Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

Published January 17, 2024 by Dr. Stephanie Gray, DC

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 This smoothie was inspired by Dr. Uma Naidoo, a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry. She paired cherries and cocoa to produce a tasty smoothie that is good for supporting mental health. Cherries contain tryptophan, an amino acid that plays an important role in serotonin production. (See text below for more reasons this smoothie is good for mental health).  I tweaked her recipe a little bit to make it my own.

This smoothie is perfect if you love cherries and chocolate. If you get bored of having the same old smoothie all the time, this recipe is for you! I promise you won’t taste the hidden spinach in this smoothie. 

It may be the dead of winter where I live, but it’s surprisingly easy to find frozen cherries to make this smoothie any time of year.

This recipe is naturally gluten, grain and dairy-free. Plant-based and paleo friendly. Be sure to use a protein powder that isn’t full of sugars and fillers. 

Make this smoothie with your own Homemade Almond Milk

Here are some more great smoothie recipes:

Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Lime Smoothie

Ginger Beet Smoothie

Lemon Chia Smoothie 

Healthy Blueberry Smoothie

**To be clear, I am not a mental health specialist and this smoothie is NOT a treatment for mental health.  Rather this smoothie was created to support and promote overall wellness based on scientific information currently available.  The purpose of this post was to bring awareness that food can affect your mental health just like it can affect your general health. If you are concerned about your mental health, take it seriously and visit a qualified Medical Doctor to discuss. 

How to Store this Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

This smoothie is best if consumed right away. Store in the fridge if you can’t drink it right away. The smoothie may naturally separate as it sits. Give it a good shake or a whirl in the blender before serving.

Here’s why this Cherry Chocolate Smoothie is good for mental health?  According to Dr. Uma Naidoo- Harvard trained nutritional psychiatrist

• The polyphenols from the cherries and cocoa powder, along with fibre from the spinach, make this smoothie good for your gut bacteria (gut health and mental health are related).

• Cherries and cocoa are both rich sources of polyphenols which are plant compounds that help reduce oxidative damage in the brain

• Cherries contain the amino acid tryptophan which is a pre-cursor for serotonin production. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter known to related to mood regulation.

• Cocoa flavanols have been shown to help improve mood

• Cherries contain melatonin, meaning they can help reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality. This smoothie can also be consumed as an end of the day dessert.

• The hidden spinach helps support neurotransmitter function and can aid in the prevention management and treatment of depression, Dr Naidoo explains

• The chia seeds are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega 3 fatty acid that has neuroprotective properties and promotes healthy brain development.

• With a balance of low GI carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins this smoothie will keep you full and focused throughout your morning

I’m a doctor of chiropractic, with a special interest in nutrition. I am passionate about healthy eating and using food to heal thyself. Food should be made in a kitchen not a factory. I believe in eating whole foods, keeping processed foods to a minimum. It is my goal to show you that eating healthy and cooking at home can be simple and very rewarding! All of my recipes are gluten-free. Some are ketogenic or paleo friendly.