
If you have an Instagram account, you've probably seen them. They're garnished with a tropical rainforest fruit, topped with mounds of shredded coconut, bittersweet cocoa nibs, and glistened with chia seeds, they're also almost always shot from above.
Smoothie and acai bowls have come to play in recent years and their popularity shows no signs of waning. But how healthy are these beautiful breakfasts, really?
“One of the things I like the most about smoothie bowls is that you can really get a lot of macro and micronutrients in a bowl,” shares Zel Garcia a UX-designer and a plant-based cook on the side who discovered her love for the craft on a trip to Bali, Indonesia.
“These bowls are jam-packed with amazing nutrients that support one's overall health and wellness... But it really depends on what ingredients you use, what your goal is, or what you just really feel like making,” she further explains.
Depending on your fitness goal, here are some of Zel's top three easy recipes to starting your very own IG-worthy breakfast smoothie bowl.
Pretty in Pink Smoothie Bowl
Health Target: Increase fiber intake
Ingredients for smoothie:
Raspberries
Soy milk
Manuka Honey
Chia Seeds
Goji Berry
Maqui
Rose Tonic Powder
Ingredients for toppings:
Bananas
Almonds
Coconut Flakes
Coconut Cacao Nibs
Green Goddess Smoothie Bowl
Photo by: zelgarcia (IG)
Health Target: Add more greens
Ingredients for Smoothie
2-3 Frozen Bananas
1 Pineapple slice
1 Mango Cheek
⅛ cup Almond Milk
¼ tsp spirulina
Ingredients for toppings:
Mangoes
Coconut Flakes
Chocolate Granola
Flaxseeds
Almond Flakes
Mango and Pineapple Smoothie Bowl
Photo by: zelgarcia (IG)
Health Target: Boost protein intake
Ingredients for smoothie:
4 frozen bananas
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup pineapples
¼ to ½ cup almond milk
1 scoop turmeric chai protein powder
Ingredients for toppings
Apple Slices
Chai Pea Protein Powder
Turmeric
Bananas
Raspberries
Coconut Flakes
Cacao Nibs
To prepare, simply blend all the ingredients for the smoothie until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and then top it off with all the ingredients for the toppings.
A word of advice from Zel is always going for the good stuff and don't be afraid to experiment.
“Smoothie bowls are not bland, not boring, and are fun to make. You'll be able to express your artistic side with them -- being imaginative, bold and creative with each bowl you make.
Most importantly, always have fun! Always experiment and love your own journey of making it!”
We can't wait to see your #smoothiebowls in the future.