Sip into paradise with our nourishing Tropical Smoothie, which is sure to take your breakfast from basic to beachy while still hitting all of your nutrient goals. Whether it’s for breakfast or an afternoon snack, a refreshing smoothie is a quick and easy way to pack in a punch of nutritious foods, without taking up time or making much of a mess in the kitchen.
When we set out to make this smoothie, we knew we wanted to create an accessible recipe that all eaters could enjoy. Our recipe is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan, and contains ingredients that work together to keep you full, stimulate digestion, and appeal to your taste buds. We used the Macro Method, which is our foundational tool for ensuring that all meals (and snacks) contain a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Learn about the ingredients and follow our recipe below to get one sip closer to that long-awaited beach vacation.
Frozen Mango: Besides reminding us of the tropics, Mango is rich in vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and folate which keep our immune system and vision strong. It’s also rich in minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, which function to keep our musculoskeletal system working optimally, help to control blood pressure, and regulate the functioning of our kidneys.
Frozen Pineapple: Pineapple contains the digestive enzyme bromelain, which helps break down the proteins in food, leading to easier digestion. Pineapple also contains high amounts of vitamin C and manganese, which offers antioxidant properties. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, or cells that cause damage in the body, and prevent or reduce the damage caused by their oxidation.
P.S. Why Frozen Fruit?
Fruit that is frozen is picked at its peak ripeness, then frozen in order to preserve its nutrients. Plus, frozen fruit adds the thick and creamy texture to our smoothies that we just love!
Banana: Bananas, fresh or frozen, supports digestive health, aids in exercise recovery, and contains high levels of vitamins and minerals, particularly potassium. Bananas are high in fiber, meaning they keep us full while optimizing our digestive health. The resistant starch in bananas also has a prebiotic effect, helping to fuel the good bacteria in our gut. Potassium is essential for maintaining heart health, stabilizing blood pressure, and aiding in muscle recovery after exercise.
Hemp, Chia, and Flax Seeds: Seeds contain high amounts of fiber and alpha linoleic Omega 3 fatty acids. An essential fatty acid is one that our body cannot make on its own; therefore, we must ingest it through the diet. This seed blend also contains 30% of our daily value of fiber, as well as all nine amino acids. Adding in two tablespoons of these seeds is an easy way to up the nutrient profile of this smoothie.
Ripple Milk: Ripple milk is 100% dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making it a great go-to for those with dietary limitations or preferences. Ripple contains 8 grams of pea protein, which helps to keep us feeling satisfied and aids in muscle building as well as exercise recovery. Ripple is enriched with potassium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D and iron, adding in even more benefits to our tropical smoothie.
Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie Recipe
Servings: Makes one 10-ounce smoothie
Time: 5 minutes
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
- 1/2 banana
- 2 tablespoons hemp or chia seeds (we used BetterBody Foods Super Seeds)
- 1/2 cup milk (we used Ripple)
Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!