Between two kids and a demanding job, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to have free time in the mornings. Luckily for me, whenever I’m feeling the crunch during those especially busy mornings, I can always turn to making a healthy breakfast smoothie in order to ensure that everyone can enjoy a health balanced breakfast that can be ready to go in just minutes. While we’ve shared all kinds of great breakfast smoothie recipes before, the recipe I’m sharing today is definitely a top contender when it comes to being my number one favorite. It makes a light and refreshing watermelon breakfast smoothie that works perfectly as a balanced breakfast, providing all of the essential nutrients you’ll need in order to start your day off right.

A Satisfying Smoothie to Kickstart Your Mornings

You’ll be using both ripe watermelon and frozen pineapple chunks when making this smoothie and they’re both two of my favorite fruits to enjoy at breakfast time. Watermelon is rich in an antioxidant called lycopene which plays a vital role in helping to keep many types of disease at bay. (1) Meanwhile, pineapple contains a compound known as bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that provides numerous great health benefits. (2) Bromelain helps to give your immune system a boost, it reduces inflammation, and it provides relief from indigestion and heartburn. Combining these two ingredients is a perfect way to get this smoothie off to a great start.

You’ll also need to add one cup of plain yogurt when making this smoothie. I love using yogurt in most of my smoothie recipes actually, as it’s a great source of protein and probiotics that help to keep your gut health in order. Studies have also found that pairing yogurt with fruit potentially provides some great health benefits because of their combined prebiotic and probiotic content. (3) Rolled oats are also added into the mix as well, as they’re another great breakfast ingredient that’s commonly paired with yogurt. They’re also a great source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants in their own right.

In addition to all of the above ingredients, you’ll also be mixing in one tablespoon of flaxseed meal as well. Flaxseed is one of my favorite sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids (it’s also the best available source for anyone out there who isn’t a fan of seafood). Not only does flaxseed meal add a good mix of these healthy fats into this recipe, but it also provides a solid amount of both dietary fiber and antioxidants, making it a great heart healthy ingredient that helps to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. (4)

The rest of the ingredients that go into making this recipe are basically there to help add more overall flavor to the smoothie. You’ll be mixing in fresh mint leaves, one teaspoon of honey, and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. All three of these ingredients add an immense amount of flavor that you’ll definitely notice with every sip, but more importantly, they all provide their own distinct health benefits to the smoothie as well. After adding all three in, simply toss in a bit of ice as well and then blend well until smooth before enjoying.