By Kristen Jakobitz
Have you tried one of those smoothie bowls yet? They are all the rage this summer! And it’s no wonder because they can be whipped up in seconds using whatever ingredients you have on hand – the flavor combinations are endless! Frozen fruit, vegetables, greens, nuts, seeds, spices, all of it is fair game, which means you can maximize the nutritional value and superfood goodness in every delicious spoonful.
So how exactly is a smoothie bowl different from a traditional smoothie you ask? First of all, smoothie bowls have a thick, ice-cream like texture so you eat them with a spoon, instead of sipping them through a straw like the traditional kind. The thickness comes from using more frozen fruit and less liquid ingredients in your concoction. The thicker the smoothie the more filling it becomes, which works to keep hunger at bay for a longer period of time during your busy day. Smoothie bowls also encourage you to slow down and eat more mindfully because you can’t slurp them down in one minute while you’re on the go (at least not without experiencing brain freeze J).
Let’s talk about health benefits for a second. Enjoying a smoothie bowl for breakfast is a quick and easy way to optimize your health with delicious whole food nutrition. Take for instance this Blueberry-Avocado Smoothie Bowl which includes a powerhouse of superfoods that help promote a glowing complexion. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants along with vitamins A and C, key elements in healthy collagen synthesis. Avocado is loaded with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (the healthy kind!) to keep skin dewy and soft, along with lutein which helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and inflammatory stress. Lemon juice provides an abundant source of vitamin C, which has been shown to help neutralize free radicals that can damage skin cells. And ground flaxseed, a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids that help alleviate skin conditions like acne, allergies, and sun sensitivity. In addition, the fatty acids work to rejuvenate the skin by regenerating skin tone to make it appear more smooth, supple, and glowing.
As you can see, there are many health benefits to be gained by experimenting with smoothie bowls.
Blueberry-Avocado Smoothie Bowl
Makes 2 servings. Gluten free, dairy free, paleo; vegetarian & vegan friendly.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups frozen blueberries (organic, if possible)
¾ cup almond milk
½ ripe avocado
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon stevia powder
½ cup ice cubes
Topping Ideas:
Fresh blueberries
Fresh mango slices
Shredded coconut flakes
Fill a high-powered blender (capable of chopping ice) with liquid ingredients first, followed by frozen fruit and avocado, and finish with the ice.
Blend on high speed until smooth, pausing to scrape the sides with a spatula as needed.
Scoop evenly into two bowls and artfully decorate with topping suggestions.
Per bowl (without toppings): 120 cal, 3.8 g fat (1g mono, 1.8g poly, 0.2g sat), 0mg chol, 78mg sodium, 200mg potassium, 18g carbs (6.8g fiber, 14.2g sugar), 1.5g protein.
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Kristen Jakobitz is a virtual Integrative Nutrition Health Coach specializing in weight management, digestive health, and diabetes prevention methods. http://kristenjakobitz.com/contact