This may be my greatest smoothie yet. I LOOOOVE a good Piña Colada, but let’s be honest, there is not really anything redeemable about it from a nutritional standpoint. Aside from the obvious issue of the rum, the Coco Lopez is like pure fat and sugar and pineapple juice is super high in sugar. I have been known to drink a Piña Colada in lieu of lunch. Look, once can’t ALWAYS be healthy!
I wanted to make a smoothie that took the very best of a Piña Colada, but made it healthy enough for a happy human body. I think I have achieved that. Warning: this drink is green, but don’t let that scare you because it tastes amazing and that green just means it’s better for you!
By using really any combination you would like of coconut water, green coconut flesh, canned coconut cream and/or coconut milk, you get the good of coconut with less of the bad. By using fresh (or canned with no added sugar) pineapple, there is more fiber and vitamins than just using juice. By adding avocado and banana, we get unbelievable creaminess, plus added nutritional value. If for some reason, you don’t like avocado or banana, I would still try it. You really won’t taste them. I don’t like overripe bananas, so if that’s you, make sure it’s just yellow, but not turning brown. Finally, spinach/kale and microgreens make this totally guilt free!
INGREDIENTS
A few chunks (about 1/2 cup) of fresh or canned (with no added sugar) pineapple
1/2 small or 1/4 large ripe avocado
1 small or 1/2 large ripe banana
1/4-1/2 cup no sugar added pineapple juice
1/4-1/2 cup coconut water and/or milk/cream (the more cream and flesh, the more fat)*
A handful of raw spinach and/or kale
1 teaspoon microgreens (wheatgrass, spirulina, macha, and/or chlorella)
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend! Start with 1/2 cup of liquid and add more to get the desired consistency. I needed 3/4 cup, but it will depend on how much of the solid fruits you have used. It is not an exact science, so just add till you are happy.
*I ended up with 1/4 cup coconut water, 1/4 cup coconut milk and 1/4 cup pineapple juice, but that was just because I had the rest of a can of coconut milk from a curry I made recently, so it started with that and then I just added liquid as needed.
And then you are done! It is so smooth and creamy, and the only flavors you really taste are pineapple and the coconut, but it is creamier than any you have had before and better for you too. You could even have this Piña Colada before noon with zero judgement.
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