Swap Your Straw for a Spoon

You’ve probably seen them popping up on Pinterest or maybe even offered at a health food restaurant near you. Smoothie bowls are all the rage right now and for good reason. This simple spin on the traditional cup-and-straw presentation offers the same nutrients as its drinkable counterpart—such as calcium, potassium and vitamin D—just served in a bowl and a little less blended to provide a thicker, spoonable consistency. Plus, smoothie bowls typically come with toppings. Think of them as a parfait mixed with a smoothie—what’s not to love?

You can easily make your own smoothie bowl at home using your favorite drinkable recipe. Most posts I’ve read simply suggest adding a frozen banana or adjusting the liquid ratio until you get your preferred consistency. Try this Blues Buster Blueberry Peach Smoothie served in a bowl and topped with low-fat granola, fresh blueberries, diced peaches and a dash of cinnamon. You’ll get the flavor of a cobbler but with actual health benefits.

Blues Buster Blueberry Peach Smoothie

Yield: 3 (8-ounce) servings (24 ounces)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
• 3/4 cup frozen peaches
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup ice cubes

Directions: 

Combine yogurt, fruit, milk, honey and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy.

In the mood for something tropical? Dip your spoon into this into this Banana Strawberry Licuado. It’s made with lactose-free milk, so it’s a great option if you have lactose intolerance. Top your bowl off with some fresh strawberries, banana slices, coconut and lime zest and you’ll be instantly transported to the tropics!

Laura Marbury, MS, RD, LD