What do mango, matcha, hemp seeds, and almond milk have in common? They are all essential this unique smoothie recipe I’ll be sharing with you today. Alone, they have incredible flavor. Combined, it transforms into a tropical-style smoothie complete with sweet and tangy flavors. Needless to say, this smoothie goes above and beyond in the taste department.

Learn to Love Chia Seeds

Kelly Slater, 11-time world surfing champion, is a strong advocate for the health benefits of one of today’s recipe ingredients. He loves chia seeds, and so do we. They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium. They’ve also been shown to help promote weight loss in type 2 diabetics. (1) Matcha powder on the other hand, is just as powerful for weight loss and health. Studies on the therapeutic benefits of matcha powder range from promoting cardiovascular health, to the reduction of symptoms of skin disorders, to a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer. (2) Hemp seeds are another vital component of this smoothie recipe because of its omega 3 fatty acid content which have potent cardiovascular benefits. (3)

You can hardly taste any spinach or leafy greens in this smoothie, and it’s pretty sweet on its own which is why there’s no added honey or sweeteners. It’s the perfect way to get an extra serving of vegetables into your diet without even knowing they’re there because the fruity flavor is more dominant. That’s because it contains pineapple, mango and banana. Fruits contain a mixture of natural fructose and glucose for energy, and the fiber content slows it down so that it doesn’t cause sugar spikes and crashes unlike refined sugar.

Almond milk adds an excellent nutty flavor to the smoothie without overpowering the fruity components. Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, magnesium, copper, and phytonutrients. It has been shown to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels in the blood. (4)

For this recipe to work well in a Nutribullet blender, you will want to make sure that you have the correct cup and blade set. The hard texture of the hemp and chia seeds, as well as the pineapple and mango chunks, might require a little more prep than if you were to use a larger blender.

There you have it! Another kale smoothie that works well as a post-workout drink, a quick breakfast on-the-go, or simply as a nourishing snack. It’s energy-dense, meaning it’s filling enough to take the place of a small meal or as a larger snack to help tide you over in between meals. Whatever purpose it serves, I’m confident that you’ll mark this as one of your favorites!