This easy sugar free chocolate smoothie recipe uses cottage cheese for a great way to get a high protein meal! This low carb keto smoothie recipe with healthy fats, has 37 grams of protein and just 6 g net carbs!
Sugar Free High Protein Chocolate Smoothie
This recipe and photos are from July 2012, before the trend of cottage cheese in everything!
Who doesn't love chocolate for breakfast as a sweet treat for busy mornings??? Sneaking it in for breakfast feels almost sinful BUT this is NOT your average chocolate milkshake here, no added sugars here!!!
No guilt at all in having this for as a meal replacement or delicious keto snack!!
Just 5 simple ingredients needed for a creamy keto breakfast smoothie!
This is really the most delicious high protein smoothie that will keep you full till your next meal. In fact it is my new favorite breakfast and I just finished off one before I posted this.
Low Carb Chocolate Smoothie
I just finished up my low-carb protein powder that I bought from Whole Foods and this was my last recipe including it before I buy more or try a different brand.
My favorite brand of whey protein powder is the Jay Robb brand because of the minimal ingredients and no sugar added.
Before you check out the ingredients in this smoothie below I need to tell you a big secret I've been keeping. I absolutely hate, detest, can not stomach eating cottage cheese, I will surely gag.
In fact it is almost difficult to spoon it out to use in a recipe. BUT it is perfect for a keto diet or low-carb diet when you want to also prioritize protein.
I knew, as a recipe developer who is on a ketogenic diet, I must start incorporating this great addition in my recipes.
The cottage cheese is what gives this smoothie a SMOOTH, thick and creamy texture!!
Why Cottage Cheese in a Smoothie?
Do you want to know the best part about this ???
NO COTTAGE CHEESE TASTE IS NOTICEABLE AT ALL! Trust me, I would NOT lie to you!!
I first experimented with cottage cheese in my Pumpkin Vanilla Smoothie, but used only a ¼ cup.
It was terrific so I increased the amount and added the protein powder for this healthy low carb smoothie recipe.
I just added a few cacao nibs on top for a little crunch. They are unsweetened and do not have a bitter aftertaste.
If you are looking for a way to increase your protein and enjoy a keto chocolate milkshake that doesn't even taste like a protein powder shake, this is the way to go.
My friend Katie over at Dashing Dish has some fabulous creative smoothie combo's with cottage cheese. You can check her Giant List of Protein Shakes here.
Best Brands of Cottage Cheese
The good news about cottage cheese is that you can find it in every grocery store.
The specific brands I like are the Green Valley Lactose Free Cottage cheese since my daughter and I have a lactose intolerance, this works better for us without stomach issues.
The Good Culture brand is also great and organic, perfect if you don't have a lactose intolerance.
You could use low fat cottage cheese if you prefer but I wouldn't recommend it as full fat has a lot more flavor and makes this rich and creamy.
Can I make this dairy free?
If you can find a vegan cottage cheese then yes you could make it dairy free. If not, a good substitute for cottage cheese would probably be tofu or dairy free yogurt.
Can I replace the Stevia?
Yes, you can use any low carb sweetener you prefer.
Here's my Sweetener Guide of natural sugar free sweeteners and also included is my conversion chart to help you decide how much of another sweetener to use to replace the stevia in the recipe.
I'd recommend liquid Monk fruit in chocolate flavor to replace the stevia I used.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
This Keto Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Ice Cream- you can turn this high protein ice cream into a keto protein shake simply by not freezing the peanut butter mixture which consist of 3 main ingredients.
This Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie also has a high protein content using keto protein powder and mmmm.
This Triple Berry Smoothie is made with full fat coconut milk and delicious topped with Keto Granola and low-sugar fruits like blueberries.
This Low Carb Green Smoothie uses wholesome ingredients like cucumber.
Low Carb High Protein Chocolate Smoothie Recipe
High Protein Chocolate Smoothie (No Sugar Added)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk or heavy cream or coconut cream
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder or ¼ cup
- ½ teaspoon chocolate liquid stevia or see notes above
Optional
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond butter or peanut butter,
- 1 tablespoon MCT oil or coconut oil
Instructions
- Add your almond milk, cottage cheese and cocoa powder to your high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Once well blended, add the rest of the ingredients to your high speed blender until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetener. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe was first published in 2012.
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
PS
I was truely amazed! I never would have thought that it would have turned out so smooth and creamy! Yum! No lumps from the cottage cheese and way more chocolaty than with the protein powder alone! I threw in some spinich for extra nutrition and couldnt taste it either.
Trude McLaren
Great recipe, which I found to see if others were doing the same as me. I too make cottage cheese smoothies as I low carb, and they are great.
Tip: I make zucchini/courgette spaghetti, which leaves the moist core of the zucchini. I chop these up and freeze them, and when you pop these in the cottage cheese smoothie, you get a great nutritious additive of fibre with no extra taste that will make it ice cold and delicious and help thicken it up.
Tip2: Adding a small piece of beetroot will colour the smoothie pink (don't use if you are making the chocolate version).
Tip3: adding psyllium husk powder or Fybogel will also add thickness to any shake.
There's so much you can add in these without adding sugar.
K
Hi - I was wondering if it matters if the whey protein powder is unflavored or vanilla?
Brenda
No it fine's if it's different than suggested.
Mary
I was wondering if there is caffeine in the shake
Brenda
No caffeine.
Stella
What can I substitute for the almond milk? Skim milk? (Allergic to almond milk)
Brenda
Any milk you like is fine.
