Rich, creamy, decadent, and nourishing my super easy, no-cook Chocolate Protein Pudding makes a delicious meal or snack for the Trim Healthy Mama (or anyone). It’s dairy, egg, nut, soy, and sugar free, too. It’s packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients, healthy fats, and over 17 grams of protein per serving. So, have pudding for breakfast if you want!
Sometimes, a mistake in the kitchen is disastrous.
Other times, it’s delicious!
The other morning I wanted a smoothie. So, I dumped some stuff in my blender. You know, like I always do – wing it and see what happens.
However, what happened was most definitely not a smoothie. It was more like pudding.
What a shame, right? Pudding for breakfast.
I suffered through it, somehow….
You might have noticed I’ve not been posting recipes for a while. I can explain…see BLOG, INTERRUPTED below…
BUT, in the interest of helping the other Mamas out there who need dairy free recipes I decided I better get this one on the blog.
Because it’s either get back at it or walk away. And I just can’t seem to walk away from this. I love it too much…even though it overwhelms me sometimes.
This recipe, however, is super easy and not overwhelming at all!
What Do I Need To Make Chocolate Protein Pudding?
I’ve used a couple optional ingredients for this pudding, they’re noted below:
- Large, ripe avocado (or equivalent amount of frozen chunks)
- Frozen okra (optional)
- Dairy free protein powder – I prefer Trim Healthy Mama Creamy Dreamy Plant Protein Powder
- Raw cacao powder or regular cocoa powder
- Sweetener – I use Trim Healthy Mama Super Sweet or my Mercy Sweet Blend.
- Psyllium husk (optional)
- Mineral salt
- Vanilla extract
- Water (or on-plan dairy free milk) – not pictured
Using water for this helps keep fat and calories a bit lower. In addition, it’s a basically free ingredient, unlike plant-based milks. I make it with water and it’s still rich, creamy, and delicious.
Which Is Better – Raw Cacao Powder Or Regular Cocoa Powder?
If you don’t have raw cacao powder, no worries! Regular cocoa powder is just fine. I prefer raw cacao for it’s nutritional superiority but I’m not above using regular cocoa powder if that’s all I have on hand.
This article from Wildly Organic does a great job explaining the difference between cacao and cocoa. Here’s an excerpt:
Raw cacao, which is the purest form of chocolate, is a superfood packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Cacao has more antioxidants than most foods, including green tea, red wine, and blueberries. A study conducted by Yale University’s Prevention Research Center has revealed that the flavonoid antioxidants in cacao products can lower the risk of heart disease, relieve depression, and improve mood and cognitive function.
Cacao vs. Cocoa: What’s The Difference?
The heat used in processing cocoa, however, destroys many of the beneficial components of the cacao beans.
Some people (like myself) also prefer the flavor of raw cacao powder over regular cocoa. But, either way this dairy free chocolate protein pudding is delicious!
I’m a big fan of Wildly Organic’s Fermented Raw Cacao Powder. I also like Navitas Raw Cacao Powder (and often find it at TJ Maxx for $4.99).
Do I Have To Use Okra?
No, you sure don’t! There seems to be 2 types of people in the world – those who don’t mind okra in things and those who can detect an okra miles away.
My son, who doesn’t mind okra in things said it was good and ate a big helping of it.
My daughter, who can detect an okra on Mars, said the texture was good but it tasted…weird. She thinks okra tastes “peppery” and isn’t super crazy about peppers, either. I suspect that’s what she was picking up. I honestly don’t notice it at all.
So, if you can’t handle okra in things, leave it out. You may need less water but other than that you’ll still have a delicious, creamy pudding thanks to the avocado.
What About Psyllium Husk? Are There Any Substitutions?
In the early days of THM I used gluccie (glucomannan powder) a lot. Anymore, I prefer to use psyllium husk to thicken shakes and smoothies and it works beautifully in this low carb pudding recipe too.
Also, psyllium husk adds fiber, which is a great thing for your gut.
However, the avocado is kind of the star here – making your pudding thick, rich, and creamy on its own. You might want to add a bit less water if you don’t add psyllium husk.
While I haven’t tried using gluccie, you certainly could if you like. I’d suggest starting with 1/4 teaspoon and see how it turns out, adjusting as you see fit from there.
Tips On Making This Dairy Free Chocolate Protein Pudding Smooth And Creamy.
The First Rule For Using Okra? Blend the snot out of it. Seriously. You must blend that stuff to death. Otherwise you end up with annoying little fibers and chunks.
So, when making this dairy free chocolate protein pudding blend the okra, avocado, and water first until it’s very smooth. Depending on your blender this can take a minute or more (or less).
Next, add the remaining ingredients. I also recommend giving it a bit of a stir to get the powders down into the liquids.
Blend until smooth and creamy. You’ll probably need to scrape the sides down at some point. You may also need to add more water, depending on how thick you like pudding.
