So spring has officially sprung here in New York! Or at least I hope that’s what these 60 degree days we’ve been having recently means.
Either way, all this sunny weather calls for a little mix up of the menu for me!
Lately my weekends have been all about brunch foods; omelettes, croissants, French toast, and pancakes have been on my plate pretty frequently. Today I felt like making something that required a little less preparation and time in the kitchen.
This superfood smoothie bowl was the perfect choice. It’s light, refreshing, super easy to make, and comes together in about 10 minutes.
Did I mention it’s super nutritious?
A few of the superstar ingredients in this smoothie bowl:
- Spinach: a great source of vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, magnesium, and iron
- Mangoes: full of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and folate
- Avocado: loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, plus has more potassium than a banana
- Flax seeds and Chia seeds: contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber to keep you feeling full
- Strawberries: contain tons of vitamin C and manganese
- Banana: high in potassium, vitamin B6, and soluble fiber for regularity
- Cinnamon: alleviates inflammation and could help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Each serving of this tasty smoothie bowl boasts almost 15 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. And all for under 300 calories!
Plus, this recipe pairs iron-rich foods like spinach with several foods high in vitamin C (like strawberries and mangoes) to help improve iron absorption. That’s great news for vegetarians and vegans, as plant-based non-heme sources of iron aren’t absorbed as well as the heme iron found in meat and seafood.
Besides being incredibly easy and absolutely delicious, smoothie bowls are a great way to squeeze in a few extra servings of fruits and veggies with minimal effort required. If you’re pressed for time and struggling to make time for much beyond a granola bar or quick bowl of oatmeal in the morning, smoothie bowls may be the perfect solution for you.
In my opinion, smoothie bowls are also a little more fun than just drinking a regular smoothie. I mean, I know it’s basically the same as a green smoothie but you get to eat it with a spoon so it’s totally different…right? 😉
You can also customize this recipe to include whatever ingredients you have on hand. I like to use half of an avocado and a frozen banana to add some creaminess, but you can substitute yogurt or even frozen berries for the same effect.
And as for toppings, I like to add more fruit and chia seeds for a bit more sweetness, but cacao nibs, granola, or even almonds would bring a yummy crunch here as well. Enjoy!
Prep Time | 10 minutes |
Servings |
servings
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- 1 mango
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 banana, frozen
- 1 cup spinach
- 3 strawberries
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Ingredients
Optional Toppings
|
|
- Place all ingredients into blender and pulse 15-20 seconds, until a smooth consistency is reached.
- Pour into a bowl, sprinkle your favorite toppings on, and enjoy!
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