Healthy Chocolate Pudding
Disclaimer: This post is a review for Vega Sport. I was given the opportunity to participate in this review through my Sweat Pink Ambassadorship and was provided with a box of Vega Sport Performance Protein packets as part of Vega’s Fuel Your Better campaign. I received no other compensation for this review and all opinions are 100% my very own.
I am a reluctant vegetarian.
I really don’t mean to be.
It just kinda happens…
Sometimes I go to the store with a hankering to try out Taylor’s quinoa crusted chicken and end up walking out of the store with tofu…
Sometimes, I decide am gonna take the bull by the horns and actually get some bona fide lean, grass fed, red meat to try out Mike’s Gouda stuffed meatballs and chicken out (bad pun there) and end up walking out with garbonzo beans…
I really don’t mean to…
It just kinda happens.
Clearly, I have issues…
Clearly, there are times when I don’t seem to get the protein I need.
So, from time to time, I have resorted to supplementing my protein intake with protein powders.
I have tried many different kinds – from delicious to chalky, from coffee filled ones to stimulant free ones, from vegan ones to a lactose-intolerants’-nightmare ones!
A week ago I received a 12 pack of Vanilla Vega Sport Performance Powder through Sweat Pink’s Ambassador Program/Vega’s Fuel You Better Campaign and decided to take it in shake or pudding form consistently for 1 week – which was a challenge in itself for me: thus follows my week long trial.
The first couple of days, I had a chocolate shake with Vega Performance Protein Powder right after a workout in the early morning (my day starts at 4am – insane? well, I said I had issues) and I found myself super sleepy by 9am – so I switched my shake to a pudding with Vega Performance Protein Powder after dinner for the rest of the week and that seemed to solve my early morning need-to-snooze.
This past week (my first with Vega Protein Powder pulsing through me) also was my 3rd week on P90X3. I did notice that this week, my bits and pieces were not as sore as in the first 2 weeks through the program. At first I thought it was because I was getting used to the workouts, but, then when my non-expert self went snooping aka Googling, I found that Vega Performance Powder comes jam packed with over 5000 mg of BCAA’s – (and if you are wondering what in tarnation are BCAA’s) – according to numerous sources, BCAA’s or “branched chain amino acids” are said to help reduce muscle breakdown during exercise, among other things.
Vega Performance Protein is a plant based protein powder that contains a “Complete Protein Blend” with pea protein, SaviSeed protein, Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice Protein, and Alfalfa Protein. SaviSeed protein is a new addition to the enhanced new Vega Performance Protein Powders and is said to be “a rich, plant-based source of the amino acid tryptophan“. Again, I am no expert, but trytophan in turkey makes me wanna take a snooze – so I am not sure if this was the reason for my sleepiness the first couple of days.
My week with Vega is now up – but I think I will go ahead and finish off those other 5 packs and then hunt Vega down in a store or online.
What really made Vega Sport Performance Protein stand out for me was:
• The taste – no chalkiness, no after taste (I had mine with almond milk), not overly sweet
• The versatility – great in shakes and pudding – like this chocolate performance pudding
• This protein powder is also completely dairy free (a lactose intolerant’s dream), and gluten and soy free.
• There are no added refined sugars – only stevia leaf extract which keeps the sugars per serving at 2.8 grams
• And, an actual, feel-able difference in recovery after a workout.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 avocado
- 1 packet of Vega Sport Performance Powder in Vanilla 1.2 oz
- 2 teaspoons trader Joe's Organic Chocolate Syrup
Instructions
- Place the milk, avocado, Vega Protein Powder and TJ's chocolate syrup in a blender
- Bend till all ingredients are combined
- Spoon into a container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before eating
I have some avocado that I was going to use in a smoothie tomorrow- scrap that, I see pudding in my near future. I’ve been wanting to try Vega, especially the Vega One Vanilla Protein- glad to know that you enjoy it! Lately Sunwarrior is my favorite brand- definitely try it out once your protein powder stash runs out :)!
Thanks for the tip Khushboo – I definitely need to give Sunwarrior a try when I am out, specially seeing it’s dairy free too! Vega is one of the best tasting vegan protein powders I have had so far – and it seems to be really good at thickening up a shake and this pudding too.
This is a great pudding recipe! We buy protein powder regularly and since avocado is a favourite too, so I am going to make some too! They look really smooth and creamy.
Thank so much Angie – my blender is responsible for getting it so ultra creamy 🙂
I love chocolate pudding but have yet to make it with an avocado.Looks deLish!
Hope you have a great day Shashi!
