Are you tired of the same old breakfast? Tired of breakfasts full of sodium and cholesterol? Well, i’m not, but I’d be lying if I said that a smoothie bowl wasn’t one of my very favorite things to make. They’re tasty, full of nutrients, and down-right beautiful. Although its easy to make them unhealthy, as it is with anything, the potential for a smoothie bowl to be your healthiest meal of the day is astounding. These delightful meals can be tailored for any kind of diet, whether you are vegan, paleo, or gluten free! Below i’ve highlighted some tips and tricks to be sure you are getting the most out of your meal. Behold: The smoothie bowl, deconstructed.
- Base: Many think that smoothies are made with sugary, unhealthy fruit juices, and while sometimes they are, (think Jamba Juice) there are so many excellent alternatives. Try almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, kefir, or coconut yogurt! It is always best to use brands with no added sugar or sugar alcohols.
- Fruit: You want to be careful here! The recommended amount of daily sugar intake is no more than 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men, 15 of which should be coming from whole fruit! If you’re using two types of fruit in your smoothie, make sure one of them is very low sugar. Think berries or avocados! My favorite thing to do is chop and freeze bananas or avocados and use them in smoothies for a nice, thick, creamy consistency.
- Greens: Adding greens to your smoothie bowl is a must if you want to get the most out of it! I tend to go with spinach because the taste never pokes through! You can also try kale, parsley, or swiss chard.
- Protein: For an added boost of protein try a vegan protein powder (be aware of the ingredients and make sure there is no added sugar), a spoonful of nut butter, or collagen protein.
- Vegetables: You would be surprised by how many healthy veggies you can add to your smoothies to ramp up the nutrients. Unless you’re using something fresh like a cucumber or celery, it’s a good idea to boil your veggies and cool them first! I bet you never thought of adding cauliflower to a smoothie! Well, its one of my favorite ways to make these liquid meals healthier. You can’t taste it at all, but believe me, it’s there! You can also try beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots!
- Extras: There are so many ways to add even more flavor and health to your smoothie bowl. Some of my favorites include; ginger, cinnamon, matcha, turmeric, manuka honey, and herbs like ashwagandha or pau d’arco (helps to kill candida!).
- Toppings: Finally, the component that makes your bowl come together and makes it beautiful. There are so many different routes to take here! Some of my favorites are; chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, hemp seeds, frozen berries, sliced bananas, cinnamon, dark chocolate, shredded coconut, and nut butter.
There you have it! My simple guide to the perfect smoothie bowl. There are truly unlimited combinations! Get creative, have fun, and make sure you don’t over do it! A smoothie bowl has so much potential to heal you if you do it right. Be well and enjoy. Until next time!
~ The Persian Pepita
The Persian Pepita 