Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie with Yogurt

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Pumpkin Spice is such a popular flavor during the fall season. I fall into the category of people who love it. Keep reading to learn how to make a Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie with Yogurt that has less sugar but is delicious none the less.

Pumpkin spice is one of those things that you either hate or love. I am the person that loves it. Lattes, breads, pie… I love it all. This Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie is a healthier take on the traditional Pumpkin Spice fall flavor added to my everyday smoothie. Refined sugar free and the addition of probiotics make this smoothie a filling and healthy treat to enjoy daily.

A Smoothie A Day Keeps… Bellies Full and Healthy

We have a smoothie for breakfast every day. I make a large smoothie and Ila and I share it. She loves it, it is full of nutrients for her and it is filling for me. It keeps breakfast simple since we cook three meals a day in this house. Paired with an egg and she is one happy baby.

Some days I want a big breakfast with all of the fixings. And some mornings I cannot even think about eating. Usually we save big breakfasts for the weekends when the mornings are slow and we can enjoy them as a family. It also helps our weekdays to run smoother to have a simpler meal in the mornings.

Now that pumpkins are easily accessible (and I already bought so many varieties, oops), we have been eating pumpkin with everything. It goes great in smoothies, muffins and breads, desserts, savory dishes, soups, casseroles… everything. I have not tried adding it to something without it being delicious.

The probiotics are very important in this smoothie. I like to fill our meals full of probiotics for the health benefits they provide. While this recipe calls for yogurt, you could also use milk kefir which actually has a higher probiotic count. It also has a different type of bacteria that are a bit more beneficial to our gut flora than yogurt. However, yogurt is easier for me to keep on hand in large batches. This smoothie makes about 4 cups and having one of these everyday means we go through a lot of yogurt.

Wholesome Ingredients

Our world is full of disease, regular antibiotic treatments and people relying on over the counter pain meds daily just to survive. No one considers that maybe the antibiotic filled meat and genetically modified crops contribute to this. Vegetables are not a staple, and organic, grass fed meat is considered too expensive to invest in.

Now do not get me wrong, we do not eat healthy 100% of the time. In fact, we eat out more than we should and regular sugar is sitting in my fridge. We keep modern medicines in our cabinet and we utilize the doctor when necessary. We are grateful for the advances in medicine but choose natural when we can and when it is wise. Not only does this keep our bodies healthier, but it relieves the pressure in doctor’s offices for things that are not an emergency or necessary.

No one is perfect but everyday that I add better quality meat, grains and dairy products to my diet, I realize how imperative it is that we make the switch. Investing in our health does not have to be hard. In fact, making my own yogurt and having this smoothie everyday is no harder than throwing a frozen burrito in the microwave. Switching out the processed Italian Cream coffee creamer (can you tell I’m guilty here?) for organic (or raw is even better, but it is hard to source in my area) cream and vanilla is not hard. I actually love it so much more. It is a matter of education and being willing to make the change.

Get your probiotics in, sour your grains and soak your beans. Eat your veggies and locally (and seasonally) source your food. You will be thankful. Your favorite meals can still be made just as delicious, just with better ingredients.

Oh, and make yourself this Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie!

Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie Benefits

Pumpkin

Both banana and yogurt make this smoothie incredible creamy but the pumpkin gives it an extra creaminess. The pumpkin also adds a little bit of sweetness to the smoothie but most importantly it adds the delicious pumpkin flavor.

Is Pumpkin Puree Healthy?

Yes, pumpkin puree is very healthy. Especially when made at home. I have a recent post all about how to make your own pumpkin puree and how to roast a pumpkin. You can check that out here.

Pumpkin puree has vitamin A, C, and K. It is also high in Potassium and fiber. Pumpkin can help keep you fuller, improve appearance of skin, support a healthy immune system and aid in digestion. Pumpkin even supports a healthy heart and blood pressure. What we eat matters people!

Yogurt

Along with pumpkin, yogurt also has many benefits. If you want to learn how to make your own yogurt for much cheaper than store bought, I wrote about that here.

The taste alone is really delicious in this smoothie. While yogurt is typically pretty tart or sour on its own, I love to put it is a smoothie. The tart taste mixed with sweet fruits is almost like candy to me.

Yogurt is also full of healthy bacteria and probiotics to aid in gut health and digestion. Regular consumption of probiotics creates a healthy gut which creates a domino effect for the rest of our health. A healthy gut supports our immune system, risk of disease and even aides in allergies and intolerances.

What Fruit Mixes Well With Pumpkin?

• Banana
• Apple
• Orange

I like to add frozen banana to most smoothies and it does well in with pumpkin in this smoothie as well. You could also add apple in place of banana for an extra fall kick.

Orange adds a citrus twist to a traditional pumpkin dish. While it may sound a bit different, give it a try!

Other Add-Ins and Substitutions

You could also substitute the pumpkin for any fall squash. We have done this with acorn squash and butternut squash. You do not notice much of a taste difference and it is just as healthy!

If you want a more delectable smoothie, add in some vanilla or nut butter. This adds extra flavor and creaminess that resembles a dessert more. You could also add in other fruits like apple or veggies like spinach or kale for a healthier addition.

Can You Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes! Sometimes I will make up a big batch of this smoothie and leave it in the fridge overnight for the next morning. It is not as creamy or icy but it still delicious.

To do this, just make the smoothie up as listed below. Put in a mason jar in the fridge. I would suggest drinking within 24 hours. I also would suggest using the frozen pumpkin and banana for this.

You could also prep these smoothies ahead of time in a jar and freeze. Then in the morning, just dump it into the blender and blend away!

Tips

• Use frozen banana and pumpkin. You can definitely make this without these ingredients being frozen but the smoothie will be thinner. Frozen pumpkin and banana gives a really nice creaminess to the smoothie and gets it ice cold.
• Add more banana or maple syrup if you like things a little sweeter.
• Switch yogurt out for milk kefir if you keep it on hand or if you have issues digesting diary. Kefir is higher in probiotics and is better for those with a dairy intolerance.
• Switch things up by adding in veggies or any supplements you take regularly. We like to add greens and collagen.

Tools You May Need

Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Blender

Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie Ingredients

2 cups yogurt
1 cup pumpkin
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
banana
1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

How To Make A Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie

Add ingredients to blender.
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy!

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