Chocolate Mint Protein Smoothie – A Super Shamrock Shake!

This post is sponsored by Optimum Nutrition and contains affiliate links.

St. Patrick’s Day or ANY DAY, my pumped-up version of a Green Shamrock Shake with protein powder is sure to satisfy post-workout recovery needs with 27g protein for muscle management.

This delicious, creamy Chocolate Mint Protein Smoothie features fresh mint and spinach, sugar-free chocolate chips. My protein choice today is Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey protein (in French Vanilla Creme) which offers 24g high-quality whey protein per serving and 5.5g naturally-occurring BCAA to help endurance and recovery.

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day or any day with this better-for-you version of a green shamrock shake -- featuring fresh spinach and mint plus other key ingredients like protein powder and a few sugar-free chocolate chips! A great post-workout snack or breakfast on the go. Get more clean eating recipes at thefitfork.com
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BTW, I’ve actually visited the HQ and manufacturing facilities for Optimum Nutrition and it was very impressive with so many safety protocols– it made it obviously clear why this product line is the “world’s best-selling whey protein powder” and why I trust it in my green mint protein smoothie (as well as so many other protein powder recipes).

I’m such a food manufacturing nerd, I could have watched the production line at Optimum Nutrition all day long!

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day or any day with this better-for-you version of a green shamrock shake -- featuring fresh spinach and mint plus other key ingredients like protein powder and a few sugar-free chocolate chips! A great post-workout snack or breakfast on the go. Get more clean eating recipes at thefitfork.com

This protein shamrock smoothie with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein was my post-workout snack after an intense sweat session the other day, but with 320 calories it would also make a great breakfast or light meal on the go.

EmpowerMINT mint smoothie with protein powder

Of course, you can trim it down a little by skipping the whipped topping and sugar-free chocolate chips — I’ve made it that way many times too!

“Shamrock Shake” Chocolate Mint Protein Smoothie
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day or any day with this better-for-you version of a green shamrock shake — featuring fresh spinach and mint plus other key ingredients like protein powder and a few sugar-free chocolate chips! A great post-workout snack or breakfast on the go. Get more clean eating recipes at thefitfork.com

Course: Beverage, smoothie
Keyword: chocolate mint, green bean, protein powder, protein smoothie, shamrock shake, smoothie
Servings: 1
Calories: 320 kcal
Ingredients
  • 8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 small banana about 6” in length
  • 3 Tbsp fresh mint leaves
  • ½ cup fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey protein French Vanilla Cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar-free chocolate chips save a few for the garnish
  • 2 tablespoons sugar-free non-dairy whip
Instructions
  1. Add almond milk, banana, mint, spinach, protein powder and chocolate chips to the blender and process until smooth. Blend in a few ice cubes, if needed, to achieve desired consistency. Add whipped topping and a few extra chocolate chips for garnish.
Recipe Notes

320 calories, 27g protein, 9g fat, 9g dietary fiber, 28g net carb.

Orange Coconut Chia Cheesecakes with Collagen – No Added Sugar, Gluten/Grain Free

You’ll love this tasty little treat, Orange Coconut Chia Cheesecakes with Collagen. A smart choice as a healthy dessert option, easy breakfast to meal prep or bedtime snack.

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In fact, I love to eat one of these healthy cheesecakes an hour or so before bed – the protein from the cottage cheese and collagen keeps me from getting hungry at night and support workout recovery and gains. In fact, studies show that most muscle “gains” happen during your deep, deep sleep. Both collagen and diary-products (like cottage cheese) are shown to support better sleep.

In addition to being a great snack or light meal for an active lifestyle, you’ll also love how easy these protein cheesecakes are to make – there is no official baking required, just a quick zap in the microwave to set the crust before topping with the cottage cheese filling. And, the orange protein cheesecake recipe makes four individual servings of collagen cheesecake which is great for portion control and meal prepping.

Each of these Orange Coconut Chia Cheesecakes with Collagen has approximately 234 calories, 8g net carb and 19g protein – no added sugar and gluten free, grain free.

