Published October 15, 2023 by Dr. Stephanie Gray, DC

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Try my healthy, nutrient dense Pumpkin Spice Smoothie. Rich in colour, with a hint of maple syrup this smoothie recipe proves to be another winner.

The pumpkin gives the smoothie its beautiful orange colour and creamy, decadent texture. 

This smoothie includes a green banana. Yes, green banana. Not yellow with a little green. Green. Sound weird? Keep reading. Adding a green banana may be unusual to you but they add to your daily intake of prebiotic fibre, to nourish your microbiome. (Micro-what? see below for more on this). Unripe bananas have virtually zero sugar but plenty of fibre and thicken the smoothie nicely. You can’t taste the green banana in a smoothie, making it a wonderful addition. 

This smoothie also includes the option to add MCT oil and collagen powder. MCT oil is a healthy fat that offers an immediate source of energy to super-charge your brain. Collagen powder provides the amino acids necessary for connective tissue remodeling. This will help support your joints, tendons, ligaments and skin.

Perfect for breakfast on the go or a nutrient dense snack to keep your brain and body going. This recipe is gluten, grain and dairy-free, and includes healthy fats and collagen.

Make this smoothie with your own Homemade Almond Milk

Here are some more great smoothie recipes:

Strawberry Banana Lime Smoothie

Ginger Beet Smoothie

Lemon Chia Smoothie 

Healthy Blueberry Smoothie

What is the Microbiome?

The microbiome is often called the “forgotten organ”. It is like a bustling metropolis inside your gut. It’s a vast community of trillions of microbes, including bacteria, fungi and even viruses that live there. This mini-ecosystem plays a crucial role in our overall health. It helps with digestion, produces vitamins and even influences our immune system. Maintaining a balanced and diverse microbiome is essential because it can affect everything from our mood to our ability to fight off infections. When you eat nutrient-dense gut-friendly foods, you’re giving these micro-organisms a helping hands. Most of my recipes on my blog promote a happy and harmonious microbiome. 

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are special plant fibers in food that induce the growth of beneficial gut bacteria in your GI tract. Prebiotics usually come from types of carbohydrates that humans can’t digest (but gut bacteria can!) Gut bacteria need to eat too to survive and rely on the food that you eat to thrive or they die out. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to help with a variety of biological tasks such as support healthy digestion and immune function.

Other good sources of prebiotic fiber include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, dandelion greens, beets. The pumpkin and green banana in this smoothie will provide you with tons of prebiotic fibers to feed your good bacteria.

 Why is sugar harmful to the microbiome?

Sugar can be a bit of a troublemaker for your microbiome. When you consume too much sugar, it can lead to an overgrowth of certain harmful bacteria in your gut. These unfriendly bacteria thrive on sugar and start to crowd out the beneficial ones. This imbalance in your microbiome can result in inflammation, which is linked to a range of health issues, from digestive problems to a weakened immune system.

Now let’s get on with the recipe!

Why you will LOVE this Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

• It’s so easy and simple to make!

• Pumpkin and pumpkin spice are comfort foods  

• Very little mess since you only need a high-speed blender.

• This smoothie is loaded with nutrition! Full of good things like prebiotics, good fat and collagen that support your gut, mind,  mitochondria and connective tissues.

• Because this smoothie contains MCT oil, it will give you long lasting energy and improved cognition. 

How to Store this Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

This smoothie is best if consumed right away. Store in the fridge if you can’t drink it right away. The smoothie may naturally separate as it sits. Give it a good shake or a whirl in the blender before serving. 

I’m a doctor of chiropractic, with a special interest in nutrition. I am passionate about healthy eating and using food to heal thyself. Food should be made in a kitchen not a factory. I believe in eating whole foods, keeping processed foods to a minimum. It is my goal to show you that eating healthy and cooking at home can be simple and very rewarding! All of my recipes are gluten-free. Some are ketogenic or paleo friendly.