A Pre-Bedtime Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake
Have you ever worked out in the evening and then had trouble getting to sleep?
I hadn’t, until recently. I’m an early riser and generally prefer to get my workouts out of the way earlier in the day. Lately though, my schedule has been requiring more late-night gym sessions, which means pushing my bedtime.
A young Whitney would have thrilled at this…
…old, tired Whitney misses her Z’s.
I found a new product recently though has solved the dilemma for me.
About Time’s Nighttime Recovery Formula is a casein-based protein powder (casein is the other protein in milk besides whey) and it’s flavored with stevia and peanut flour. It also has a coconut oil powder component to add a little healthy fat.
So what makes it a “nighttime recovery” formula? The addition of melatonin.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps control your sleep cycles and taking small doses of it has been shown as a safe and effective way to help with sleep disorders.
The powder also contains tryptophan, the amino acid precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects your feeling of well-being and happiness. A recent study showed that tryptophan enriched food products helped people sleep better, and go to sleep happy.
Another reason you’ll go to sleep happy after having this — it’s really tasty!
I paired it with my go-to bedtime smoothie ingredients for an absolutely delicious and goodnight-sleep-inducing treat.
Introducing, my super tasty Pre-Bedtime Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake.
Try it out if you too need a boost of protein post-workout and pre-bedtime.
- 1 Frozen Banana
- 1 Scoop About Time Zz's Peanut Butter Flavor
- 2 T. Cocoa Powder
- 1 T. Natural Peanut Butter
- 2 C. Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
- Ice
- Cacao Nibs for topping (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
About Time also makes a very tasty Chocolate Brownie flavored Fruit, Nut, and Protein Bar with five simple ingredients: dates, egg white protein, pecans, cocoa and fiber.
These, along with some cacao nibs, make an excellent topping for this pre-Zzz’s treat.
For those in need of post-workout morning fuel, their new gluten-free Protein Pancake Mix is pretty bomb too. All you have to do is add water to the mix.
Enjoy!
Weigh In: Do you workout in the morning or evening? Do you have trouble getting to sleep after nighttime workouts?
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of About Time.
Jana @ Happy a Wife Healthy Life says:
This sounds awesome! I am going to look into it. I recently have had to start working out in the evenings due to work schedule changes, and I have been more energized before bed. Thanks for the heads up and the smoothie looks awesome! :)
Whitney English says:
Thanks Jana! Let me know if you try it :)
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says:
This sounds SOOO good! :)
Whitney English says:
Thanks Tara!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Hi Whitney! You know, I’ve been reading a lot lately about eating peanut butter or a casein smoothie before bed to aid in fat loss. Not quite sure how I feel about that though. But this concoction? I can get behind that. I tend to do my workouts late, when I teach classes, yet I have no problem falling asleep. Knock on wood! Happy Friday!
Whitney English says:
I hadn’t heard that. I know nuts in general are are good for weight loss though – maybe that’s the reasoning behind it?
Ellen says:
Oh man I’m such an insomniac, I need to get some of that!
Kristal says:
I have such a hard time winding down most nights. My thoughts are usually on the hectic upcoming morning..(think, flying food, potty training, spills etc lol) This pre-bed shake sounds just as good as coffee in the morning! Thanks for sharing :)
Whitney English says:
Absolutely! Even when I don’t exercise at night, I sometimes have trouble getting my mind to slow down.
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things says:
What a great idea for a protein powder. I need this in my life! x
Whitney English says:
Get it!! :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
I actually use casein protein as my protein powder of choice- It tastes so much better! Didn’t know about time’s range included melatonin in it- That’s awesome! The shake is something I could use right now….
Whitney English says:
I’ve never really considered the difference between casein and whey – I just know there are many more whey products on the market. This does taste phenomenal though, so maybe that’s one of them :) If you have more insight about the pros and cons of each, I’d love to hear about them…
Brian K. says:
I have just started the KETO Diet and I’m still trying to get used to not having sweets before bed. I too was looking for fat burning options for nighttime to replace all that sugary crap I’ve been eating since this Pandemic thing began. I put on around 70 lbs. and it’s beyond time to get my weight back in order. I was checking out some smoothie/protein shake recipes just now, and one of them includes not only Casein, but also Whey, in the same recipe. Recipe is as follows:
Egg Whites(2)
2 cups Vanilla Almond Milk
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
1/2 scoop Casein Protein Powder
2 Tbsp. Natural Peanut Butter
1 Banana Sliced in Half
Brian K. says:
1/2 of this mixture is considered 1 serving. I’ll have to find it again so I can post the calories, protein, etc.
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch says:
I love how this products offers so many ‘perks,.’ What a cool product. And, I need cacoa nibs….I keep putting off buying them, but it’s getting ridiculous at this point. OI yoi yoi! Thanks Whitney! This recipe is perfect for my hubby too!
Whitney English says:
Yes, cacao nibs are the best. They’re super cheap too if you buy them from the bulk bins! xo
Kristal says:
This doesn’t have anything to do with this post but I just received an email from fitbook about ” the Whitney”. The designer’s name is Whitney English, at first I thought it was you but it’s not you in the picture. Just thought you should know :)
Whitney English says:
Yes, Whitney English, the stationary designer – she’s a big deal!! I always say that when my name appears before hers on a google search, I’ll know I’ve made it :) That’s cool that at least one person thought of me first when hearing the name though! xo
Margaret says:
Love this! So sweet (pun intended!)
<3 Margaret
http://happyinheels.blogspot.com/
Bethann Wagner says:
I work out in the evenings too! This looks delicious –does the About Time Zz’s have actual peanuts in it? If so, do you have a flavor recommendation for those w/ peanut allergies? Thanks! xo, BA
Whitney English says:
It does – but they have a chocolate version that is peanut-free!
Lauren says:
I make all sorts of variations on PB choc smoothies-yours looks amazing!
Whitney English says:
There’s no better combo than chocolate and PB, right? Thanks Lauren!
Nathan says:
Is the cocoa powder sweetened or unsweetened?