Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie: Get your Antioxidant on!

If you're thinking “Blueberry and pineapple? That's a strange combination” you're not alone. I was thinking the same thing this morning when I threw this together. But, to my surprise it was fantastic!

I typically use water, milk or unsweetened orange juice in my smoothies, but I was out of orange juice and milk, and since this smoothie would be replacing my lunch, I decided to pass on the water. What I was left with was a carton of pineapple juice. So I rolled with it.

Not only does this smoothie taste great, it also packs quite a punch nutritionally. Blueberries are one of the most antioxidant rich foods we know of. Antioxidants help to prevent damage to cells and DNA structures caused by free radicals. Blueberries bring with them a lot more then just a potent punch of antioxidants however. 1 single cup of fresh of frozen blueberries provides you with nearly 40% of your daily requirements for vitamin K, as well as almost 25% of your daily vitamin C and manganese.

Add to all those blueberries some probiotic rich yogurt, and omega rich flax and you're left with a healthy and delicious smoothie.

If you are on a sugar reduced diet, you may want to substitute or dilute your pineapple juice with water, as it is quite sugary.

Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie:

Serves 1

Calories: 270 per serving

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1/2 banana

1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tbsp ground flax seed

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.