Finally, give it a taste and adjust the sweetness if you need to.
You can eat it right away but it’s best if you pop it in the fridge for a while to chill first.
Tasty Toppings For Your Pudding.
While eating your pudding plain is certainly just fine, adding toppings makes it even better!
My two favorite toppings, at the moment, are this simple trail mix from Wildly Organic and raw cacao nibs.
The picture above is with the trail mix, which contains cacao nibs.
Other options to consider:
- Blueberries (keep to 1/2 cup or less for THM S)
- Strawberries
- Banana slices – this makes either an S Helper or Crossover, depending on how much banana
- Nuts or seeds
- Coconut flakes
- Sugar free chocolate chips
While we don’t count calories or worry too much about fat in a THM S meal, balance and moderation are always good things. Enjoy this as a decadent treat now and then with nuts or chocolate chips, keep it lighter other times and top with berries or eat it plain.
How To Include This Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Protein Pudding In Your THM Meal Plan This Week.
Always consult the Trim Healthy Mama Plan Book for the most accurate information on how to put your meals together.
This is a rich, delicious, and fabulously healthy THM S treat. Since it contains protein, it also makes a quick and easy meal or snack. Check out the nutrition facts below the recipe card, pretty impressive!
A plain, 1 cup serving is filling and satisfying, coming in at only 162 calories and 6.2 grams of fat. And, with just over 17 grams of protein per serving it’s perfect for busy days.
I generally start my days with an S or FP meal. Pudding for breakfast is definitely ok with these nourishing ingredients!
There’s more ways to enjoy my chocolate protein pudding, though:
- Pair with a lighter S meal for dessert. How about a big salad with a bit of my dairy free Creamy Citrus Salad Dressing.
- Follow up a Fuel Pull meal and make it an S. May I suggest my Sweet Tea Grilled Chicken (breast meat) and some fresh garden veggies?
- Keep it vegan and make it a Crossover with my Chickpea Taco Salad or low fat Veggie Packed Grain Bowl.
Blog, Interrupted.
Food has gotten…weird…for me this year. Some of it is navigating food sensitivities. There are so many foods on my avoid list that make life – particularly THM life – easy (and tasty).
So, I eat something on plan and sensitivity-friendly, but often it’s not exciting. Meh.
Blah. Some days it just feels like too much work and I’d rather not eat.
I’ve also added some amino acids supplements and they affect my appetite. Not necessarily a BAD thing, but I often go too long without eating because I just don’t wanna. Or, I’m so busy I don’t realize it’s time to eat again.
Again with the eating…wouldn’t life be so much easier without eating? No cooking, no dishes?
But yet…food is one of life’s most delicious pleasures. I’m still a foodie at heart. Just learning how to make foodie and everything else right now work.
Some of my issue is realizing that I’m quite likely dealing with some level of ADHD and definitely neurodivergent. And some days, food is just completely overwhelming.
The amino acids and bee pollen I take have really done a lot to clear out the cobwebs in my brain, but pushing past that overwhelming feeling of I’m So Behind On The Blog I Don’t Know Where To Start hasn’t been easy.
But I pushed through it and got this one done so I can do more, right? #icandohardthings
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Chocolate Protein Pudding | THM S, Dairy Free, Low Carb, Vegan
Rich, creamy, and full of healthy, nourishing ingredients this decadent chocolate pudding isn't a no! Plus, with over 17 grams of plant-based protein it's a perfect meal or snack any time of day. Don't need to be dairy free? Feel free to use whey protein powder or collagen instead. See notes for tips.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups water (more or less as needed)
- 1 cup frozen, cut okra
- 1 large avocado, peeled and seeded
- 1 cup THM Creamy Dreamy Protein Powder
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 4 teaspoons THM Whole Husk Psyllium Flakes
- 3 Tablespoons THM Super Sweet (or preferred sweetener to taste)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon mineral salt
Instructions
- In a blender jar, add water, okra, and avocado and blend until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape the sides as needed.
- If needed add more water to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust for sweetness as desired.
Notes
If you don't like okra, feel free to leave it out - especially if you can taste it in anything.
Psyllium husks are optional, as well. Leaving out either or both will change the fiber content but not drastically.
You can use an on-plan dairy free milk instead of water if desired, this will also change the nutritional profile.
You can use any protein powder in this recipe, but of course it may change the flavor.
If using whey protein powder, blend all the other ingredients first, then add whey last and blend briefly to mix well.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 6.2gSaturated Fat: 1.3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4.3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 158mgCarbohydrates: 12.2gNet Carbohydrates: 4.7gFiber: 7.5gSugar: 2.3gProtein: 17.4g
Nutrition information is approximate and based on the best knowledge available at the time of recipe publication. Your results may vary due to differences in ingredients. You can make your own calculations if this recipe does not include nutrition info by using an online calculator such as https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp
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