Kefir is an underrated ingredient – providing significantly more live, active cultures when compared to yogurt! If you’re looking for a different take on a smoothie, try this tasty and refreshing peach pineapple kefir smoothie. The benefits? A creamy, tropical beverage that increases the good bacteria in your gut and provides vitamin D!
The kefir used in this recipe resembles a drinkable yogurt in consistency and taste. I love adding it to smoothies because it actually tastes delicious! I don’t notice much of a difference compared to yogurt.
Enjoy this delightfully refreshing smoothie – perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day OR providing an excellent source of vitamin D in those winter months.
Reasons to Try This Kefir Smoothie
- Simple and easy: Just six ingredients, two of them being water and ice cubes.
- Packed with probiotics: Do you know what foods contain probiotics? Fermented foods. Kefir is a fermented beverage with multiple strains of probiotics (even listed on the label).
- High in fiber: One serving has 9 grams of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Chia seeds contain prebiotics, which provide food for the probiotics. A healthy balance of both prebiotics and probiotics can lead to a move diverse gut microbiome.
- Great source of vitamin D! There are NOT many food sources of vitamin D- and this smoothie contains 30% of our daily value. That means this smoothie is ideal for summer AND winter. Vitamin D deficiency is becoming more common. Multiple studies show there is a link between vitamin D deficiency, depression and anxiety.
What is Kefir?
Kefir is a dairy product produced through microbial fermentation by combining kefir grains and milk, resulting in healthy microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Consuming kefir comes with many promising benefits due to the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic properties.
Kefir grains contain more than 60 different strains of bacteria, which makes it a more diverse source of probiotics as compared to yogurt and other fermented dairy products.
The more variety the better when it comes to a healthy gut microbiome! With more diversity comes increased adaptability and resilience against the “bad” bacteria. It is directly correlated with improved health and well-being.
INGREDIENTS
Recipe makes one large serving or two small servings.
Tips For Success
- Divide this recipe into two smaller servings for a refreshing snack, lower in calories and sugar.
- Add 1 scoop of protein powder for a well-balanced breakfast with > 30 grams of protein.
- Kefir can also be made dairy-free: look for coconut water kefir or coconut milk kefir.
- Use stevia as a substitute for honey to reduce sugar.
- Add 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt for extra protein without protein powder.
How to Make A Peach Pineapple Kefir Smoothie
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Add all ingredients to a blender or Nutri-bullet and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!
Pour into a large glass or divide into two smaller servings. Drink immediately.
Other Variations
Kefir comes in so many different flavors. Try my creamy strawberry kefir smoothie (which basically tastes like a strawberry smoothie) or come up with your own variations.
Raspberries are very high in fiber and prebiotics. The mixed berry kefir with frozen raspberries and milk would be delicious and nutritious!
Related Posts:
— High Protein Chia Breakfast Bowl
— The Best Food Swaps for Gut Health (with Recipes)
— Functional Beverages: Trendy or Worth a Try?
Peach Pineapple Kefir Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional – or use stevia for less sugar)
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 8 ounces Lifeway Peach Kefir
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 cup water (or sub with coconut water/unsweetened almond milk)
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients to a blender or Nutri-bullet until smooth and creamy.
- Drink immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Sweeten with stevia for less sugar.
- Makes 1 large serving, or divide into 2 small servings.
- To increase protein content, add 1 scoop of protein powder or 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 300 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 13g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 5.4g | 27% |
| Cholesterol 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium 125mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate 30.5g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber 9g | 32% |
| Total Sugars 35g | |
| Protein 11.5g | |
| Vitamin D 3.8mcg | 20% |
| Calcium 390mg | 30% |
| Iron 1mg | 8% |
| Potassium 380mg | 8% |
A Good Source of Vitamin D!
All in all, kefir is a little higher in sugar than yogurt – but consuming it provides so many potential benefits.
Getting an adequate amount of vitamin D is difficult in the winter months, if you live in colder climates – and Lifeway Kefir contains 30% of our daily value! It’s a versatile ingredient that can be substituted for milk or yogurt in various recipes.
This was very good, not too sweet. Refreshing.