One sip of this Dragon Fruit Smoothie and you'll feel like you've been swept away to a tropical island! This smoothie will surely brighten any dark and dreary winter day. It's made with simple ingredients and is not only beautiful, it's refreshing, nourishing and delicious!
The thing I love about smoothies is that you can tailor them to whatever mood you're in. Sometimes winter produce can leave me feeling bored and blah and craving those vibrant colors and flavors of summer. This dragon fruit smoothie was the perfect cure.
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is an exotic fruit that was once native to Mexico and Central America. The spiky pink fruit that looks like something out of "Game of Thrones," was named as such because of the dragon-like appearance of its outer skin. Many people describe the fruit as tasting like a cross between a strawberry and a pear.
There are different types of dragon fruit. The most common variety has white flesh inside with black seeds. There is another less common variety with a gorgeous magenta colored flesh. Obviously, this is the variety that I used for this recipe.
Nutrition Notes and Health Benefits
That beautiful, vibrant, purple color is a sign that the fruit has flavonoids and potent antioxidants. These nutrients are essential for disease prevention and can sometimes be lacking in our diet, especially during winter months.
It's high in fiber and prebiotics. A prebiotic, an important type of fiber that promotes the growth of good bacteria in your gut. People often pop vitamin and mineral supplements in winter to help support their immune system, even though most studies show they lack efficacy. However, maintaining a healthy gut microbiota by consuming prebiotic foods is essential in helping to prevent bacteria and pathogens from entering the body. It's probably one of the most important and efficacious ways to support your immune system. One serving of this smoothie has 8 gms of fiber!
Smoothie packets make it simple and quick to make.
In the northeast, it's not easy to find fresh dragon fruit. That's why I was so intrigued and excited when I came across these amazing dragon fruit smoothie packets, (you can find them in the frozen section of your supermarket). They contain frozen dragon fruit puree that you can just pop right into the blender. Super convenient!
For this dragon fruit smoothie recipe I also used frozen raspberries, baby spinach, banana and coconut water to really bring out that tropical vibe. The taste was out of this world! I highly recommend this combination of ingredients. You could also use coconut milk beverage, as well.
If you liked this smoothie, you may also want to try my Mango, Kale and Coconut Smoothie.
Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 dragon fruit smoothie packet
- ½ cup baby spinach
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup coconut water
- 1 small banana
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve cold or with ice.
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Nutrition
I prefer to focus on quality ingredients from a variety of sources that work in tandem to promote optimal health. Nutrition calculations may not reflect these valuable interactions. However, I understand certain values can be helpful to some. Please note these calculations are merely estimates. Values will vary depending on modifications, brands used, and portion size. Should you require specific information, it's best to consult with a dietitian or qualified healthcare provider.
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