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Home » Recipes » Cactus Banana Smoothie (or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano)

Cactus Banana Smoothie (or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano)

Last Updated November 19, 2020. Originally Posted June 15, 2017 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is a yummy and healthy breakfast option for people watching their weight. Enjoy!
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Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is a diabetic-friendly breakfast idea. Creamy, delicious, and good for you too. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

My dad is a diabetic, and he loves to eat his nopales, or cactus. Not because he’s Mexican but because they are good for regulating blood sugar. Me? I’m about to say something that will make people questions whether I’m a real Mexican or not. I’m not a big nopales fan. For those of you who are confused.. In Mexico, we have a saying: You’re so Mexican that you even have a nopal on your forehead. Sounds weird, I know. Like supersized meals aren’t weird?! Doesn’t matter what I think about nopales. They taste great in this Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano.

Whole Cactus


Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

North of the border, nopales aren’t very well known. At the grocery store by my dad’s house in Mexico, there is even a lady who stands at the “nopal station” and cleans the spikes off the cactus. Here in the US, I am lucky to find them like this, without the spikes and ready to be sliced and cooked. Sometimes, I find them in a bag, diced, ready to hit the pan, but they are more expensive. So, I buy them like this. If you can’t find them where you’re at: BUY ONLINE


Diced Cactus

From here, I slice them and dice them. Warning if this is the first time you’re using nopales: They are a little slimy. Ground cinnamon also goes into this diabetic-friendly licuado (or smoothie). Cinnamon is excellent for regulating blood sugar. People will tell you that bananas are not good for diabetics. That’s an old myth that needs to die! Under ripened bananas actually help blood sugar. FYI: One small, ripe banana has always been allowed in the diabetic diet. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend away.

Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is a diabetic-friendly breakfast idea. Creamy, delicious, and good for you too. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

The best way to get me to eat nopales is in a licuado, or smoothie. This Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is creamy and delicious! It’s a different and yummy way to use nopales. Plus, you can’t really taste the nopal. I will occasionally make salads with nopales or scramble them with eggs. Can’t have anyone questioning whether I’m Mexican or not. 🙂

Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is a diabetic-friendly breakfast idea. Creamy, delicious, and good for you too. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano

Cactus Banana Smoothie, or Licuado de Nopal con Plátano, is a yummy and healthy breakfast option for people watching their weight. Enjoy!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 193kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 cactus pad diced
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup non-fat milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2-3 drops Stevia

Instructions

  • Put everything in the blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Enjoy.

Notes

 Ground cinnamon also goes into this diabetic-friendly licuado (or smoothie). Cinnamon is excellent for regulating blood sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 805mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 319mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!


What’s Your Favorite Smoothie?

Filed Under: Breakfast, Healthy, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda

    June 16, 2017 at 8:58 am

    So interesting! I didn’t even know this was a thing! lol I’ll have to try!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      June 29, 2017 at 9:26 am

      Hope you do. It’s delicious!

      Reply
  2. Abby Hewes

    June 16, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    If you haven’t swung by a 99 Cents Only recently, most locations sell nopales already chopped in a bag for .99!

    I can’t wait to try this recipe with the kiddos!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      June 19, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      No kidding! Thanks for the tip.

      Reply
  3. Fabiola

    June 19, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    Love this! I also wrote a post about a cactus smoothie, but it had pineapple in it instead of banana. I love nopales!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      June 20, 2017 at 3:33 pm

      I love cactus smoothies with pineapple. Tastes so good!

      Reply

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