What is a smoothie bowl? (5 minute recipe)

Smoothie bowls are a smoothie but, in a bowl.

They are thicker than your usual smoothie and taste like a delightful dessert. Smoothie bowls are one of my go-to breakfasts and snacks. For me, there is something so much more satisfying about eating my smoothie in a bowl.

With a smoothie bowl, you can create amazing combinations of flavours and then top it with your favourite fruits and crunchy things like cereal and nuts. With their rich and creamy consistency, even the most reluctant healthy eater will enjoy this nutritional snack.

The make up a smoothie bowl allows it to be more satisfying than a regular smoothie because you can’t knock it back within seconds, and you can savour the taste as a wholesome meal.

They can be a quick and easy experience- you can even make them without a blender! No cleaning a blender( YEAH!)

So, are smoothie bowls healthy?

Yes, they are packed with fibre, protein, fats (the good ones), carbohydrates and greens. So you can start your day the right way and fuel with the most amazing nutrients. A word of warning with your smoothie bowl, be careful not to sugar bomb it!

Sugar Bombing

When we are trying to be healthy, it is easy to think that putting tons of fruit in our smoothie bowls will do us a world of good. But while you need some naturally occurring sugar in your diet (as opposed to the dreaded ‘added sugar’, which is in EVERYTHING), fruit bombing yourself could make you feel tired. This is because it is hard for our bodies to break down the fructose in fruit (when we sugar bomb our smoothie bowls), which, unmetabolised, stays in your system and slows it down, making you feel lethargic.

Can smoothie bowls help you lose weight?

If you do not get the formula right it can hinder your weight loss goals.

Whilst they are healthy if you are heavy-handed with the toppings you can hit a 700-calorie meal in one sitting.

If you add too much high Glycemic fruit to your smoothie bowl you can sugar bomb your system and we don’t want that as this is enough to send you into a blood sugar crash where your fighting to get back to a normal balance of your blood sugars.

Make sure to follow my #FUNKY5 smoothie formula when creating your smoothie bowls to help meet your weight loss goals.

I recommend Greens, Protein, 1 piece of fruit, Fats and Fibre in my smoothies and smoothie bowls. You can find out more

How do you thicken a smoothie bowl?

1. Use frozen fruits, I love to use low Glycemic fruits like Berries (Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries)
2. Use the minimum amount of liquid. The better the smoothie bowl the less liquid you will have to use. Start with a little and add as you go.
3. Add chia seeds – Adding chia seeds can instantly thicken your smoothie bowl while also adding extra protein, essential fats, and fibre!! Chia seeds are a natural thickener. After only a few minutes the chia seeds will absorb liquid from the smoothie and the seeds expand creating a ticker texture. Also, great if you do not have a regular bowel movement (I see 9 out of 10 clients that don’t have a bowel movement every single day!!)
4. Blend your greens and protein powder first – I like to add these to the blender first with a little liquid. This helps to avoid the grittiness in your smoothie bowl.

What can I top my smoothie bowl with?

This is the best part, this is where you can add your crunch and tasty creativity.

I like to add the following to my smoothie bowls (I tend to add 3-4 toppings to my smoothie bowls).

• Berries: Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries
• ¼ sliced banana
• 1 tablespoon homemade granola
• 1 teaspoon sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Cacao nibs
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped nuts
• A teaspoon of crunchy peanut butter

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl

The Queen Of Health’s favourite #funky5 smoothie bowl comes together in less than five minutes. This great recipe is the perfect balance to keep you full and it tastes amazing.

Here is how to do it.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Ingredients – Serves 2

• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup dairy-free milk or water
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I like the vegan blends)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• Toppings: sliced fresh strawberries, fresh raspberries, fresh pumpkin seeds, unsweetened shredded coconut, and a drizzle of peanut butter.

No Blender Instructions

No panic if you have no blender or don’t want to add washing of a blender to your morning routine. You can still make a smoothie bowl – quick and easy.

Equipment:

• A glass jar- mason jars work
• A whisk

Ingredients

As above just replace your spinach for Sunwarrior super green powder.

Instructions

1. For this smoothie bowl, you will need fresh fruit or have the fruit thawed. You want to mash your fruit together fist in your glass jar. Then add the other ingredients and whisk till you have a smooth consistency.
2. Divide mixture and add toppings to your smoothie bowl.

Finally, enjoy!

My #funky5 smoothies are a nutritional powerhouse to support your body on busy days, busy workouts and life’s stressful situations. To get the best from your fruit and vegetables and be sure you hit your 10 a day I have designed the #funky5 to reset your body and re-energise those tired cells.