This vegan chocolate banana maca smoothie with hemp milk, chia seeds, and flaxseeds is loaded with nutrients and tastes delicious!

If you want a protein-rich, energizing, nutrient-dense smoothie that tastes like a dessert, this is it! I very rarely create recipes using 3 bananas! But, what the hell. Here we go!

This chocolate banana maca smoothie is rich and absolutely chock-full of nutrients and plant based protein. You could add more leafy greens if that makes you feel a tad less cheeky.

I have used homemade hemp milk as the base for this smoothie. As I mentioned in that post, hemp seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy plant based fats, antioxidants, fiber, enzymes, chlorophyll, essential fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory agents.

Hemp seeds also offer high quality plant-based protein. Not only do they contain all 10 essential amino acids, but hemp contains the amino acid, Edestin, which is considered integral to our DNA, making hemp the closest plant-based source of protein to our own human amino acid profile. Hemp protein is also highly digestible, and very easily absorbed by the body, leaving more energy for muscle regeneration and fat metabolism. Add in the potassium and magnesium content of bananas, the superfood strength of chia and flax, and the magical power of maca and you have a winning combination.

Maca is a wonder food. It is an incredibly resilient root vegetable, native to the Andean mountains of Bolivia and Peru. A member of the brassica family, maca miraculously grows at altitudes of 14,000 feet in poor volcanic soil and in extremely harsh weather conditions – freezing cold temperatures, fierce winds, and intense sunlight where no other crops can survive.

Despite this, maca rises with powerful medicinal qualities. Widely known as “Peruvian Ginseng”, maca is also known as an “adaptogen” that balances and revitalizes our system, combats stress, and supports the regeneration of the adrenal system. A perfect food for this fast-paced world that we live in.

Maca has been a lifesaver for me…literally. Last year, I was so busy flying back and forth to support Scott through his cancer treatment, writing books, keeping up with shoots, speaking engagements, and recording sessions, that I was so emotionally drained that I was diagnosed with severe adrenal fatigue. Including maca in my diet helped support my recovery. Maca also helps to lower cortisol levels which really helped me get good quality sleep.

Maca contains incredible phytonutrients — flavanols, glucosinates and isothiocyanates that neutralize free radicals, and is extremely high in vitamins, minerals, and protein (amino acids). This righteous root is also a rich source of steroid-like compounds that promote the regeneration of muscle tissue, making maca an amazing supplement for aiding workout performance and recovery.

Maca also helps promote vitality; metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins; maintain strong bones and teeth, form red blood cells and support their function; and so much more. The Peruvians used maca for thousands of years for increased energy and stamina. They believed it improved fertility and enhanced libido as well. Maca is also a brilliant plant-based source of vitamin B12. One serving contains about 70% of the daily recommended intake of B12 (as cyanocobalimin). It also contains large amounts of calcium, manganese, calcium, potassium, and iron.

When using maca in your smoothies, know that a little goes a long way. Maca likes to be the star attraction, and 1 teaspoon usually hits the sweet spot. The maca flavor intensifies in this blend when left to sit in the fridge. So, smoothies made with maca are best enjoyed as soon as they’re made.

Find more delicious smoothie recipes in The Blender Girl Smoothies book.

*Probiotic Powder – I add 1/2 teaspoon of probiotic powder to all smoothies to replenish stores of healthy bacteria for immunity, digestion, detox, and to balance the acidic effects of high-sugar fruits and other sweeteners. The really potent probiotics require refrigeration. If you have capsules, break the shell and release the powder. Unsweetened probiotic-rich liquids like kefirs (water, coconut water, milk varieties) or kombucha make wonderful health-promoting additions to shakes, too.

*Celtic Sea Salt – I add a pinch (or more) of this alkalizing, mineral-rich salt to all smoothies to boost the natural flavor of fruits and veggies; temper the acidity of sweet fruits and sweeteners; stimulate the lymphatic system; replenish electrolytes; aid digestion; and help the body access energy. I do not recommend adding common table salt which is generally heated to extreme temperatures, iodized, bleached, processed, and refined. This salt does not have the same benefits. If you have a health condition that requires you to limit your sodium intake consult your doctor before adding salt to your smoothies.