The weather is FINALLY starting to turn warm which means one thing...cold foods are actually something I want to consume! And while eating a bowl of ice cream every night is tempting, I'm not sure my waist-line would like it. That's one reason why I created this recipe: it's healthy and satisfies my sweet tooth. Win-win situation!
If you've been on social media or Pinterest recently, you've probably seen friends posting about super food bowls. What's the hype about these smoothie bowls anyways? Keep reading!
Smoothie Bowl Health Boosting Benefits Smoothie bowls are nutrient dense. A food that's considered nutrient dense compares the calorie to nutrient ratio: they have a low amount of calories and a high amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals packed into the food. Consuming nutrient dense foods keep our bodies healthy, make us feel our best and provide us with all the important nutrients we need to thrive.
Examples of nutrient dense foods:
Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries)
Spinach
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Non fat milk
Avacado
Kale
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
How do I make a health boosting bowl?
To make a smoothie bowl packed full of nutrition, simply combine any of the foods listed above in a blender and add a non-fat liquid of your choice (almond milk, milk, green tea, etc...). You can also add in extra goodies, such as chia seeds or flax seeds. These help as a thickener to your smoothie bowl.
Here's some of the health benefits of the foods used in the smoothie bowl recipe listed below:
-Blueberries: This little berry has some of the highest health benefits out there. Blueberries are a great source of fiber and vitamins. They help boost the immune system, help with brain function and aide with inflammation.
-Flax Seeds: These are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart. They also contain fiber, which keeps things moving in the GI tract. The body is unable to absorb whole flax seeds, so they must be ground up for any nutritional benefits.
-Cinnamon: This has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. In addition, studies show cinnamon may aide in preventing the growth of some tumors.
Health Boosting Smoothie Bowl
Servings=1
Time=10 minutes
Difficulty = Easy
Ingredients
3/4 cup frozen mixed berries
3/4 cup light vanilla almond milk
1 banana
1 Tbsp. flax seed
1 tsp. cinnamon
Toppings as desired (banana, blueberries, raspberries, coconut, granola)
Directions
Combine frozen berries, almond milk, banana and flax seed in blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour into bowl.
Top with fruit, granola or coconut toppings as desired. Enjoy!
