Boost Weight Loss and Keep Skin Glowing with Tasty Tropical Smoothie

A healthy drink that helps create smoother, hydrated skin and also helps boost weight loss? Sounds good to me!

I came across a smoothie recipe called the "Spa Skin Cleanse" on SimpleGreenSmoothies.com that seemed too good to pass up. With ingredients like pineapple and coconut water, how could I not give it a try?  It's tropical (hey, enough already with pumpkin-inspired everything, right?), filled with healthy fats and tons of vitamins that do wonders for skin and overall health, including weight loss.

Just 4 ingredients away from better skin and weight loss!

How to Make the Healthy Skin & Weight Loss Smoothie

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 cups spinach, fresh
• 2 cups coconut water
• 2 cups pineapple
• 1 avocado

Directions

First blend the spinach and coconut water until the mixture is smooth.

Add pineapple and avocado to mixture, blend again.

Talk about easy : )

Enjoy!

Health Benefits

Smoothies are not only great for people on the go, but they're a great way to be sure to get the daily dose of fruits and veggies.  Plus, for those not wild about certain foods like spinach, adding items like the ones in this smoothie mask the flavor while still allowing your body to get in on the healthy goodness.

Here's what's in it for you:

Pineapple, while high in sugar (the key though, is that it's natural, and much better than added sugars like ones found in additives or packets of artificial sweeteners), is low in calories. Just one slice has about 40 calories.(1) However, most of us know that losing weight isn't about just counting calories, but rather eating the right foods to help with the process.

Since the fruit is rich in fiber and water -- two key ingredients for those seeking weight loss -- it's a great food for those who crave a sweet treat that's incredibly filling. (1)

When it comes to coconut water, it's touted as being healthier than many popular sports drinks that have been found to contain artificial color-enhancing dyes.(2) Instead, coconut water is  fat-free, low-calorie option that's also brimming with potassium, which is needed to replenish the  electrolytes that are typically lost during exercise. Often referred to as a "fluid of life," eight ounces of it has approximately 15 times more potassium than most sports drinks and more potassium than one banana.(2)

As for skin, naturopathic doctor Bruce Fife, N.D., explains that it's a good source of cytokinins which are plant hormones that have may have an anti-aging effect on cells.(3) Drinking coconut water, he says, can help repair skin from the inside out and keep skin from sagging and becoming misshapen.(3)

I recently celebrated a big birthday and try to do all I can to keep in shape, and that includes paying attention to the shape of my skin. Sipping on this smoothie not only tastes wonderful, but helps my skin look softer. Win-win!

Coconut water helps keep skin in great shape. I'm all for that!

Spinach is considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods, making it ideal for weight loss rather than foods that are low in calories but void of the ability to deliver proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to the body.(4) Not only is spinach low in calories (one cup has just 40 calories), but it's rich in vitamins K and A, folate, manganese, calcium and fiber, and has also been shown to reduce skin cancer.(4)

Last but certainly not least, the avocado (one of my favorites) is filled with healthy fats. Its fats are responsible for keeping the skin's top layer soft, and according to  experts at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, they play a role in protecting the skin against sun damage and inflammation.(5)

Furthermore, they contain antioxidants that help boost production of collagen and also have the ability to fight free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin's elasticity.(5)

What are you waiting for? This tropical smoothie is filled with healthy foods that keep weight loss (or maintenance) goals in check while keeping skin glowing.

Go for it!

This smoothie tastes great and is great for you.

(1) http://www.healthmango.com/ (2) http://www.naturalnews.com/ (3) http://www.livestrong.com/ (4) http://www.livestrong.com/ (5) http://www.livestrong.com/