We know you’ve seen it – the acai bowl trend is everywhere! However, it can really be difficult to tell which trends are really beneficial while others are all hype. We are here to tell you that the acai bowl trend definitely lives up to the hype! With benefits like increased immunity, weight loss, and increased energy, we think that everyone should be trying acai bowls out! Not only are they healthy but they are also delicious and beautiful making them the perfect breakfast or snack food.
What Is an Acai Bowl Recipe?
An acai bowl is a concept that came from Brazil. It’s totally centered around the acai berry which is grown in the rainforests of Central and South America. The acai berry has long been popular for its extremely high amounts of antioxidants and Vitamin C – making it beneficial for your skin, stomach, immune system and body altogether!
So an acai bowl recipe consists, obviously, of acai. But it’s used in a puree form and is combined with other frozen ingredients to create a cold meal similar to a smoothie. Some other things that you might expect to see in an acai bowl recipe include frozen blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries, frozen bananas, milk, juice, and/or yogurt. However, if you do not eat dairy for whatever reason whether it be veganism or lactose intolerance, you can totally leave out the dairy ingredients in order to make an acai bowl that you can enjoy.
Do Acai Bowls Help With Weight Loss?
At the most basic level, acai bowls can help with weight loss because they can act as a healthier substitute for fattening snacks and meals. However, you need to remember that not all acai bowls are actually healthy. Some acai bowls are made with huge portions and are loaded with extra sugar from added toppings. So while it might be tempting to load up your acai bowl with tons of pretty and delicious toppings – it’s definitely a good idea to practice restraint here and stick with the tried and true basics in order to really promote weight loss. If weight loss is your goal, try eating an acai bowl as a meal with added protein like peanut butter, chia seeds, or nuts so that you can get all the nutrition that you need without any bad things like fat or sugar.
How to Make a Healthy Acai Bowl
Hopefully by now you are sold on acai bowls and the benefits of incorporating them into your diet. Some of the acai bowls that you see on social media may have come from specialty cafes that sell them. However, it’s definitely possible to make your own acai bowl at home that looks and tastes just as good for a fraction of the price. Here’s how:
- Make sure that you are starting off with frozen fruit like frozen blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and bananas.
- Once everything is frozen, add milk and yogurt to a blender along with the berries, acai, and acai puree.
- Blend on low until everything is nice and smooth!
- Pour the smoothie mixture into a bowl and top it with your favorite healthy toppings like…
- Fresh fruit slices (peaches, mangoes, kiwis)
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Granola
- Seeds or nuts
- Honey
While acai bowls can definitely help with weight loss, it’s also not an automatic thing. If you are really looking to lose weight you will still need to practice general weight loss principles like portion control and avoiding unnecessary sugars and fats. That’s why we recommend making your acai bowls at home so that you have complete control and knowledge about what’s in the bowl and how much.