- You need just three ingredients to make this nutrient-packed drink.
- Potassium-rich ingredients help to support better blood pressure.
- Sweet pineapple and refreshing coconut water balance kale’s earthiness.
This Kale-Pineapple Drink will become your new favorite way to enjoy your greens. Potassium-rich kale is balanced by sweet pineapple and hydrating coconut water to create a drink that tastes as vibrant as it looks. Blanching the kale is crucial to help soften its bitterness. Ready to try the drink for yourself? Look out for the tips below on how to customize the recipe to suit your taste and routine.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Don’t skip the blanch-and-shock step for the kale! It tames bitterness, brightens the color and helps the greens blend smoothly.
- You can add a squeeze of lime or orange juice before blending to make the tropical flavors really pop.
- Lacinato or curly kale work equally as well here, just be sure to remove the stems for easy blending.
Nutrition Notes
- Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains vitamins A, C, E and folate. It can help support a healthy immune system and has anticancer benefits. Kale can give your bones a boost thanks to calcium and vitamin K. This dark leafy green also provides potassium to help lower blood pressure.
- Pineapple adds more than just sweetness. Pineapple contains a digestive enzyme called bromelain that not only supports better digestion, but also has anti-inflammatory benefits. Along with the kale, pineapple also contains vitamin C and potassium that can help regulate blood pressure.
- Coconut water is often called “nature’s sports drink” because of its electrolyte content of potassium, sodium, magnesium and a small amount of calcium that helps with hydration. The potassium content in coconut water also helps to relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure, working in tandem with the kale and pineapple to keep your heart healthy.
