I went through a phase in my high school days, when chocolate milk was an almost daily occurrence. I’d sit in the cafeteria, work on homework, and down a large chocolate milk. Once I graduated and went away to university, studying in Starbucks sipping on milk lattes happened way too frequently than my body needed, especially considering I was later diagnosed as severely lactose intolerant.
The constant throat clearing, the eczema, the indigestion, I look back now and think “HOW did I not connect the dots?” I thought I was health conscious. I was always into “healthy eating” yet it never occurred to me that MILK was not doing my body good, instead it was doing my body harm.
Nowadays, I’m much more in tune with my body, and I know which foods agree with me and which foods absolutely do not. Now that I am in school again (for nutrition this time), I’ve been getting a craving for chocolate milk when I sit down to study. Dairy milk is off limits but this allergen-free chocolate tigernut milk, I can enjoy no problem without the ill-after effects!
I consider this a healing treat. A treat because it contains banana, which although is a fruit, is still sweet. Healing because it contains tigernuts, carob, and collagen!
Tigernuts
Tigernuts are not a nut, but a tuber and are totes AIP compliant. They are a fantastic substitute for anyone who is allergic or cannot tolerate peanuts, nuts, or seeds. If you’re missing nut butters, my No-Nut Tigernut Spread and Tigernut Butter 2.0 recipes sure hit the spot. Not only do tigernuts make a wonderful nut butter substitute, but they also make a fantastic milk. Tigernut milk is the closest I’ve tried to the real deal. In my opinion, it is by far the best tasting milk substitute. The first part of this recipe is how I make tigernut milk!
Carob
Chocolate (cocoa) is one of those foods that irritate many people, especially those with autoimmune issues, hence why it is eliminated on AIP. Cocoa can give some pretty unpleasant after effects due to its caffeine content – this is where carob shines! It is the ultimate chocolate substitute being naturally sweet without the caffeine! Carob is rich in pectin, a soluble fiber (something we all need, to keep things moving – if you know what I mean). It is also rich in polyphenols. which contain powerful anti-oxidant properties helping our bodies deal with toxins and free radicals. Calcium and selenium are a few of the other nutritional benefits of carob. Gotta love a food that tastes like chocolate and is nutrient dense.
Collagen
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I am a huge fan of collagen. It is within us all, in our connective tissues, muscles, cartilage, skin, nails, and hair. Everyone needs collagen – otherwise, we would be falling apart – literally! For this reason, supplementing with collagen provides us with so many benefits, including:
- Reducing joint pain and stiffness.
- Aids in healing our gut lining (which we ALL could use!)
- Fortifies our bones (yes it’s true – contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to drink dairy milk to fortify your bones!)
- Strengthens and hydrates our skin – helping to smooth cellulite and acne scars, as well as reducing wrinkles – can I get a hell YEAH!
- Great for hair and nails but ALSO our teeth and gums.
For even more collagen benefits, check out this article by Further Food. Further Food has also offered my readers a discount off any orders of their Further Collagen (YAY!). Use coupon code AIP10 for 10% off!
Yield: 1-2 servings
Chocolate Milk (AIP/Paleo/Sugar-Free)
1 day
1 day
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup tigernuts
- Filtered water (for soaking)
- 1.5 cups of filtered water
- 1-2 tbsp carob (One tbsp for a light “chocolate” taste, two for a darker “chocolate – I like it both ways)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla (omit for strict AIP)
- 2 tbsp collagen
- 1 small frozen banana
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place tigernuts in a glass jar and cover with filtered water.
- Place in fridge for at least 24 hours.
- Strain and rinse tigernuts.
- Place rinsed tigernuts and 1.5 cups filtered water in a high powered blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Over a large bowl, strain tigernut milk with a nut bag (I like this one).
- Squeeze the nut bag to get all the milk out from the pulp.
- Place tigernut milk back into blender with all other ingredients.
- Blend until smooth.
- Enjoy!
Please note: This post contains affiliate links.
This recipe is shared on Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing! I am trying limit histamines – would the texture of this be okay if I omitted the collagen? Thanks!
Hi Chrissy! The texture may be slightly different, but still tasty for sure!
Note to self, peel banana prior to freezing!! This was great, thanks!
Oh no! haha live and learn, right? Glad you enjoyed Ryan 🙂
Where can I buy carob and collagen???
Hi Natasha, you can find both on Amazon. If you click on the words in the recipe it will take you to the brands that I like! Hope this helps!
I have to avoid bananas, is there anything else that could possibly work as a substitute? Coconut cream perhaps?
Substituting with some coconut cream would be nice 🙂 You may want a bit more sweet without the banana. If tolerated you could try a bit of maple syrup or honey, but is probably good without too. Let me know how it turns out!
I will give it a try – thanks! 🙂
HI! I have been loving this for months and have now made a slight change I wanted to share with you-
When I want something a little less sweet, I omit the salt and put in 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Maca powder (which stabilizes blood sugar). I also add a scoop of Glutamine powder if I have any on hand. Anyway, the Maca powder adds a coffee flavor and I am drinking a mocha! Thanks so much for these drink recipes- they have gotten me through countless café meetings.
Hi Tresa!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the drink recipes! Your version sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