Believe me when I say this is one of the most refreshing smoothies you’ll make this summer. The cucumber, coconut water, and pineapple make this oh-so-hydrating.
And don’t worry, this isn’t a smoothie where you’ll be hungry 30 minutes later! That’s because it’s full of fiber (which your gut loves) as well as healthy fats from chia seeds, hemp seeds, and creamy avocado. Chia and hemp have some protein, but if you want to add more to make this even more sustaining, feel free to throw in some protein powder such a collagen peptides. If using a vanilla or very sweet protein powder, make sure to taste before adding any additional stevia or sweetener!
Finally, it’s worth giving a shout-out to pineapple, as it’s high in a digestive enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is very helpful at breaking down protein (so much so that it’s sometimes used as a meat tenderizer!).
Digestive enzymes are a MUST for proper digestion, so typically our body has this covered. However, celiacs and those with other inflammatory digestive disorders typically need a big leg-up when it comes to digestive enzymes. While foods like pineapple as well as papaya and kiwis are not a significant enough source of enzymes for people with chronic gut issues, every little bit helps!
I hope you enjoy this delicious, refreshing, and gut nourishing smoothie!
Pineapple Green Smoothie
Pin RecipeEquipment
- High-powered blender
Ingredients
- 3/4 – 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1/2 frozen avocado*
- 1 handful greens such as kale or spinach
- 1/2 cucumber roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds optional
- Squeeze of fresh lime to taste
- Stevia or honey to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Blend until smooth and chia seeds have broken all the way down.
- Taste and adjust sweetness by adding stevia or honey, if needed. This always depends on how sweet the pineapple is and how sweet you like your smoothies!