This tropical flaxseed smoothie is the quintessential breakfast, lunch, or summertime snack. It’s light, refreshing, and a great way to boost hydration and sneak in extra nutrition with minimal effort. Better yet, no need to heat your kitchen!
Disclosure: I received free samples from Manitoba Milling in exchange for sharing this flaxseed smoothie post. All opinions are my own.
If you’re struggling to get in all those fruits & veggies your dietitian recommended (wink, wink), this tropical flaxseed smoothie is for you!
Especially if you’ve been overindulging a little this summer (no judgement!), and you want to ease back into your healthier lifestyle.
And, while it’s tempting to hit up your local juice bar for an ice-cold smoothie, it’s important to remember that not all smoothies are created equal. It ultimately comes down to the quantity and quality of ingredients.
Below are a few tips for choosing or making a healthier smoothie, like this creamy, dreamy Tropical Green Flaxseed Smoothie
No. 1 | Make it Last
If a smoothie contains fruits and juices primarily, it can provide a quick boost of energy but leave you feeling hungry soon after. To prevent this quick rise and fall in blood sugar, try adding a source of protein, fiber, or healthy fat to make your smoothie a more satisfying and satiating meal or snack.
Rather than blending the smoothie with juice, use dairy or plant-based milk. This will add protein and other nutrients depending on the type of milk you choose. Nuts, seeds, or nut and seed butter can also contribute protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
Manitoba Milling Smooth Whole Milled Flaxseed is a great addition to make your smoothie a little more filling. Not only does it offer healthy ALA Omega 3 fats, fiber, and plant-based protein, the smooth texture, and mild flavor make it a perfect addition to any smoothie.
Regardless of which combination of ingredients you choose, adding in healthy fats and a good source of protein will make a smoothie more satisfying and keep blood sugar levels stable. This translates into sustainable energy (instead of a quick rise and crash, leaving you feeling hungry an hour later!).
No. 2 | Go Green
Green smoothies are more than just Instagram-worthy. They’re great for packing in extra nutrition without negatively impacting the taste.
Most people fall short on vegetable intake throughout the day, and this is a simple and tasty way to get an extra serving (or two) with your breakfast, lunch, or snack. Plus, it can be a great way to help choosier eaters or kids get in their greens!
I’ve found that spinach blends the best, but if you have a high-powered blender, kale works great too. Both options provide a good source of vitamins A and K, folate, and antioxidants.
Not into green smoothies? No problem. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other veggies too. Cauliflower, butternut squash, and sweet potato are also fairly mild tasting and another great smoothie addition. Side note: You’ll LOVE this Nutter Butter Butterscotch Pudding Smoothie recipe!
No. 3 | Naturally Sweeten with Fruit
While marketed as ‘healthy,’ many smoothies can be loaded with added sugars from various types of juice mixes, protein powders, coconut water, honey, agave, or other sweeteners.
Fruit is naturally sweet and often doesn’t need anything extra to boost the naturally sweet taste. For example, the Tropical Flaxseed Smoothie recipe below uses pineapple, which provides plenty of natural sweetness – no additional honey or maple syrup necessary!
Of course, fruit isn’t “bad,” but since it’s being blended into a small volume, it can be easy to consume multiple servings in a short period of time. A good rule of thumb is to choose 1-2 fruits totaling up to one cup, keeping it low FODMAP friendly-important if you have IBS.
No. 4 | Monitor Portion Size
Not only is it easy to overdo the sugar in smoothies, but many of them are also packed with calories too. That might be okay for a “meal replacement” macronutrient balanced smoothie, but if you’re consuming a 500+ calories smoothie as a snack, that’s calorie overload for most people.
Providing ~250 calories, my Tropical Green Flaxseed Smoothie makes a nourishing snack. But, you can easily make it a meal by adding your favorite protein powder (I love Noosh Unsweetened 100% Almond Protein Powder). Or try serving with a couple of scrambled eggs or scrambled tofu for extra protein.
No. 5 | Boost It
This is the fun part! Choose “boosters” for additional flavor, texture, and nutrition. Think spices, unsweetened protein powders (see above), nut and seed butter, or fresh herbs.
Manitoba Milling Smooth Whole Milled Flaxseed is incredibly smooth and blends seamlessly into any smoothie recipe without altering the taste or texture. Just one serving (2 tablespoons) provides 3g of ALA Omega 3 and 3g of plant-based protein.
I also recommend adding a pinch of salt to your smoothies to help enhance all the other flavors. Try it!!!
Note: While flaxseeds are naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur if they are processed with or grown near gluten grains. This pilot study showed no gluten contaminations with flaxseed. However, it’s wise to contact the manufacturer to ask about any possible cross-contamination if you have celiac disease.
Before I share my Tropical Green Flaxseed Smoothie with you, lets talk about some more of the health benefits of adding flaxseeds to your smoothies and other foods…
- Lignan power. Flaxseeds are a good source of lignans, a type of phytoestrogen. While studies have been contradictory, one small study showed 40 grams (4 tablespoons) of ground flaxseed to help with menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. In addition, the lignans in flaxseed may help reduce the risk of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.
- Fiber power. Providing a combo of both soluble & insoluble fiber, flaxseed can help alleviate constipation and support your gut microbiome, as well as overall digestive health. If you have IBS or are following a low FODMAP diet, ground flaxseed in generally well-tolerated, but limit serving size to 1 tablespoon.
- Weight management. Another benefit of adding more fiber to your diet, is that it can help keep you full, leading to less overeating. In addition, flaxseeds may help control blood sugar levels-an added benefit for anyone with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Are you thirsty yet? Let’s make a flaxseed smoothie!
Tropical Green Flaxseed Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach, packed
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup plant based milk
- 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons Manitoba Milling Company Smooth Whole-Milled Flaxseed, 1 tablespoon for low FODMAP version
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
Ingredient Swap Ideas
- Don’t have (or like) spinach? Try kale, arugula, Swiss Chard, or any favorite greens. But, if leafy greens in smoothies aren’t your thing, try another veggie such as frozen riced cauliflower or butternut squash.
- Use any favorite plant based milk such as almond milk (try my Easy 1-Minute Almond Milk), macadamia nut milk, oat milk, or even flax milk.
Nutrition
Are you thirsty? Let’s make a Tropical Green Flaxseed Smoothie! Cheers!
Let’s Chat!
Have you made a flaxseed smoothie before? What are your favorite smoothie add-ins?