruits, nuts, seeds, or granola. For example, drizzle honey or agave syrup, sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg, or add a swirl of nut butter or coconut cream plus a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon. Et voilà! 👌

👉 Recommended: Pimp Your Smoothie – Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozens

Should You Use Frozen Ingredients?

There are many benefits of freezing your smoothie ingredients:

• Nutrition: Freezing your ingredients helps to preserve their nutritional content. Frozen fruits and vegetables retain vitamins and minerals longer than fruits that are not frozen.
• Antibacterial: Freezing food can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. Freezing kills many of the bacteria and organisms that cause food to spoil.
• Zero Preservatives: Frozen food is free from preservatives, i.e., it’s more natural!
• Shelf Life: Freezing can extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, so they stay fresh for months.
• Seasonality: You don’t have to go vitamin-free during winter but eat healthy (frozen) fruits and vegetables all year without excessive long-distance transportation.
• Plastic Waste: You can prepare zero-waste smoothies easily by purchasing raw ingredients, cutting them, and saving them in handy and reusable boxes. No plastic!
• Food Waste: Freezing food can reduce food waste. Fruits and vegetables can be frozen and blended later, rather than throwing out any leftovers.
• Convenience: The last thing you want to do is cut ingredients during a hectic day. Freezing food is super convenient and allows for easier meal preparation. Pre-frozen ingredients can make meals much faster to prepare.
• Money: You save money because you can purchase larger amounts of ingredients at a discount and have zero food waste.

You can either buy frozen fruits and veggies or cut them into handy portions and freeze them for future use.

🌸 Sustainability Tip: Freezing food could reduce global food waste by an astonishing 83%! Roughly one-third of food is thrown away worldwide, and 45% are fruits and vegetables. Freezing can largely eliminate this waste. (Martindale and Schiebel, British Food Journal 2017)

The following three banana cacao smoothie recipe variations are sure to tantalize your taste buds. So what are you waiting for? Get your blender out and get ready for a refreshingly delicious start to your day!

Do you want to make this smoothie even healthier? Check out our amazing selection of healthy bowl ideas based on this smoothie. Scroll down or jump right in! 🤩

Are you looking for the best blender for your kitchen? Look no further! We have scoured the market to bring you an unbiased comparison of the top blenders available. Find out which blender will best meet your needs and budget.

👉 Recommended Guide: The Ultimate Blender Showdown: Who Will Come Out on Top?

Banana Cacao Smoothie Calories — A Not-So-Guilty Pleasure

A homemade banana cacao smoothie typically has between 200 and 300 calories per serving (200 ml, one glass).

The amount of calories you need per day varies depending on your gender, age, height, weight, activity level, and overall health.

• The average woman needs about 2,000–2,400 calories per day to maintain her weight, and 1,500–1,800 calories per day to lose 1 pound (0.45 kg) of weight per week.
• The average man needs around 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day to maintain his weight, and 1,800-2,300 calories per day to lose 1 pound (0.45 kg) of weight per week.

👉 For comparison, 1 glass of the banana cacao smoothie (200 calories) has more calories than one cappuccino (80 calories) or one small serving of red wine (105 calories) but fewer calories than one 500 ml glass of beer (218 calories). 🍺

Banana Cacao Smoothie Nutrition

Nutrients	Base Recipe	Recommended Daily Intake (RDI, %)
Calories	200 calories	10%
Total Fat	2.2g	3%
Saturated Fat	1.3g	7%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	7.8mg	3%
Sodium	55mg	2%
Potassium	511mg	15%
Total Carbohydrates	37g	12%
Dietary Fiber	2.5g	10%
Sugars	22g	10%
Protein	4.5g	10%
Vitamin A	2.5mg	5%
Vitamin C	1.1mg	15%
Calcium	1.1mg	15%

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate – we use generalized estimates!

Save Time and Money with These 10 Tricks

🪙 Costs: You can expect to pay roughly $2 USD for one cup of the basic banana cacao smoothie. If you use advanced ingredients such as chia seeds and nuts, the cost of one glass will increase by another +$2 USD to $4 USD. Note that these are only rough estimates because the costs depend on your location and the quality of the ingredients.

