Reboot Your Day with Smoothie Bowls
You may or may not have heard of the newest craze that is re-shaping breakfast everywhere … smoothie bowls! Similar to the smoothies you drink, a smoothie bowl is a nutrient-rich breakfast or snack option that allows you to incorporate a variety of nutrient-dense foods that is as tasty as it looks. Each smoothie bowl can be a work of art where you get to mix and match ingredients from all your favorite food groups. It makes eating your 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day seem easier to achieve when you start your morning off right.
So, really … what is it?
Smoothie bowls have a thicker consistency than your average smoothie. Start off by blending a low-fat yogurt, ice and your favorite blend of unsweetened frozen or fresh fruit. To add whole grains to your day, add a few tablespoons of plain rolled oats for an even thicker consistency. If you want a creamier base, try peeling, dicing, freezing and blending bananas or avocados to your smoothie bowl base.
If you are in need of a turbo-boost to jump start your day, dark leafy greens, like spinach, make a great addition without affecting the taste. To finish, why not add a dash of cocoa powder, agave, vanilla extract or cinnamon for even more flavor. Once you have the base perfected, pour into a bowl then layer with slices of your favorite fresh fruit. You can finish the smoothie bowl by experimenting with fun toppings like chia seeds, flax seeds, flaked coconut or chopped nuts.
Can something so delicious really be that healthy?
Let’s take a look at the ingredients. Low-fat dairy or even-dairy alternatives provide the calcium we need for proper bone health and may even help maintain a healthy weight. Frozen fruits contain just as much nutrition as fresh produce, and you can skip the extra calories and get the unsweetened variety. The oats provide a boost of fiber, iron, and magnesium while the avocado supplies plant-based omega-3 fats.
If you normally stray away from dark leafy greens, smoothie bowls are a great way to sneak in vitamins A and K which are minerals that are needed for essential body processes. And when you top your smoothie bowl off with the freshest in-season produce and toss in some seeds or nuts for added protein, you have a nutritionally balanced meal. What else could you ask for in a breakfast?
Recipe
Strawberry Granola Smoothie Bowl (Schnucks FitPins)
Smoothie Bowl Ingredients
- 14 medium sized strawberries, fresh
- 1 frozen banana, broken into pieces
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup granola
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Honey, to taste
Toppings: Sliced fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries and granola
Instructions
- Combine all smoothie ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a bowl and top with fresh berries and granola.
