A healthy and nourishing version of a summer favorite! This pina colada protein smoothie is perfect as a quick meal or a refreshing yet filling snack, and has paleo and vegan options. Whip it up in your blender in less than 5 minutes!
I know you guys saw this recipe briefly on my WIAW post this week, but I actually wound up making this, and drinking it, 3 days in a row. I had to test out the different protein powder/vanilla options and was getting really confused.
I’m not going to hashtag foodbloggerproblem because I really can’t even joke about any of that being a problem, especially because each version came out delicious, and, I would’ve made a smoothie anyway given the weather we’ve had. The only problem I encountered was trying to keep the little bugs away outside when taking pictures. With the 90 degree humid weather this week it means lots of little bugs are just hanging out everywhere. Step away from my recipe, bug.
My only warning about this smoothie (don’t be scared) is that with the protein powder it’s really quite filling, so don’t let it spoil your dinner like I did before I realized it was already after 4pm. I’m always nagging my kids not to snack after 4pm and yet I continue to make the same mistake myself. Then again, I’m much more open to the rule that we have to finish our dinner before we get dessert. Or at the very least, I can commit to eating the leftovers with breakfast. In fact, I can commit to eating anyone’s leftovers in my breakfast because we all know that’s just how I roll. Have you seen my Instagram?
Wanna know something else really cool about this smoothie? My kids liked it! And so did Adam! Of course, I made the non-protein version for them because I’m not really into protein powder for my kids. Let them discover the wild world of protein supplementation on their own, when they’re much older, right? For now though, I’m very happy to let them enjoy a whole foods smoothie that tastes like a dessert. I’m gaining even more respect for bananas lately, if that’s even possible. What are they not good for? I mean, besides surviving past 2 days in this weather. I haven’t quite adjusted to the banana turnover rate this summer and keep winding up with brown ones! But anyway, here we go…
Pina Colada Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups frozen pineapple
- 1 banana
- 2/3 cup almond milk or favorite non-dairy milk
- 3 tbsp full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp plant based vanilla protein powder like Skoop B, or 1 tbsp plain egg white protein + 1 tsp vanilla extract
- * If you want to omit the protein powder just add the 1 tsp of vanilla extract
Instructions
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Blend all ingredients in a blender until thick and smooth and serve right away, with a pineapple wedge to be fancy!
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
What’s the weather like by you? Does it get buggy?
Do you eat snacks too late in the afternoon and spoil your dinner?
What’s your favorite tropical drink?
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
July 10, 2015 at 5:22 amI’ve been looking to try a different kind of smoothie lately, and this looks perfect! I just need to remember to buy some frozen pineapples when we go grocery shopping. Have a great weekend!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:39 amI randomly bought them and that’s how this smoothie was born! Same to you 🙂
The Cookie ChRUNicles says
July 10, 2015 at 5:25 amThe humidity in the morning this week was awful when I was running, especially because the bugs come out and fly into my face! Love my Skoop B-Strong in smoothies, I haven’t made one in over a week so maybe I will have one today. I go through crazy phases where I have one every day and then I just don’t. Have a good weekend 🙂
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:40 amOne flew directly into my eyeball this morning even with my visor brim low! I freaked and had to scratch my eyeball while running.
CARLA says
July 10, 2015 at 6:10 amLOVE AND SHAAARRRRRING.
I just rediscovered my adoration of the pina colada popsicle last weekend!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:41 amI will have to freeze the smoothie into popsicle molds, yum!
SuzLyfe says
July 10, 2015 at 6:44 amWhere is my little umbrella??
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:42 amHaha, Target must have been out. Or rather I was late to that party 😉 Glad they had fun pink striped straws though!
Skinny Fitalicious says
July 10, 2015 at 7:14 amI’ll have one straight up and with alcohol. I was rear ended last night by motorcyclist and I need to drink.
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:42 amYou have bad luck! I’m sure the protein will cancel out the alcohol so go for it 😉
Jamie says
July 10, 2015 at 7:37 amI’m all about pina coladas but I usually never drink them because they’re filled with cream so I love this recipe!! I always snack around 3 in the afternoon… it will sometimes make me push dinner back until 8 but I need a little pick me up towards the end of the work day 🙂
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:43 amI would happily eat dinner later in the summer, except that I am even more happy when I can get my kids to bed by 8! Priorities!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life says
July 10, 2015 at 8:22 amI get so hungry around 4 pm and I always have a snack or I turn into a hangry bitch haha. It doesn’t really spoil my dinner, I just eat a little later. I’m all about smoothies this summer so this sounds great!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:45 amWhen my kids are older we will eat later, I’m lucky we are eating past 5 now! I also can’t quite wait until after they’re asleep, too late for me, and, that’s when I like to have dessert 🙂
Lesq says
July 10, 2015 at 8:33 amI drink a smoothie everyday this time of year. They are quite filling so I drink them early and make them a small meal. I, like you, am into whole foods so I tend to use real food in n them instead of protein powders. I find I can even tolerate a mango, strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon one. Some FODMAP fruits are okay blended for me. Guess the fiber is broken down for easy digestion. Also, I Make sweet plantains with cinnamon and vanilla bean roasted till beautifully brown and throw a few cold in my pineapple smoothie. It adds body and A lot of flavor. Also to my pumpkin cranberry one. Have a blast at the concert!!! Share pictures of your girls enjoying. So much fun to be able to give to and watch our children enjoy these experiences. Drew will be rocking that also ng time with dad. His opportunity for some non-paleo treats lol.
