Adding vegetables to your morning smoothie can be a great way to make sure you get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables that day. this pineapple and cucumber smoothie it’s a delicious option for a healthy breakfast or snack.
This smoothie is just the latest addition to my collection healthy smoothie recipes here on the blog because I love them so much! This is actually the second smoothie recipe I have with cucumber – this one mango and coriander smoothie it’s my first (It’s delicious, too!) Smoothies like this are a painless way to get more veggies into your diet, since you can barely taste them in the smoothie, and they require no cooking.
To make a meal out of it, I almost always pair my morning smoothie with peanut butter toast, a handful of delicious grain-free granolaor a packaged granola bar to keep me going all morning.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This smoothie is a quick and easy way to do it incorporate more vegetables into your diet – No need to cook!
- Pineapple provides a lot tropical flavor and sweetness that pairs well with lime and cucumber.
- This recipe is vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free and egg-free. It is too approved child. 😉
Ingredients you will need
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach is my go-to choice for greens when added to a smoothie. However, you can also use fresh kale or lettuce (like romaine).
- Vegetable milk: I prefer unsweetened soy milk for smoothie recipes because it has no added sugar and has more protein than other plant milks like almond or oat. However, any milk you like will work.
- Pineapple: Use fresh or frozen pineapple for this smoothie. I usually have some frozen pineapple in the freezer so I usually use frozen for my smoothie.
- Banana: Use fresh or frozen banana. If you are using frozen banana and pineapple, you may need to add a little extra milk as it will be quite thick, almost like frosting.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Smoothie nutrition boosters
- chia seeds: Adding just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provides an additional 4.5 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber, as well as some omega 3 fatty acids.
- Hemp hearts: add 3 tablespoons of hemp hearts for 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber.
- Ground flax seeds: add 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed for 4.5 grams of protein, as well as heart-healthy omega-3 fats.
- Almond butter: Add 1 tablespoon of almond butter for an extra 3g of protein as well as heart-healthy fats.
- Protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to boost the protein content.
Step by step
Step 1: Add all of your smoothie ingredients to a blender. Put the spinach in first so it mixes better.
Second step: Blend until smooth. Add more milk if you want a thinner smoothie.
Expert advice
- Mixing tip for vegetables: Avoid a thick green smoothie by adding the spinach to the blender jar first so that the other ingredients weigh it down and push the spinach into the blade. This comes in handy when you don’t have a higher powered blender!
- Adjust thickness: Use frozen fruit if you prefer a thicker smoothie consistency. Add more milk if your smoothie is too thick.
- Add sweetness: Add an additional 1/2-1 tablespoon of maple syrup, agave, or honey for extra sweetness. You can also throw in a medjool date before blending for extra sweetness.
Healthy benefits of this smoothie
- Pineapple and spinach are a great source Vitamin C which helps promote smoother skin due to its role in the formation of collagen, a structural component of our skin, teeth and hair. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against free radical damage that can lead to chronic disease over time.
- Spinach contains many beneficial plant compounds such as lutein which supports eye health.
- Both pineapple and spinach contain potassium which plays an important role in blood pressure management.
- Increases your absorption of nutrients fat soluble vitamins in green smoothies by adding healthy fats like chia seeds, almond butter or ground flax seeds.
Frequently asked questions about recipes
Fresh spinach is a great choice for smoothies because it blends well and has a very mild flavor. You can also use kale, Swiss chard, or Swiss chard, but you may need to add more fruit to balance the bitter flavor of these vegetables. Lettuce can also be added to smoothies: romaine or iceberg are good options.
For sure! If you like to have a green smoothie with breakfast or as a pre- or post-workout snack, there’s nothing wrong with doing it every day. Just make sure you get a variety of different foods in your diet at other meals.
No! Raw spinach has a very mild flavor that is masked by the pineapple, lime, and banana in this smoothie recipe so you can’t taste it. My toddler is not a fan of cooked spinach, but he will happily drink a spinach green smoothie!
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Pineapple and cucumber smoothie
Adding vegetables to your morning smoothie can be a great way to make sure you get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables that day. This pineapple and cucumber smoothie is a delicious option for a healthy breakfast or snack.
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notes
- Like ultra thick smoothies? Use frozen banana in addition to frozen pineapple for a thicker, frostier smoothie.
- Don’t you like banana? Use 1/2 of an avocado or 1 cup of frozen cauliflower rice. You can also add a date or a little maple syrup for sweetness.
- Don’t have spinach? You can also use fresh baby kale leaves or even romaine lettuce.
- Want more protein? Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder. (Use vanilla or sugar-free.) If you don’t have protein powder, you can add chia seeds or hemp hearts for extra protein.
nutrition
Service: 1milkshake | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated fats: 1g | Monounsaturated fats: 1g | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 767mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 3230UI | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 2mg