This Smoothie Tastes Like Dessert, Yet It's Packed With Nutrients

I love the cool, sweet, creamy treat in all its forms: piled high on top of a cone, layered in an ice cream cake, or drenched in sprinkles. But the mint chocolate chip milkshake really holds a special place in my heart and stomach. As an adult, it's one of those indulgences I constantly crave but almost never eat—until I discovered this healthier spin.

This year, one of my health resolutions is to eat more protein and build muscle mass—a key predictor of longevity and health span. But sustainable eating is important to me, so I knew I'd have to get a bit creative to pack more ethically sourced protein into my diet. 

With collagen—the most abundant protein in the human body—as my base, I started playing around to find a simple smoothie recipe that I'd actually want to drink year-round. After some tinkering in the kitchen, I landed on one that hits all the same notes as my childhood favorite, without the ensuing blood sugar crash.

Makes 2 servings

I treat it like a pre-workout drink and sip it around 4 p.m. to carry me through the end of the workday and into my evening workout. The healthy fats from the hemp seeds, protein from the collagen, fiber from the banana and avocado, and nutrients from the spinach make me feel full, fueled, and ready to go.

This healthier mint chocolate chip recipe fits protein, greens, and fiber into one nostalgic and highly craveable smoothie. We may be in the dead of winter, but it puts me in a summer state of mind with each sip. If you want to know all of the benefits you'll be getting from a single scoop of collagen powder, feel free to scan this guide. And learn more about beauty & gut chocolate collagen+ here.