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:46 amI haven’t tried mango recently but I bet it would be fine blended up, so summery 🙂 And with camp now my kids have definitely had their share of non paleo treats! They will have fun boys time for sure 🙂
dietitianjess says
July 10, 2015 at 9:37 amDoes anyone else here that old song in their head every time they read the words pina colada!? This sounds like summer perfection, love it!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 9:47 amSurprisingly I didn’t until I read your comment 5 minutes ago, now it’s playing on repeat!! Not the worst song, it’s actually putting me in a good mood 🙂
suzysuzyheather says
July 10, 2015 at 9:45 amOur weather is finally cooling down a bit (just in time for my half on Sunday!) but I’ll still make this smoothie! It looks awesome. I ALWAYS ruin dinner. Always. I’m not a huge eater, so it doesn’t take much to get me full or to at least curb my appetite so I’m constantly sabotaging dinner. It’s so hard.
Nicole@TheGirlWhoRanEverywhere says
July 10, 2015 at 10:11 amYou’ve done it again! Today is grocery store day and guess what’s going on my list!?!? THIS. I can’t wait! I love Pina Colada flavored ANYTHING…But i rarely have the actual drink as it’s just empty calories!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 10:35 amThis is so healthy, perfect for post run too! Hope you try it out!
Strength and Sunshine says
July 10, 2015 at 10:28 amWhen I still kinda liked smoothies, the pineapple pina colda combo was always my favorite besides blueberry! Pineapple and coconut is just so good!
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 10:34 amI think almost anything is good with coconut. I’ve always loved coconut!
athleticavocado says
July 10, 2015 at 11:49 ammmmm a pina colada smoothie sounds so refreshing right now! yum 🙂
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 2:24 pmThanks!
lifewithniki says
July 10, 2015 at 1:04 pmWow that is major dedication that you made that smoothie three days in a row. But hey- I dont feel bad for you because that looks like the most delicious and refreshing thing you could have when it is hot out! While I am pretty big on snacking, I never try to do it too close to dinner time because I like to get in the meat and veggies too. And it does happen. Most of the time ;).
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 2:25 pmMy snack/dinner timing will work out one day 🙂 And it wasn’t much of a pain making sure the variations worked, luckily they did! Have a great weekend 🙂
Danielle says
July 10, 2015 at 2:19 pmThis looks delicious! I love the pineapple coconut combos:)
I will be trying this very soon. For now my smoothies must include my dark red cherries since that’s what I got lol. Cherry coconut cacoa is my current love
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 2:26 pmThat combo sounds so good! I should get some frozen cherries to blend up 🙂
Danielle says
July 10, 2015 at 2:42 pmYes! Trader Joes has bags of frozen cherries for cheap- and cherries are super and magical in terms of health benefits, so I’m all about it. I love stuff that make my belly happy and keep the ‘bugs’ away 🙂
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 5:01 pmI’ll definitely need that once my long runs start up next week!
ilkasblog says
July 10, 2015 at 4:35 pmWoohoo! During all this heat and humidity right now this sounds like the perfect recovery pick-me up!
Protein for recovery and the pineapple for fighting inflammation and I always I love everything coconut. Triple win!
I will try to remember to put frozen pineapple on my next shopping list.
Yes, bugs in the eyeball are super annoying, especially during running.
Michele says
July 10, 2015 at 5:00 pmGreat! Hope you try this 🙂
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
July 11, 2015 at 4:09 pmIf you like pina coladas… and getting caught in the rain *dances*. Now I’m going to have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day 😛 In all seriousness, though, I’m loving the sound of this smoothie. I haven’t added pineapple to a smoothie in ages, so thanks for reminding me that I need to change that, stat. And the weather here has been far too hot… Is it bad that I’m already wishing for fall?
Michele says
July 12, 2015 at 9:27 pmOf all the songs I could have stuck in my head I actually don’t mind that one 🙂 definitely go for the pineapple while its this hot, very refreshing! And I hear you on wishing for fall!
Ann says
July 11, 2015 at 5:13 pmIt’s been crazy hot here in Germany for the last 2 weeks, up to 40°C which is very rare for us!
Today I had coconut water infused with pomegranate juice, very refreshing! It didn’t quite taste like either coconut or pomegranate though, but still tasty, haha!
Michele says
July 12, 2015 at 9:25 pmThat sounds really delicious! With the heat we’re having plus running I’ve been looking for fun healthy smoothies and drinks 🙂
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
July 12, 2015 at 9:40 amMy favorite beach drink is in fact a pina colada. I drank plenty of them in my 20s when I had no clue how much sugar was in them! Now I am more likely to have something like your creation. Thanks for the recipe!
Michele says
July 12, 2015 at 9:23 pmYes, they’re yummy! This one is great for anytime really 🙂
Amanda @ Glow With Meraki says
July 12, 2015 at 12:19 pmThis looks delicious! I love incorporating additional protein into my diet through smoothies and it is so fun to try to recipes! 🙂
Michele says
July 12, 2015 at 9:22 pmThanks! Hope you try 🙂
cottercrunch says
July 12, 2015 at 10:15 pmI’M always shocked at how filling smoothies can be when you add in the right healthy fats, ya know? Sign me up for one please! and p.s. i now have the “if you want pina coladas” song stuck in my head
Michele says
July 13, 2015 at 2:34 pmI know, the song has been stuck in my head since I published the post and someone mentioned it! It’s back again now!
taramdeal says
July 16, 2015 at 11:04 amI love the creaminess pineapple adds to smoothies 🙂 This sounds like such a refreshing post run treat!
Michele says
July 16, 2015 at 4:38 pmIt’s great! Hope you try 🙂