Clddmama
Came across this as I was looking for some low-sugar options for breakfast that would still satisfy my chocolate need. While it was delicious, I decided to compare the cottage cheese vs. plain old low fat greek yogurt. While the yogurt was slightly higher in calories, it had twice the amount of protein as the cottage cheese and only a quarter of the sodium. So folks should keep that in mind if they also need to monitor their sodium intake.
Jennifer W
Looks delicious! I don't have any Stevia. How much honey could I substitute?
Brenda
Really up to you, try 2 tbsp, taste it and see if you need more.
Jen
Thanks! I made this today. I used 1 tbsp honey and half a banana for the sweetener. I also made one for my 18 month old daughter substituting vanilla yogurt (I ran out of cottage cheese), 1 tbsp of the cocoa instad of 2, and half a banana. Needless to say it was her first chocolate smoothie and she loved it!
Brenda
That's fantastic!
Mary Margaret Hilton
I have the Robb whey in vanilla that I need to use up. How much more chocolate drops or cocoa should I add to keep it chocolaty?
Gina Tallarico
Delish! I used unsweetened chocolate almond milk and no sugar chocolate whey!
Michelle
I just lost 20 lbs and have about 10 more to go, I need to switch it up to stay on my plan. This should help. And as a vegetarian, I am always looking for a new idea. Thank you!
Neco
Being diabetic I have to watch carbs and protein intake. Love this recipe! Low carbs and high protein = perfect combo! Thank you! 🙂
Brenda
I'm so glad!
Rosa Maria Agreda
I would love to do this next week for my breakfast. Looks soooo yummyyyyyy!
But just one question... theres some protein shakes that are so HIGH in protein that doctors recommend not having another food at brakfast just that.
Well, thats my question.. can i have another thing like bread or eggs, or is gonna be too much?
Thanks, xoxo!
Brenda
This smoothie is quite filling I doubt you'll really want anything else with it. It is super high in protein as well. But I'm not a doctor so you may want to ask yours.
jessica
I can't help but wonder if you got this idea from dashing dish
Brenda
I haven't even seen her recipe.Furthermore If I had I would have mentioned it. My hubby loves cottage cheese and its always in my fridge and I have used it in another one of my smoothies as well: Pumpkin Vanilla!
I always give credit to another blogger and never steal content or recipes!
Jen
What can you use as a sweetener if you can't use anything "artificial" even Splenda, sucrose, etc. The doc has told me even to watch out for stevia and it has a bitter aftertaste. I've been told Aguave isn't much better than honey so use honey bec it's natural. What's your opinion.
Brenda
I totally recommend stevia and the brand you buy is the problem if there is an aftertaste. Here's my post to answer your questions; https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/top-3-refined-sugar-free-sweeteners/ and also this one; https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/qa-saturday-top-3-best-stevia-products/
Kathy
Since you mentioned looking for a new protein powder I wanted to share the one I use and love. It is yummy and not chalky at all. https://www.omnitrition.com/kathycrutchfield. If you want more info on it you can email me at kathy_crutchfield1@yahoo.com. I would love to share with you about the vitamins and supplement also. They have made a big difference in my families life. =).
Malky
I can't do any dairy do you have any great substitute ideas for cottage cheese ?
Brenda
I specified the dairy free smoothies above for you. Also you could try a coconut yogurt in place of the cottage cheese or just use coconut milk. Nutrition info will change.
Crystal
I regret FOR you that you don't like cottage cheese. Be that as it may, it is a wonderful addition to oatmeal. Stir in about a half cup into your mix and then cook. Low taste. High protein. Also good to replace expensive fat free ricotta. Just add some garlic and Italian herbs.
Terri Cook
I use ricotta cheese instead, it has less sugar than cottage cheese.
Charlotte Moore
I put frozen banana or strawberries in my protein shakes. Makes it thick like a real shake. So good!!!! I only use almond milk or low fat milk. I will have to try this.
Jan J.
Well bless you! I HATE cottage cheese too but it is so good for you - never thought of putting it in a smoothie! I can't wait to make this and add it to other smoothies too!
The Better Baker
I'm soo excited I'm jumping up and down in my chair!!!! =) This sounds amazing and I'm making it for br'fast. What could be better? I cannot imagine...and I love cottage cheese. Thanks so much for sharing another winner drink. I sure do LOVE your recipes - keep em comin!
Melissa
What brand of unsweetened whey powder do you use? I am always looking for great recipes...just found your site. Thanks!
Brenda
Under the second picture I shared the link to the post for the brand and it's nutrition info.
Danijela
I would never have guessed that this one is made with cheese, but I am glad that you can't recognize it while you drink it. I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Judy
AWESOME - I love cottage cheese - but you don't taste it here. I bet my husband would even like this!!!
Christine
I just made a smoothie similar to this one that called for cottage cheese, but I didn't have any (and I really didn't like the idea of putting it in my smoothie...), so I just subbed in Greek yogurt instead. Seemed more logical than cheese, haha!
I only like my cottage cheese alone or with cucumbers and a bit of salt and pepper, not with sweet stuff!
Theresa
Glad you wrote that you can't stand cottage cheese so much, because I am the same way and wouldn't have tried this recipe if you hadn't written what you did!!! Now I'm anxious to try it!!! : ) (Never thought I'd buy cottage cheese!!!!)
Brenda
I know Theresa but honestly you will truly love this!!
Maggie Elliott
Almost a year ago I started having trouble with weakness/feeling jittery and have had to incorporate a high protein diet. Your high protein shakes have been a God-send for me! I eat one every day for lunch. Thank you for publishing new recipes!! Can't wait to try this one!
Brenda
Awe thanks, I'm so glad!