Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Collagen Smoothie

Looking for a super easy but nutrient packed snack? Six simple ingredients and amazing flavor…I mean, chocolate and peanut butter– how can you resist!? This Chocolate Peanut Butter Collagen Smoothie will have you feeling satisfied in under 5 minutes.

Why this Chocolate Peanut Butter Collagen Smoothie Makes For a Great Healthy Snack

I always get asked about ideas for healthy snacks. And this smoothie is one of my top recommendations. It’s so simple with just 6 key ingredients.

So often we resort to refined carb foods for snacks, with little fiber and protein. Because this is what is the norm in America. Just think about it–

• What does the deli serve alongside the sandwich?
• Most common snacks fed to children?
• What snacks do we bring in the car for a road trip?

Goldfish crackers, pretzels, chips, etc. Usually highly refined carbs, highly processed foods.

But perhaps you might actually turn to fruit as a healthier option. Rightly so, fruit is a whole food which means it provides tons of natural nutrients.

However, even natural, whole food healthy carb-heavy snacks and fruit alone will spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling tired and hungry a few hours later. This does the exact opposite that you were looking for a snack in the first place– for energy and to kick cravings.

That’s why I love a quick but well-balanced snack like this chocolate peanut butter collagen smoothie. It contains the perfect nutrition you should be aiming for in a snack, which is a great mix of protein, fat & fiber (PFF) while keeping the total carbs more moderate. Learn more about the importance of balancing your meals with PFF below by downloading my free PFF Guide.

Should I Put Collagen in My Smoothie?

Yes, of course! Not only is it a delicious option for smoothies, collagen is easily digested and provides high levels of protein great for your metabolism, hair, skin, and nails.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a form of protein that contains almost all of the essential amino acids (building blocks of proteins), but contains a few amino acids in higher amounts (particularly glycine– actually helpful to support reducing anxiety) and some in lower amounts than regular protein. While all protein foods provide benefits and help repair tissues in the body, collagen can have a somewhat extra benefit for our hair, skin, nails, and gut lining. The amino acids in collagen may be more efficiently utilized in the body because it is a bit easier to digest than other types of protein because it is already broken down into peptides, or short chains of amino acids.

Food That are Naturally Rich in Collagen

• Bone broth
• Collagen peptides powder (My favorite brand is Orgain Collagen Peptides, from grass-fed and pasture-raised animals)
• Skin of fish
• Chicken (again, keep that skin on!)
• Pork (especially pork rinds)
• Bone-in canned fish
• Gelatin

Ideas for Using Collagen

I recommend using collagen as an excellent protein powder option. You can add it to many foods to increase your protein intake. Consider adding to some of these:

• Smoothies
• Oatmeal
• Yogurt
• Coffee
• Baked goods

Check out my other great snack recipes:

Mineral Rich Avocado Smoothie
PB&J Hormone Balance Smoothie
Collagen Protein Balls
High Protein Chia Yogurt Breakfast Bowl

Find more of my healthy and easy meal recipes here!
Follow me on Instagram @wonderfullymade.rd where you can find tons of tips for healthy eating to heal your metabolism!

Recipe blog written by Jennifer Franzen, RDN | edited & reviewed by Victoria Peck-Gray, RDN