The best pineapple, coconut, lime smoothie pops
Seasonal fruits, MCTs and a secret nutritious ingredient, these simple pineapple pops are delicious, contain zero added sugar and are the perfect summer treat for you and the kiddos.
I love a fruit-based smoothie situation.
I drink one every single morning, without fail. Because in case you didn’t know, fruit, on it’s own, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, is incredible for you.
Why? The nutrients are best absorbed and digested when eaten alone, as opposed to with meals, which only slows down digestion, leads to fermenting in the stomach, causes bloat and gas, and hinders nutrient absorption.
This week, I turned my smoothie formula into kid-friendly popsicles to help my son celebrate his birthday at school.
Because smoothies, or smoothie-turned-popsicles, are one of the best ways get more good-for-you foods into your kid’s belly.
Made with fresh pineapple and other fruits, a little bit of coconut, no added sugar, and a surprise vegetable ingredient, these smoothie pops are Pina colada-like and freaking delicious with a capital D.
Keep scrolling to learn why they’re so damn good for you and all of the different ways you can enjoy it…
Health Perks
The main ingredient is fresh pineapple, which is currently in season. Eating seasonally is an easy way to level up your health. Produce is fresher, tastier (so you’ll enjoy eating it more), and more nutritious. It’s also fun and invites a new dynamic and approach to food and cooking. Pineapple is also great for you. Loaded with nutrients, high in fiber, immune boosting, suppresses inflammation, aids in digestion and so, so much more.
Coconut meat for some added healthy fat, which is a great dairy alternative since it’s cleaner and far, far less inflammatory. It’s also high in MCT’s, which are helpful for managing weight and other health conditions.
Lime, despite being acidic tasting, have an alkaline effect on your body and help balance its PH level. Most diseases, illnesses and bad bacteria thrive in an over acidic environment, so YES to more alkaline foods (all the time).
The secret ingredient is cauliflower. I like to make my own, by blanching it first and then freezing it. Blanching helps preserve nutrients, where as steaming doesn’t. Cauliflower is filled with important nutrients and fiber and we want all the nutrients and fiber we can get, am I right?!
It contains absolutely zero added sugar. Any sugar comes from natural sources, which is hard to believe because the flavor is out of this world.
I’ve applied food combining principles, to optimize digestion and energy levels.
Other Thoughts, Tips and Suggestions
High quality coconut yogurt works too. If you can’t get your hands on frozen coconut meat, a high quality coconut yogurt with probiotics is another great option here. And it probably contains more calcium, which is great for kiddos.
It also makes a great smoothie. If you’re not into popsicles, or your kid prefers smoothies, this blend makes for a delicious smoothie.
Frozen cauliflower isn’t necessary. It’s just there for the nutrient boost (or texture if you’re making a smoothie) if you want it.
Don’t skip out on the citrus. Both the lime juice and splash of fresh orange juice take the flavor of this blend to the next level. I love pineapple but it won’t get you there on it’s own.
Check out the full recipe below. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Pineapple Smoothie Pops
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Yields: 6-8 popsicles
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 cup very ripe frozen banana slices
1 small orange, juiced
1 lime, juiced
1 package of frozen coconut meat or 2-3 tbsp of coconut yogurt (if it contains probiotics, even better)
1/4 cup frozen cauliflower
1 cup filtered water
Directions
Blend. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender, and blend until completely smooth.
Make your popsicles. Pour your smoothie into popsicle molds.
Freeze and enjoy. Place popsicle molds in the freezer for 8-12 hours. To eat, remove from freezer and let thaw for about 10 minutes and enjoy!
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