If you’d like to consider collagen from Great Lakes Wellness (a brand I trust and have worked with for several years), you can save 10% with my discount code THEFITFORK10OFF

Great Lakes Wellness discount code THEFITFORK10OFF

Also, check out my past e-cookbook featuring lots of other variations on this same cottage cheese protein cheesecake recipe – No-Bake Protein Cheesecake Cookbook

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Great Lakes Gelatin 10% Discount Code: THEFITFORK10OFF
5 from 6 votes
Orange Coconut Chia Cheesecakes with Collagen
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
chill
30 mins
Total Time
37 mins
 

These low-carb protein cheesecakes made with cottage cheese and collagen powder are healthy option for dessert, breakfast, bedtime snack. Also, conveniently single-portioned and easy to meal prep. No added sugar and grain/gluten free.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: cheesecake, coconut, cottage cheese, low carb, meal prep, orange
Servings: 4
Calories: 234 kcal
Ingredients
Crust:
  • ¼ cup almond meal
  • ¼ cup shredded coconut
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon stevia baking blend
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Filling:
  • 1 ½ cup cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup vanilla collagen powder
  • ¼ cup orange juice
Topping:
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. shredded coconut
  • Optional: sugar-free chocolate chips orange segments
Instructions
  1. Mix together almond meal, ¼ cup shredded coconut, cocoa powder, stevia, and coconut in bowl until a “dough” made.
  2. Divide into 4 even portions and place each in bottom of four 12-oz. ramekin or mason jar.
  3. Press down with spoon to cover bottom of jar. Place all containers in microwave and microwave on high for 90 seconds. Remove, and set aside to cool.
  4. In blender, add cottage cheese, collagen powder and orange juice. Pour evenly over cooled crusts.
  5. In container with lid, add ¼ cup orange juice, chia seeds and 1 tbsp. shredded coconut. Add lid and shake until combined, chill for 10 to 15 minutes until gel setting.
  6. Remove chia gel and spoon evenly over cheesecakes. Add chocolate chips and/or orange segments if desired.
Recipe Notes

Apple-Pecan Quinoa Oat Breakfast Bake – Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Hello, and welcome to possibly to the one millionth flavor combination of my beloved morning meal — Apple-Pecan Quinoa Oat Breakfast Bake. While it’s a traditional flavor pairing with apples, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, and hints of vanilla, the baked oatmeal base is a bit unique as it co-mingles with the ancient “grain,” quinoa.

apple pecan quinoa oat bake tray meal prep

About 10 years ago, when I discovered that steel cut oats and quinoa cook up to the perfect, soft but slightly toothsome texture in the SAME amount of time, I started making these healthy grain breakfast bakes like an starved and obsessed woman. With every batch, a different combination of flavors (like the last was Pumpkin Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Bake) – always delicious and great to cook ahead to have a balanced breakfast on had for busy mornings. Continue reading

Berry White Chocolate Collagen Fat Bombs | Low Carb

Super-berry-low-carb-white-choc-alicious! My Berry White Chocolate Collagen Fat Bombs so pretty in pink and blue, plus easy to make with only four ingredients. Berry White Chocolate Collagen Fat Bombs

With just 1.3 net carbs, these sugar-free treats can work for a variety of diet types including keto, diabetic, Atkins, gluten-free and others. Plus, with plenty of fat and protein in each one, you’ll be satiated as your sweet tooth is soothed. Read on to get the berry fat bomb recipe and all the details.

Great Lakes Wellness discount code THEFITFORK10OFF

Continue reading

Chocolate Mint Protein Powder Fat Bombs | Low Carb Candy

Need a sweet treat, but don’t want to stray off your low-carb diet? My Chocolate Mint Fat Bombs are, well, the BOMB! Chocolate Mint Protein Powder Fat Bombs

Your macros stay on track, and this chocolate protein powder candy treat is easy to make, just 3 ingredients — coconut oil, protein powder and sugar-free chocolate chips. Read on to get the low carb candy recipe:  Continue reading