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Diet Food

Satisfying Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie with Coconut Cream

August 10, 2023

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Looking for a smoothie that actually fills you up? This creamy, refreshing blueberry pineapple smoothie is my dietitian-approved take on the famous Erewhon coconut cloud smoothie. With 13 grams of plant-based protein and 8 grams of filling fiber, this is a gut-friendly smoothie you’ll look forward to each morning!

When you want a nutritious + delicious breakfast, FAST, it’s hard to beat a smoothie, whether you lean towards something light and refreshing like my too-good-to-be-true green turmeric ginger smoothie or you prefer something rich and creamy like my chocolate peanut butter smoothie.

They’re such a staple that I always create a couple of new smoothie recipes for my cookbooks, like Good For Your Gut, and it’s so fun to dream up new flavour combos.

I mean what’s not to like, when smoothies take 5 minutes to make – and make it SO easy to throw a bunch of nutrient-dense plant foods into one meal to set an energized tone for the day. But, they aren’t without their pitfalls…like have you ever made a smoothie that tasted awful, because you went a little too wild on the additions?

Or, have you ever made a big smoothie only to be starving one hour later? As far as plant-based recipes go, it seems like smoothies are super easy but hitting that sweet spot between taste and nutrition does take a few tricks.

So, let this plant-based dietitian help you craft a smoothie that is not just good for you but tastes good and keeps you FULL! I’ve got plenty of tips for making better smoothies and this blueberry pineapple smoothie was born of me wanting to make a more nutrient-dense, affordable version of Erewhon’s coconut cloud smoothie.

I was watching everyone post about the coconut cloud smoothie that Marianna Hewitt designed for Erewhon and I couldn’t help but think A) cute B) EXPENSIVE and C) why wouldn’t you choose nutrient-dense blueberries for colour instead of a sprinkle of algae?

This recipe stays pretty true to the original except I replace Blue Majik with more affordable (and nutritious!) blueberries and I decreased the amount of fat in general, in particular coconut cream because it is rich in saturated fats (which we want to keep in moderation for long term health). Finally, I swapped soy milk – which is high in plant-based protein – for low protein almond milk and skipped the collagen…because we don’t need collagen to make collagen!

If you don’t know Erewhon, it’s an incredible health food store in the Los Angeles area. Whenever I visit, I always go at least once to see what’s new and trending and try a whole bunch of things we don’t get up here in Canada. But it’s also ridiculously expensive. $17 bucks for a smoothie? Maybe on vacation as a treat…but NOT for everyday.

Put these 7 simple ingredients on your shopping list

Making fancy smoothies at home is a great way to save money…and this blueberry pineapple smoothie is no exception. And if you’re like, um but blueberries and pineapple are expensive?? I’ve got two words for you: FROZEN and COSTCO!! Frozen fruit is often much less than fresh and if you grab both at Costco, you’ll have smoothie ingredients for a month for less than a week’s supply at your typical supermarket.

frozen blueberries and pineapple and banana in bowls — Want a more filling smoothie? Add plenty of fibre – like banana, blueberries and pineapple – along with protein and healthy fats from almond butter, soy milk and coconut cream.

Coconut cream: coconut cream is higher fat than coconut milk, usually around 20%. You can find canned coconut cream in most stores but if yours doesn’t have it, simply chill your coconut milk and scoop the hardened cream off the top of the can!
Soy milk: I am here to tell you that soy milk is one of the most underrated plant-based swaps you can make because it’s creamy and makes getting more protein effortless, with 8 grams per cup!
Blueberries: blueberries are rich in tummy-soothing soluble fibre as well as plant-based compounds called polyphenols, which are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to help support your body’s repair systems.
Pineapple: rich in skin-friendly vitamin C, pineapple tends to be quite soothing on the gut because it is low FODMAP and contains some fibre as well as an enzyme called bromelain. Pineapple and blueberry go so well together: it’s bright flavour also keeps this smoothie from tasting flat.
Banana: I LOVE a small banana for adding a creamy, frosty texture to smoothies…ditch the idea that bananas are simply starchy filler! Bananas contain prebiotics that boost the gut microbiome plus plenty of vitamins and minerals like heart healthy potassium.
Almond butter: rich, creamy almond butter is a surprising boost of protein, fibre and minerals and really enhances the flavour of this smoothie…don’t skip it! Allergic? Sunflower butter is a good dupe.
Vanilla: I love just a hint of vanilla to make this smoothie feel even more dessert like, along with a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the flavours.

