Smoothie bowls are ALL the rage lately! #smoothiebowl has over 127,000 photos on Instagram, and #acaibowl has almost 200,000!
They can be whipped up in just a few minutes, and are refreshing and satisfying on a hot summer morning. I personally love them after a good morning sweat session. You can feel the nourishing power spreading throughout your whole body!
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What is a smoothie bowl?
It’s basically an extra thick smoothie, poured into a bowl and topped with all your favorite mix-ins. You eat it with a spoon, so it’s super satisfying and feels more like a meal than your typical smoothie-in-a-glass.
Making the smoothie:
Simply whip up a thicker version of your favorite smoothie! There are a few ways to easily thicken it up:
- add a bunch of ice cubes
- use frozen fruit and/or bananas
- add a little less liquid than usual
- add protein powder or yogurt to bump up the creaminess
Some of my favorite smoothie combos are:
- frozen strawberries, banana, orange juice, and ice
- frozen mango, frozen blueberries, banana, yogurt, spinach, and milk
- pineapple, kiwi, cucumber, kale, avocado, and water
Topping with superfoods:
My favorite part about smoothie bowls is topping it with a bajillion yummy goodies.
The toppings are where you can really bump up the nutrient power of your smoothie and take things to a whole nother level.
Here are some the best options:
- Fresh sliced fruit or berries: Yes, I know, you already put fruit in your smoothie, but having solid bites of banana, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries etc. really makes the smoothie bowl special. It feels much more like a meal, and the fresh fruit only highlights the original flavors of the smoothie.
- Seeds: Try ground flax seed to add plant-based omega-3’s, hemp hearts for a yummy nutty flavor and vegetarian complete protein, or chia seeds for omega-3’s and extra fiber.
- Nuts: I love crushed walnuts in my smoothie bowls, but macadamia nuts, slivered almonds, or toasted pecans also add a great crunch. Plus, by adding healthy fats to your smoothie, your body will absorb more of the fat-soluble nutrients like carotenes from fruits and veggies and vitamin K from leafy greens.
- Bee pollen: You can purchase local bee pollen from farms in your area. These little tiny yellow, orange, and purple colored balls of pollen and bee secretions are rich in protein, carbs, and antioxidants, and are a great smoothie bowl addition. Bee pollen may have anti-allergenic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Please be aware that allergic reactions to bee pollen ingestion have been reported, so be careful if you are highly sensitive! Also talk to your doctor about possible medication interactions, as an interaction with warfarin has been suspected.
- Matcha: Matcha is powdered green tea leaves. It a beautiful vibrant green color, and adds a powerful hit of polyphenols, other antioxidants, and caffeine. Bonus! Green tea extract may lower blood glucose levels in those who are borderline diabetic. Awesome!
- Goji berries: Goji berries are the new dried-fruit favorite. They’re absolutely delicious, and pack a potent antioxidant punch. Taking goji berries has even been shown to boost the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in chinese men! Again, if you have a history of food allergies, be careful when trying goji berries, as allergic reactions have been reported.
- Maca root powder: Maca is a root vegetable in the cruciferous family, and like all cruciferous veggies, contains glucosinolates, which have powerful anti-cancer effects. Traditional cultures tout its energizing and aphrodisiac effects 😉 Maca can have a strong flavor, so try it out and see what you think!
- Cacao: If you want to add a chocolate punch to your smoothie, sprinkle it with cacao powder or cacao nibs. It’s filled with antioxidants to keep your body running at its prime, and tastes divinely decadent.You get the rich taste of dark chocolate without the added sugar. Yum!
- Muesli: This simple blend of rolled oats and dried fruit is a healthier alternative to granola. It has all the same yummy staple ingredients, but no added sugars. It adds bulk and fiber to your smoothie, keeping you fuller much longer.
If smoothie bowls sound exciting, but you’re pressed for time in the morning, I recommend creating smoothie packs in your freezer. Place 1 banana, some fresh or frozen berries, and greens, like spinach or kale, into a freezer bag. Freeze a few bags worth over the weekend, then just dump the contents in your blender in the morning, add a few ice cubes and some liquid, and you have an instant smoothie with almost no clean up. You can even make them in mason jars or tupperware and take them on the go if you’re short on time. Smoothie bowls are really the best!
Susan McCarty
I love how you've broken it down and really made it easy for even someone like me to do !
Erica Julson
Thanks, Susan! They're really perfect for summer 🙂 Let me know what combinations you try!