How to Make a Healthy Piña Colada Protein Smoothie

With summer finally here, that tropical craving hit hard. It has been about 25 years since I have indulged in a piña colada. I knew I wanted to revisit that classic flavor, but in a way that truly fit my healthier lifestyle. So, I set out to perfect a non-alcoholic piña colada protein smoothie with all the deliciousness and none of the guilt.

The piña colada holds a truly special spot in my memories, taking me straight back to my very first visit to Hawaii as a teenager. Eager to try a taste of the tropics, I ordered a piña colada. But with my first sip, my young taste buds were in for a shock – the restaurant had accidentally given me an alcoholic version! Of course, it was quickly sent back for a replacement. After devouring my drink that surprising burst of pineapple and coconut flavor sparked an unexpected love for the flavors.

This version of a piña colada protein smoothie has become a cherished indulgence, a nostalgic taste of paradise without the extra sugar or alcohol.

Choosing the best ingredients:

Pineapple:
Beyond its sweet, tropical flavor, pineapple is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s bursting with immune-boosting Vitamin C, essential for fighting off illness and supporting healthy skin. Plus, it’s rich in manganese, important for a healthy metabolism, and contains bromelain, an enzyme renowned for its ability to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.

Organic Coconut Milk:
This creamy, dairy-free base is more than just delicious. It’s rich in healthy MCTs (Medium-Chain Triglycerides), which provide quick energy and can support metabolism. Plus, it’s packed with electrolytes like potassium, making it excellent for hydration and muscle function.

Unsweetened Coconut Vanilla yogurt:
Plant-based and a creamy texture, organic coconut yogurt offers a bounty of benefits. It’s a fantastic source of gut-friendly probiotics for digestive wellness and provides healthy fats (MCTs) for sustained energy and a boost to your metabolism. Importantly, it’s unsweetened – giving you all the goodness without the extra sugar which naturally comes from the fruit in this recipe.

Yogurt:
You can use low-fat dairy coconut yogurt instead of non-dairy Coconut.

Organic Vanilla Protein Powder:
For a truly clean and powerful boost, this plant-based protein is fantastic. It delivers a substantial amount of protein for muscle support and fullness, includes probiotics for gut health, and contains digestive enzymes for easy absorption. All this, with delicious vanilla flavor and no artificial additives. Non-GMO, certified organic and vegan. (I am not vegan or vegetarian but strive to eat as healthy as possible.) I use this Protein Powder.

Protein Powder: You can use any protein powder that plays well with these flavors.

How to Make a Piña Colada Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups pineapple

1 Cup coconut milk

1/2 cup unsweetened dairy-free coconut yogurt

1 Scoop vanilla protein powder

1/4 Cup of water

3 Ice cubes ( If you like your smoothy a little thinner, omit these.)

Add water in Tbsp. increments if it is still too thick.

.

Steps:

Step 1: Add the vanilla yogurt to the bottom of your blender, followed coconut milk, water, pineapple, protein powder then last ice. (I do it in this order, so everything incorporates without getting stuck to the sides. See notes for cup blenders.)

Step 2: Blend until all of your ice has broken up and your ingredients are flowing freely in the blender.

Step 3: Pour your piña colada protein smoothie into your favorite glass. Top it with a fresh pineapple chunk and a vibrant straw. For that extra touch of paradise, add a cute drink umbrella – it will instantly transport you to a relaxing tropical resort.

Notes: For cup type blenders like the Ninja or NutraBullet I add my ingredients in this order:

Ice, Pineapple, coconut milk, protein powder, water, and last coconut yogurt.

I do it in this order to allow all the ingredients to blend well without the ingredients getting stuck on the top of the blender cup. If you encounter this problem, you can mix your protein powder into the milk prior to putting it in the blender.

I hope you enjoy this delicious protein packed piña colada. If you got to try this recipe, tell me what you think.

For other delicious recipes try:

How to Make Copycat Dunkin Vanilla Chai Powder
A Quick and Healthy Veggie Hummus Wrap Recipe
5 Easy No-Bake Snacks (Plus a Secret Hack)