This delicious green smoothie combines two of my favorite tropical flavors – pineapple and papaya!
Health Benefits of Pineapple
Firs up, we have pineapple – an incredible, anti-inflammatory superfruit rich in B vitamins, Vitamin C, manganese, antioxidants, and fiber.
Pineapple Pro Tip: The sweetest part of a pineapple is at the base (opposite the leafy top). Also, you can tell that a pineapple is ripe when you can easily pull a leaf out of the top.
Health Benefits of Papaya
Next up, we have papaya – a love-it or hate-it fruit for many people, but I happen to love it – especially in green smoothies!
Papayas are high in vitamin C and are a good source of folate, potassium, fiber and vitamins A, E and K. Papayas are rich in antioxidants and the enzyme papain, which helps promote digestive health. Lycopene content of papayas may help protect against prostate cancer.
Studies suggest that eating papayas may help protect against heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Diets rich in fruits like papaya may also reduce the risk of colon cancer. Their anti-inflammatory properties may help with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Papaya Pro Tip: Let papayas ripen as long as you can, as they taste better when they are ripe.
Papayas & GMOs: The large Mexican papayas are not GMO, however, the smaller papayas grown in Hawaii are most likely GMO.
Leafy Greens
As for leafy greens, I went “pro” and put fresh Italian parsley in this blend which is an excellent source of calcium and iron. However, you can definitely use your favorite leafy greens like kale or spinach.
Let’s Blend This Papaya-Pineapple Smoothie!
Ingredients
- 1 cup papaya, cubed
- 1 cup pineapple, cubed
- 1 medium banana, peeled
- 1 – 2 stalks of celery, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup of fresh Italian parsley (or 2 small handfuls of your favorite leafy green like kale or spinach)
- 4 ounces of homemade almond milk (or try coconut water/coconut milk)
Directions: Start by adding the liquid to your blender (see my blender recommendations), followed by the soft fruit. Add the greens to your blender last. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until the smoothie is creamy.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 302
Fat: 2g
Protein: 6g
Carbohydrates: 71g
Fiber: 11.2g
Calcium: 14% RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)
Iron: 5mg
Vitamin A: 305% RDA
Vitamin C: 344% RDA
Folate: 258.4 micrograms
This smoothie is also a rich source of folate, vitamins B1 – B6, vitamin K, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
Serving Size: One. (This recipe makes a large, 32-ounce smoothie. It is a meal-replacement smoothie and not a snack. I recommend drinking half right away and the other half about 30 minutes later. If it is too much for you, store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.)
