Looking for a tropical themed smoothie blend that’s also high in protein? This beautiful, healthy mango smoothie is perfect to have as a breakfast beverage or while you are laying out in the nice, hot sun. Or if you live in a place where the sun never shines…it still works wonders for your health! It is very acidic, which helps to prevent stomachaches, and also contains many healthy vitamins and minerals.
Are mango smoothies good for weight loss?
Generally speaking, most foods that are high in protein and decently low in calories are good for weight loss. Fiber, which is a form of complex carbohydrate, is also important for weight loss because it helps slow the digestion of other foods. This makes your belly feel full for longer.
Tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapple, and berries such as blackberry and raspberry, are actually some of the highest fiber fruits out there. This makes them work as the primary sources of fiber in this recipe. The addition of protein powder and Greek yogurt in your smoothie will help your body get some extra protein, which again, is also important for a healthy weight loss diet.
An optional ingredient for your smoothie that helps in weight loss even more is rolled oats. Oats are great because they contain lots of fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and copper. They are typically flaky, which makes them easy to mix in most blenders, and they enhance your smoothie’s texture, too.
However, keep in mind that all of these foods are not intended to replace or add to an actual weight loss diet. If you want specific recommendations or guidelines to follow for your own diet, please contact a nutritionist or a doctor.
Health benefits of mangos and pineapples
Mangoes are known as the premier tropical fruit in most of the world. They grow on trees and most commonly appear in warmer climates like southern Florida, southern California, and southeast Asia.
Mangoes are high in fiber, as we discussed earlier, and they also have many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. At only 100 calories per cup, they are a good low-calorie snacking food.
Mangoes are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and E. Baby mangoes don’t have a lot of vitamin A until they reach adulthood, where they become one of the best sources of it. Both the vitamins and antioxidants found in mangoes are great at protecting your body from damage caused by free radicals. They also play a role in maintaining healthy skin and eyes, along with helping the body create more white blood cells to fight off sickness.
Mangoes are high in magnesium, copper, and potassium. Magnesium is important for the neuromuscular system to function properly. Copper helps your body form red blood cells and connective tissue. Potassium, which is also found in bananas, keeps your heart healthy and blood pressure low.
Pineapples contain many of the same nutrients that mangoes have, but pineapples are more acidic. They contain a group of enzymes called bromelain, which can help with digestion and has anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Specifically, these anti-inflammatory effects include reducing pain and swelling of tissue after injury or surgery. It might also help prevent cancer, osteoarthritis, and muscle soreness.
It is wise to include mangoes and pineapples as part of your diet-and not just when you’re taking a vacation to Hawaii.
Protein Hawaiian Mango Smoothie ingredients
- Fruit. Most of these fruits must be sliced. The orange, pineapple chunks, and mangoes will give the smoothie a tropical taste. Bananas are great for thickening the smoothie and giving it consistency without interfering in its flavor. Your banana slices and mango should be frozen-this helps the smoothie stay cold right out of the blender. Perfect for those hot summer days.
- Protein additions. Unflavored protein powder and Greek yogurt are fantastic protein mix-ins because they help thicken up the smoothie. Pineapple and yogurt complement each other well, and the latter contains healthy probiotics, which aid in gut health.
- An optional mix-in is old-fashioned rolled oats. They add extra fiber and protein to your smoothie while also helping its texture be more consistent. That is, oats can prevent the smoothie from being too thick or too watery.
- Liquids. Orange juice and coconut milk bring a finishing touch to your smoothie, they both work better than regular water. If you are concerned that your smoothie will be too sugary, be sure to buy orange juice and coconut milk that have no added sugars.
Protein Hawaiian Mango Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 smoothie blender should be moderately powerful for best results
- 1 paring knife
Ingredients
- 1 whole orange, sliced into eighths blood orange preferred
- 1 scoop unflavored protein powder
- 2 cups frozen banana chunks
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup frozen mango any mango variety
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup unflavored or berry flavored Greek yogurt
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender. Make sure the liquids and the yogurt are put in last. All the ingredients are quite soft, so your blender shouldn’t have any issues mixing the ingredients.
- Blend the ingredients together for no less than 20 seconds. If it comes out too thick and you don’t like it, simply add more orange juice, coconut milk, or water while the smoothie is blending.
- Serve in any size cups. Add ice and/or drinking straws if you wish.
How to make ahead and store your mango smoothie
To make your smoothie ahead of time, follow the recipe instructions and increase the yield if you want to make more smoothies. Then, pour the smoothie into an airtight, freezer-safe mason, and store it in your freezer. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, leave it in the fridge overnight so that it thaws the next day.
Storing your mango smoothie is simple. Either pour your smoothie in an airtight jar or cover a smoothie glass tightly with plastic wrap, then place it in your fridge. Drink it within a day or two for optimal freshness.
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