Thanks so much Melanie – I sure hope you gve it a whirl! 🙂
I love me some avocado pudding, but I have yet to try it with protein powder. I’m definitely going to give it a go when I’m back.
Have a great week my friend!
Thanks so much Mike – enjoy the rest of your time in Amsterdam my friend! 🙂
Ohhh protein pudding you said?’ So right up my alley! This looks soooo creamy and delectable. I’d love a bg bowl of the stuff stat!
Consuelo – Thanks so very much – by the way, did I mention it has chocolate in it? 😉
I’m quite conscious about what I eat especially for desserts. Thus, this pudding is simply perfect for me.
Thanks you so so very much Nava!
Oh sweet mother… this looks amazing. I looooove how creamy and decadent it looks. I’ve made chocolate avocado pudding before, but never with a little added protein boost. I try not to rely too much on protein powders, but I do love the flavour and nutrition boost they give to things.
Happy Monday, lovely! <3
Thanks so much lovely lady – I think I eat my weight in chocolate pudding every month (maybe even every week)!!! I am not consistent in adding protein powder to my day as I am chocolate to my day – but for this Vega review I felt I couldn’t give an honest opinion if I didn’t try to change my philandering ways! 🙂
what a great idea to put the Vega Sport Performance Powder in the pudding!! how is P90x going? I did that workout many many years ago!! my arms got pretty toned. . probably should do it again! 😛
Thanks so much Alice!
Actually, I am currently doing P90X3 – I have done P90X before and LOVED it – P90X3 consists of challenging 30 minute workouts – they are not as taxing on my arms as P90X workouts were but they are freakin amazing at engaging the core – in just about every workout!
I love chocolate avocado pudding. You can’t beat that creamy texture! I’ve never tried Vega but I’m now wondering if the protein powder I have at home would work…will definitely have to experiment!
Thanks Parita – yes, please do experiment and see – would love to know how it turns out and what powder you used?
I need this in my life ASAP!! Perfect post workout dessert,right?!!
Ami – yes this is the PERFECT post workout Dessert 😉
Oh wowsers, this pudding looks amazing Shashi! Love the avocado in here – looks so creamy and decadent and what a great idea to add protein powder in here too! Sounds perfect for fuelling up after a workout 🙂
Thanks so very much Sweet Kelly! 🙂
I am a sucker for delicious chocolate. But a delicious chocolate (that looks so good with those berries) AND you can tell a difference in your workout recovery? I’m IN!! Awesome! I’m getting some Vega Sport Performance Protein right now!! –Lisa
Thanks Lisa – don’t you love how chocolate just automatically amps up the yum factor?! 🙂
I love the look of this and how fabulous they are lactose and GF and so low in sugar. And you get up at 4am? You’re making me feel very lazy xx
Thanks so much Charlie – I’ve been waking up between 4-4.30 since I was a teen as a few of us used to go running before school – some habits are hard to break 🙂
That might be performance pudding but from this angle it just looks delicious! 4am? bah!
Haha – thanks Maureen!
Oh wow, looks so creamy and smooth and cold and delicious. It’s healthy too, very good indeed. I love avocado and chocolate.
Thanks so much Suzanne – it’s super easy to make too 🙂
This looks good enough to eat no matter if you need protein or not! After all it’s chocolate! 😀
Haha – thanks Lorraine – ahh the power of chocolate!
I’ve never used any type of protein but I always wonder if I get enough and if something like this would help with all those random aches!!
Kim – I’ve randomly taken protein powders – but none seemed to have really helped with aches/pains – but this one did – hoping it wasn’t just in my head! 🙂
Ooohh I love the adding of the avocado to this! also i sometimes go through bouts of accidental vegetarianism too! i love tofu and its usually my protein of choice (that or fish)…
Thanks bunches lady – Yay for bouts of accidental vegetarianism!
(*sigh*) Now I’m craving chocolate pudding. Thanks, Shashi! 😉
Hahaha – your welcome Sashi 😉
Love the addition of the avocado! So unique!
Thanks so much Ashley
Even as a vegetarian I don’t tend to worry about getting enough protein…but I do like the sound of this chocolate protein pudding!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen “performance” look this good! This looks terrific. And healthy. And all the good stuff I need (and don’t get enough of). Thanks for this.
I’ve never tried using avocado in a pudding before but it looks amazing, it must be so creamy and thick!
Protein powder or not, I would love to try this avocado choccie pudding, Shashi! It looks so smooth and thick and creamy. And really there’s nothing ‘bad’ in it at all! Well, OK, apart from the syrup, but we won’t count that. 😉