How to make this easy, blueberry coconut cloud smoothie

This creamy, filling blueberry coconut smoothie takes less than 5 minutes to make!! Here is how you do it…with a 30 second bonus step to make it extra cute.

Step One: pop ALL the ingredients, minus 1 tablespoon of chilled coconut cream, into the blender and blend until smooth, about 30-60 seconds.

Step Two: If you want to create that cute, cloud-like effect, simply sweep the remaining coconut cream around the inside of the glass, then pour in the smoothie and enjoy!

Yep, it’s really that simple…which is why this smoothie is a winner.

smoothie ingredients in blender — It’s SO easy: just pop everything in the blender and blend until smooth!

hand spooning coconut cream into glass — It’s SO easy: just pop everything in the blender and blend until smooth!

Why this blueberry pineapple smoothie is so, so good for you!

This blueberry pineapple smoothie is delicious! Which all the reason I need to enjoy it…but it’s also ridiculously good for you and packed with nutrition benefits.

It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants! Think skin-loving and immune-supportive vitamin C and E. Blueberries are an antioxidant powerhouse and soy milk and almond butter contain valuable minerals like iron, zinc and calcium.
It’s got protein…even without protein powder: On its own, this smoothie contains 13 grams of plant-based protein, which is likely enough for smaller appetites. Want to increase it? Just add ½ or a full scoop of your favourite protein powder.
It’s high in fibre: This gut health dietitian wants you to eat more high fiber foods!! Smaller, less active bodies need 25 grams daily while larger, more active bodies need 38 grams. This yummy smoothie packs 8 grams of fibre, making it an awesome high fibre start to the day.
It’s filling and blood sugar friendly: feeling full and satisfied and maintaining steady blood sugars go hand-in-hand. How? When you balance a meal with protein, fibre and fat, it slows down the rate at which nutrients and digested and absorbed, leading to a nice, sustained rise in blood sugars and therefore, energy levels.
It’s microbiome-friendly: we know how important it is to eat a variety of plant foods to support the gut microbiome and this delicious smoothie contains 6 different plants, which makes it easy to get your 30 plant points a week!
It’s allergy-friendly: this smoothie is vegan, gluten free, dairy free and with a couple of easy swaps, it can be made totally nut free or low FODMAP!

How to make this a low FODMAP blueberry pineapple smoothie

It’s SUPER EASY to make this blueberry pineapple smoothie low FODMAP…all you have to do is swap out the soy milk for almond milk and either omit or decrease the ripe banana to ⅓ of a medium fruit. It will be every bit as delicious!

PSST…If you’re on a low FODMAP diet for IBS right now, I know it can be frustrating to find delicious plant-based low FODMAP recipes…which is why I make sure this website has plenty of low FODMAP options and offer low FODMAP modifications on many of my other recipes. I’ve also got a ton of great low FODMAP friendly recipes in my cookbook, Good For Your Gut!

Tips, Tricks and Substitutions

This is a smoothie you want to enjoy right away! Between the bromelain enzyme in the pineapple and the gelling soluble fibre in blueberries, its texture goes a little off if you leave it in the fridge for an hour.
Have leftovers? Pour them into ice cube trays or silicone muffin cups and freeze for smoothie starters the next day!
Want a thicker smoothie? Use all frozen fruit. A lighter smoothie? Use fresh fruit! And yes, you can make this into a smoothie bowl by using all frozen fruit and decreasing the soy milk to ½ cup. Blend in a high speed blender on high, using the tamper.
Make it nut free by swapping sunflower seed butter for almond butter. Low FODMAP swaps are above!
Don’t love banana? Just leave it out! The smoothie will still be delicious.
Need more protein? Add a scoop of your favourite protein powder!

More yummy, tummy-friendly smoothies