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Pineapple Ginger Smoothie – The Ultimate Beverage of Champions

May 7, 2022

19 4 minutes read

ginger smoothie with plant based ingredients in a glass jar on a wooden plank

This plant-based pineapple ginger smoothie features vitamin C packed fruits and veggies, plus a knob of ginger root to curb inflammation and exercise-induced muscle pain.

To celebrate the three-day weekend, I created this energizing recipe after learning Venus Williams, a pro tennis player, enjoys a morning smoothie boosted with ginger and kale. If you want to start the day like a professional athlete, this nutrition-packed smoothie is perfect!

whole ingredients inside a blender container in stylized photo

How to Blend a Ginger Smoothie

Fresh ginger isn’t as soft or blend-able as most of the fruits and veggies I blend, so how do I make it work?

First, peel the ginger. While you can definitely get away with leaving the peel on some plants, I don’t recommend leaving the peel on here! You can use a veggie peeler or the back of a spoon. Next, grate or finely chop the ginger into pieces. Since this root doesn’t blend easily, making it as small as possible before going into the blender will help.

Finally, blend well! Don’t skimp on blending this smoothie fully, unless you want chunks of ginger going up your straw. If you’re using a high-powered blender, then you should be able to completely blend up the ginger. If not, you should use the grating method, then puree as much as you can before enjoying.

top down view of pineapple ginger smoothie

How Much Ginger Should I Use in a Smoothie?

My advice is start with a little bit, like the size of a dime. You can always add more, yet you can’t take it back. At first, I could only handle a small piece, yet over time I’ve fallen more in love with it. Now, I’ll easily add a chunk of it in without even flinching.

Ginger Smoothie FAQs

Can I put raw ginger in my smoothie?

Yes! If you want the maximum health benefits of ginger, definitely use the raw version. Just start small. A little goes a long way with this potent ingredient.

Are ginger smoothies good for you?

Definitely. Ginger is naturally anti-inflammatory, a natural pain reliever and a digestive aid that soothes the stomach.

Do I have to peel ginger for smoothies?

Yes, I recommend it. You’ll notice a difference in texture and taste if you leave on the peel, so just peel it with the back of a spoon or vegetable peeler before adding it to your smoothie ingredients.

Tennis pro Venus Williams drinks green smoothies

Venus Williams Signature Smoothie

In 2011, Venus was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s syndrome. Shifting to a plant-based diet drastically reduced some of her symptoms, including fatigue and joint pain. (This is not intended as medical advice. Please see a doctor if you experience symptoms.)

Take it from Venus, “Our bodies thrive on the things that we eat, it’s medicine for our bodies”, and choose foods that fuel your body in the best way possible. According to her interview with Shape, Venus’ morning pineapple ginger smoothie is packed with foods that calm inflammation and deliver powerful antioxidants to her body.

Whether she’s acing it on the tennis court or dialing in her lifestyle brand, Venus Williams gives it her all, and her glowing skin is no exception. Her morning drink of choice is a tasty, zingy ginger smoothie, reminiscent of a gingersnap cookie but with major health benefits to power her through everything from business meetings to morning workouts.

pineapple smoothie ingredients + finished smoothie in a jar

Pineapple and Ginger Benefits

Smoothies are an incredible way to pack in your daily servings of fruit and vegetables. Yet too much fruit and you could cause a sugar rush that leads to a crash. This smoothie is beautifully balanced thanks to the high fiber, light protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

Here are a few of the key ingredients:

Pineapple

One cup of fresh pineapple provides 131% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, so this is a great fruit to enjoy throughout cold and flu season.

Ginger

The ginger in this smoothie is a natural inflammation reducer. Inflammation, which is at the root of most diseases, causes physical symptoms like skin problems and digestive issues.

If you are prone to nausea or morning sickness, then this pineapple ginger smoothie’s for you! Ginger is highly effective against nausea, so add a bit to your daily smoothies for a calming effect.

photos of 3 smoothies that use fresh ginger

More Smoothies with Ginger

I know fresh ginger might be out of your comfort zone and I get it! It packs a punch. So start SMALL and work your way to a good chunk in your smoothie. Your body will thank you!

Pineapple Ginger Smoothie

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Print Recipe

This morning drink is a tasty, zingy pineapple ginger smoothie, reminiscent of a gingersnap cookie but with major health benefits to power you through your whole day.

Total Time5 minutes

Servings1 smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup kale (baby)
1 orange (peeled)
2 inch ginger root
1 cup almond milk
½ cup pineapple (frozen)
½ cup strawberries (frozen)
1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

Add kale, ginger, orange and almond milk to the blender.
Blend on high speed until all leafy chunks are gone and you have a smoothie consistency.
Add pineapple, strawberries and chia seeds and blend again.
Serve immediately.

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 263kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 46g (15%) Protein: 9g (18%) Fat: 8g (12%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 1g Sodium: 356mg (15%) Potassium: 873mg (25%) Fiber: 11g (46%) Sugar: 24g (27%) Vitamin A: 7051IU (141%) Vitamin C: 233mg (282%) Calcium: 553mg (55%) Iron: 3mg (17%)