Some of my favorite memories with my mom include us tanning in the Caribbean heat, sipping our virgin Piña Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris with no cares in the world. There's something so calming about basking in the sun (whether it's the dose of vitamin D or just the pleasure of quiet relaxation, I'm agreeing to both) and my mom and I find it quite therapeutic.

I’ve spent the majority of my summer in quarantine building a business and staying inside all day, so my mental health has taken a toll and I find myself literally craving the warm tropical sunshine. I've been so desperate, in fact, that I'll occasionally get in my swimsuit and lay on my beach towel in the grassy area in front of our apartment complex and all the neighbors!

Yes, I'm telling the truth. But you know what? It's helped a lot. And since I can't be outside all the time or travel to Mexico, I decided to bring the sunshine to me with the smoothie version of my favorite [virgin] fruity drink! And let me tell you, this Piña Colada Breakfast Smoothie does not disappoint!

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Do I need coconut milk for this Piña Colada Breakfast Smoothie?

Actually, no you don't! I knew the easiest (and most traditional) way to make a virgin piña colada smoothie would be combining fresh or frozen pineapple with coconut milk, but I wanted something new and different without sacrificing the classic flavor. After all, this a breakfast smoothie, right?

I also knew that by using coconut milk or cream, I’d be adding a lot of watered-down saturated fat and I would need ice, so I kept looking. Then, when I was at Walmart one day, I found exactly what I was looking for: coconut flavored Greek yogurt! It also happened to be from my all-time favorite yogurt brand, Oikos Triple Zero, so I was ecstatic!

Here are a few reasons why I recommend using Oikos Triple Zero Coconut Cream Yogurt instead of canned coconut milk:

1. To make a piña colada, you need “colada” (coconut) and this yogurt is coconut flavored! And since it's yogurt, that means it's refrigerated, so you don't need to add ice.
2. This yogurt is thick and creamy without the saturated fat! If you prefer your Greek yogurt to have some fat in it, Oikos also carries a Toasted Coconut Whole Milk Yogurt you can try.
3. Triple Zero gives a huge serving of protein in each of their single serving cups — 15g to be exact! I always aim to have protein with my breakfasts so I am satiated until lunch.

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Nutritious Ingredients In This Healthy Piña Colada Smoothie

Now comes the other delicious ingredients you need to make your smoothie: pineapple and cinnamon. I used fresh pineapple in this recipe, but frozen works just as well. However, you might need a splash of milk to help everything blend smoothly. Either way, you’re getting lots of nutrients from the fruit!

Here are some health benefits of pineapple:

• 1 cup of pineapple has 131% of your daily intake of vitamin C
• 1 cup of pineapple has 76% of your daily intake of manganese, which has powerful antioxidant properties and may help regulate blood sugar
• Enzymes in pineapples help ease digestion and may help muscles recover faster after a strenuous workout (hello post-workout shake!)

You should also add cinnamon to your pina colada breakfast smoothie because:

• Cinnamon contains high levels of potent antioxidants
• Cinnamon can improve your sensitivity to insulin, a hormone that regulates your glucose levels
• Cinnamon helps with inflammation, which can help you fight disease

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Make This Virgin Piña Colada Smoothie Your Own!

I love this smoothie recipe because it’s simple and easy to remember, but there are also so many ways you can make it your own! Here are some suggestions:

• Use 1 cup frozen pineapple instead of fresh pineapple
• Add spinach or kale for a boost of vitamins (it will make your smoothie green, too!)
• For dairy-free diets: swap the Oikos yogurt for dairy-free coconut yogurt
• Add strawberries to make a Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie—just make sure to add more liquid!
• Top with unsweetened shredded coconut flakes for extra sweetness and texture

More Smoothie Recipes You'll Love

Heart Healthy Blueberry Crisp Smoothie

PB & J Breakfast Smoothie

Peach Sunrise Smoothie

Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Mixed Berry Banana Smoothie

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I'd love to hear how you liked this Healthy Virgin Piña Colada Breakfast Smoothie! Leave a star rating and review below, then tag me on Instagram @kapaicooking so I can see your finished smoothie!

Your feedback is valuable to the content creation here at Ka Pai Cooking and it makes me so happy to see how you love my recipes. I'll do my best to respond to each comment!