For this island tropical smoothie recipe, I’ve included an array of tropical fruits and coconut water blended with a big handful of spinach. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to have a frosty glass of this island green smoothie poolside? And maybe a paper umbrella… Def a paper umbrella.

Our senses of smell and taste have the magical power to transport us directly back to any memory. It’s amazing. This tropical smoothie recipe does that for me. I love traveling to tropical places and spending plenty of time at the beach. I’m a California girl living in Florida, yet I’ll never tire of the ocean!

Island tropical green smoothie

Take a mini-vacay to the beach with this delicious island green tropical smoothie recipe!

Table of Contents
  1. How to Make an Island Green Smoothie
  2. Tropical Smoothie Ingredients
  3. Fruit Sugar vs. Refined Sugar
  4. FAQs
  5. More Island Tropical Smoothie Recipes
  6. Island Green Smoothie Recipe

How to Make an Island Green Smoothie

I’ve mentioned before that I don’t typically limit my fruit intake. I enjoy fruit when I’m in the mood as part of a well-rounded, healthy diet.

I know that’s not always the case for everyone. Those who need to  watch their blood sugar should consult with a medical professional before blending.

In any case, I love using fruit to sweeten my smoothies – no processed sugar needed! Fruits like banana and pineapple are naturally sweet and really add a tropical punch to this smoothie. Read on to see just why they’re better for you than refined sugars.

Tropical Smoothie Ingredients

If you’re new to green smoothies, your tastebuds will go through a little adjustment phase as they recalibrate towards the natural sweetness of fruit and other flavors. Some smoothies will taste sweeter than others. If you’re someone who has a sweet tooth, start by blending smoothies made with tropical fruits. Look no further than the tropical beverage below to satisfy the sweetest of sweet teeth!

Tropical fruit adds the most sweetness to smoothies due to their higher sugar content. Lower sugar fruits include berries, bananas, stone fruits, apples, and pears. They are also sweet, but not as sweet as tropical fruit.

As your tastebuds adjust and when you’re ready, start blending other fruits. You’ll find that all fruit starts to taste sweeter and more flavorful now that sugar isn’t masking the other flavors. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself craving a daily dose of leafy green goodness.

Fruit Sugar vs. Refined Sugar

While it’s true that refined or processed sugars digest quickly and totally cause those icky blood sugar spikes, the sugar we ingest with fruit is completely different.

Fruit isn’t just full of sugar. With the natural sugar in fruit comes plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, etc., etc., not to mention dietary fiber.

Fiber is our friend.

Dietary fiber helps prevents blood sugar spikes by slowing things down as they move down the line so your body can absorb the nutrients at an even keel. You will stay full for longer and that same dietary fiber will help with keeping you, ahem – regular.

Fresh tropical fruit smoothie ingredients

Give your body a natural reset through whole food

Brace yourself. I’m going to say a word that scares some who are new to plant based eating – detox.

If you’re looking for an easy way to detox daily, then the island green tropical smoothie recipe below is a great one to get blending.

Four times each year, I promise myself I’ll hit the reset button on my eating habits. I consciously make the choice to eat in ways, for short periods of time, that give my body the best of what plants have to offer. Part of that involves green smoothies of course! The nutrient + fiber rich greens do wonders to cleanse my body in a gentle, yet effective way.

If you’re ready to hit that reset button along with me, check out one of my Seasonal Cleanses. They are purely food based, no fancy-fancy pills or powders. You can cook and blend along with me, seeing results that I enjoy too – like better sleep, better skin and better energy.

Green smoothie in mason jar with paper straw

FAQs

Is the island green smoothie healthy?

With a good dose of dietary fiber and a whopping 168 mg of Vitamin C, we sure think so! Yet, I know some rawkstars might need a bit less fruit sugar when blending. If that’s you, be sure to check out our Low Sugar Fruits for Smoothies.

Are green smoothies bad for your kidneys?

Great question! Depending on the greens you use in your smoothies, you can end up taking in higher amounts of oxalates, which in turn may cause kidney stones. While this doesn’t happen often, if it’s something you’re concerned about we def recommend staying hydrated with good water and rotating your greens. Changing up your greens on the regular helps to keep from building up any one particular nutrient in your body and ensures you get a wide variety of all those oh-so-good for you vitamins, minerals and more.

What is the purpose of a detox smoothie?

Most of us don’t take in healthy fruits and veggie as often as we should. Using smoothies are an amazing way to up the intake of the good stuff. When I blend, I’m keeping all the fiber in with my veg + fruit, which helps clear out anything bad my body is holding onto. It’s a great way to detox gently.

More Island Tropical Smoothie Recipes

So now do I have you feeling all the tropical island feels??? If you’re ready for more vacation-worthy smoothies, be sure to give these a blend:

Where would you like to be sipping these tropical smoothies: beach or poolside? Drop a comment below to let us know!
4.83 from 177 votes

Island Green Smoothie

As the weather cools down, this smoothie will have you thinking back to the glory days of summer. This smoothie is also known as Hawaiian Breeze.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based, Vegan
Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup spinach
  • ½ cup coconut water unsweetened
  • 1 orange peeled
  • ½ cup pineapple
  • ½ cup mango
  • ½ banana
  • 1 serving homemade protein powder optional

Instructions 

  • BLEND spinach, coconut water, and orange together until smooth.
  • ADD remaining fruit and blend again.

Notes

  • Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.
  • May swap out coconut water with regular water, if preferred.
  • To reduce sweetness, substitute avocado for banana.
  • Swap out spinach for the leafy greens of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 152mg, Potassium: 1144mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 42g, Vitamin A: 4086IU, Vitamin C: 156mg, Calcium: 134mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Add this to one of my favs! It reminds me of lying in a hammock in the shade, good book, and music. Really like this one. Will make it again!

    1. 5 stars
      That all sounds so amazing right about now 🙂

    1. 5 stars
      Yay!! SO happy this one is a winner for you 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I really enjoyed the refreshing, tropical flavor of this smoothie! I will definitely be making this again.

  3. 5 stars
    Hawaiian Breeze gets an A++
    I love the tropical taste of this flavorful green smoothie on a cold winters day!

  4. 5 stars
    Yes! This one was delicious and my number two after #teambeginnersluck The color is so bright it makes me happy

  5. 5 stars
    This is one of my favorite recipes. I live in Vermont so it’s an extra special treat as there is no pool or beach in sight. While the temps are in the single digits outside, this smoothie makes me feel just plain happy.

  6. 5 stars
    One of my favorites. So tropical and the gorgeous green color was amazing. Through this challenge I’ve come to realize that his 30 day challenge has started a real lifestyle change and will continue long after the 30 days are over.! It is so easy and delicious!