7 Smoothie Bowl Tips & Tricks
I don’t know about you, but I have an obsession with looking at pretty smoothie bowls on Instagram or Pinterest! Something about it just reminds me of being on a tropical vacation instead of being stuck inside during this quarantine. Because of this, I have started not only making, but perfecting my at home smoothie bowls and have put together some tips & tricks for how to make these bowls in a way that they are actually good for you, rather than sugary treats!
Check out this guide on how to make bowls keep you full or give you the energy you need to take on the day!
Pack in those greens
Since switching to a plant based diet, I need to make sure I get in enough iron & magnesium. Because of this, I make sure to sneak in a bit of spinach into almost everything. Adding these greens to the base of my smoothie bowls has been a great way to make sure I am not wasting too much fruit or making my bowls too sugary, and ensuring that I get the vitamins I need.Don’t over do it
I love adding more ingredients to my bowls and when I first started I would always over-do it. If you are not careful, you can end up eating way more than a recommended amount per serving. Just because the food is blended down, doesn’t mean there is less food in the bowl. To combat this, I try to lay out my fruit before putting it in the blender and portion it by how much I would actually eat in one sitting. I like to use 1 small handful of berries, half a banana (use the other half to top off the bowl), & 2 handfuls of greens.Add some protein
I have been feeling so slumpy during quarantine, so to combat this, I try to give myself protein rich means & remind myself to move my body between the meals. I am not a huge fan of protein powders (I personally would just rather stick to whole foods) so I like to add nut butter. Cashew & almond butter are my go-tos for lighter bowls, but I am also a huge sucker for peanut butter when I want a richer, more creamy bowl. Personally, I like to top with cacao nibs if I go for the peanut buttery flavor!
Make it thicc
If you want a smoothie bowl you can actually top (one that is as pretty as the Instagramable ones) you’re going to have to get the consistency down. Make it thicker by using a banana as the base, avoiding water & simply adding a small amount of dairy free milk or yogurt.
Sweeten without sugar
If the greens are overpowering and you want an extra sweet treat, try adding 1 date instead of sugar or agave. Dates are packed with B6, potassium, & iron and won’t cause your blood sugar to spike!
Top with chia
Chia seeds are perfect toppings, especially if you are making a smaller smoothie bowl Chia seeds expand in your tummy, keeping you feeling full for long. Make sure to add these lil goodies at the end because they tend to get stuck to the sides of the blender if you add them in the mix.
2/3 rule of toppings
2/3 of your toppings should be fruit & nuts. The other 1/3 should be granola! My favorite is Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp!
Lastly, put it in a smaller bowl so you don’t over eat and pair with 1 egg or another form of protein to get a well balanced breakfast that leaves you feeling energized and ready for a workout!
