How To Build A Healthy Smoothie Bowl

If you’ve been following me for a while on Instagram you’ll more than likely know how much I love my smoothie bowls!

Smoothie bowls are amazing because they are super easy to make, are nutrient-dense (if made correctly) and they can be really fun! I love making smoothie bowls for my husband, friends and family, they are also great for kids too because you can make them into so many different colours. You can create a tone of different combinations, all of which can boost your body with health-promoting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Why should you make a smoothie bowl from home?

Smoothie bowls have become very popular over recent years, particularly acai bowls. They are on so many café and juice bar menu’s now. The acai berry has a tone of antioxidants, and tastes delicious when blended into a smoothie bowl, but do be mindful when ordering one from a café or juice bar because often they are loaded with sugar, with some store-bought bowls containing 50+ grams of sugar in one bowl! Smoothie bowls are also quite expensive for what you get (a lot of sugar, helllooo unstable blood sugar levels and energy crashes). So save your wallet and sugar intake by making your own nutritious smoothie bowl at home.

How to build a healthy smoothie bowl

It’s all about the consistency with smoothie bowls, the base has to be deliciously thick and smooth so you can eat it by the spoonful.

1. For the base – choose a liquid such as: a nut milk, coconut milk, coconut water, water. You’ll need, you’ll need 1/2-1 cup worth.

2. Add in some greens – because I’m all about boosting the diet with leafy greens as they are loaded with vitamin A, C, K, folate, iron, calcium. Add in 1-2 handfuls of spinach or kale.

3. Next, add frozen fruit – berries, banana, mango, pineapple, avocado (the options are endless – but those 4 are my personal favourites). 1/2-1 cup worth.

4. Next, add protein – protein is needed to support stable blood sugar levels. Add in one serving of plant-based protein, whey or collagen powder.

5. Next – blend all ingredients together.  If it’s not thick enough add a handful of ice.

Now onto the toppings

This is the fun part, and where you can get really creative and customize your bowl to make an Instagram worthy presentation. Here are a few of my fav go-to toppings:

• Chia seeds and flaxseeds – high in fibre and omega-3

• Freshly chopped nuts/seeds – I love walnuts, slithered almonds or pumpkin seeds

• Nut or seed butter – because who doesn’t love a nut butter, and anyone who knows me already knows about my obsession with tahini

• Sugar free granola – a sprinkle of sugar free/low-sugar granola adds a delicious crunch to the bowl (I love topping it with my easy paleo granola or rawnola)

• Fresh fruit – if you only added in ½ cup of fruit to your smoothie bowl enjoy some sliced fruit on top

• Shredded coconut – high in healthy fats and tastes delicious

There you have it! What’s your fave smoothie bowl combo? I’d love for you to share them with me in the comments below. And if you use this guide make sure you hashtag #NBnutrition and tag @nataliebradynutrition on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your amazing creations!