Still too expensive? These 10 tricks will help you save money and time:

1. Buy pre-cut frozen fruits or vegetables, saving you time on prep work.
2. Freeze fresh ingredients before they expire and spoil — even nuts retain their nutrients longer when refrigerated.
3. Buy in bulk so you can save money on each individual item.
4. Make large batches of smoothies so you only have to do the prep and clean up once.
5. Use a powerful blender to make a large batch at once.
6. Don’t try to be exact with the measurements. Rough guesses will do to save time and minimize clean-up!
7. Drink the smoothie directly out of the blender, so you don’t have to clean your glasses after. (Just kidding.)
8. Use water instead of milk to significantly reduce the costs per cup.
9. Use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt, as it has more protein and will fill you up faster.
10. Add nuts and seeds for more protein, which are cheaper than protein powder.

And don’t be penny-wise but pound-foolish! A healthy lifestyle will save you tens of thousands of dollars in direct health costs, add years to your life, and make you more productive in the time you have!

🌸 Sustainability Tip: Shop seasonally and regionally for fresh ingredients to save money! When on sale, stock up, wash, portion, and freeze for future use. Your wallet and the environment will thank you!

Typical Mistakes and Problems

Problem: My smoothie is too thick. Solution: Add more liquids or other blending agents.

Problem: My smoothie is too thin. Solution: Add a binding agent to make it thicker, such as banana, avocado, nut butter, chia seeds, and frozen fruits.

Problem: My smoothie is too grainy. Solution: Add more blending agents (liquids) and binding agents (e.g., avocados, bananas, and peanut butter) to make it creamier. If nothing works, you may need to buy a better blender or change the knives.

Problem: My smoothie is too smooth. Solution: Congratulations. This is what it’s all about!

Problem: My smoothie is too bitter. Solution: Add natural “sweeteners” such as bananas, dates, or honey.

Problem: My smoothie is too sweet. Solution: Add lemon or lime juice, grapefruits, pomegranate, or plain yogurt to balance the sweetness.

Problem: I have leftovers. Solution: Put it into the refrigerator and drink it within 24 hours to avoid losing too many nutrients. Or put it into the freezer and save it for up to three months. Your kids will love the smoothie ice cream.

Banana Cacao Smoothie Bowl

When I sip a smoothie, it’s not as satisfying as a meal. Science backs this up: Chewing releases saliva that helps break down food, so no smoothie can replace a proper meal.

You can use the banana cacao smoothie as a basis for your innovative banana cacao smoothie bowl!

Follow the banana cacao smoothie recipe as outlined before. Then add your favorite unblended ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and peanut butter. Sprinkle in some oatmeal or healthy muesli. Superfoods such as berries, chia seeds, or flaxseeds are a perfect addition. Ta-da! Your banana cacao smoothie bowl! 🤗

Do you need more inspiration? Choose your favorites or be adventurous:

• Nuts and nut butter: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, macadamias, brazil nuts, chestnuts
• Seeds: Chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, psyllium husk
• Dry fruits: Dates, raisins, apricots, figs, prunes, goji berries
• Sliced fresh fruits: bananas, berries, pineapple, mango
• Powder: Cacao, matcha, maca, coconut
• Natural Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave nectar, date syrup
• Spices: Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, ginger
• Muesli: Oats, Cornflakes, Granola, Cereal

More Smoothie Recipes You May Like

If you liked this recipe, you’ll love our other crazy (and, yes, sometimes weird) smoothies:

• Banana Spinach Smoothie
• Apple Granola Smoothie
• Apple Cucumber Smoothie
• Banana Spinach Smoothie
• Apple Granola Smoothie
• Apple Cucumber Smoothie

Thanks and Bye!

Drinking the Banana Cacao Smoothie is fun, but cleaning it up—not so much. Anyways, thanks for checking out our weird smoothie recipe. I hope to see you around soon to check out one of our weird smoothie recipes!