Four Smoothie Bowls to Bookmark ASAP
Created in Partnership with Atkins
Guys, it’s like Pinterest threw up all over the site today.
Lol. Like, actually… But you’re gonna want to pin the hell outta this post!
Nothing says summer quite like a deliciously cold, creamy smoothie bowl — bonus points for the occasional nutty, seedy crunch. They’re simple, satisfying, nutrient-packed and — best of all — easy to prep in bulk.
Read on for some bookmark-worthy recipes and a simple secret to meal prepping them.
Quick backstory
Last month, I took a diet- and nutrition-related poll on Instagram to help narrow the content around my ongoing partnership with Atkins. It helped me understand your food frustrations and gave me a much better understanding of the health and wellness topics you guys want me to write about.
Here’s what I found out:
(1) We all suck at meal prepping consistently; (2) Most quick-and-healthy homemade lunches are boring or seriously limiting; and (3) Recipes must be accessible, affordable and quick to make (in advance and — ideally — in bulk) for us to even bother.
Ya’ll should see my Uber Eats summary… Yiiiikes!
(You can see the other 60+ discussion topics here.)
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From that, I give you today’s post: Four simple smoothie bowls — quick, easy, Insta-worthy, etc… And below, you’ll find recipes for each, suggested toppers, how to make them and how to meal prep them.
Of the four, two I created from recipes in the “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less,” lifestyle book that I’ve blogged about. The other two are my own that I’ve modified to be more Atkins-friendly.
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Before you snag these recipes and hit the grocery store, though, here’s a few things to keep in mind to keep your smoothie bowls Atkins-friendly — meaning low sugar, low carb:
- Try to avoid using banana as a base, as these are high in carbohydrates that convert to sugar when digested – In “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less,” Atkins explains the “Hidden Sugar Effect” — foods that you think are healthy that actually turn into sugar when digested.
- Using full-fat Greek yogurt in your recipe will ensure you’re able to achieve a thick, creamy texture. Plus, low-fat Greek yogurt has the same effect on your body as consuming 3.3 teaspoons of sugar, which is why I’d suggest using the full-fat version
- The best part about these mouth-watering smoothie bowls is — duh — the toppings. For a nutrient-rich finish, you can add anything from unsweetened coconut flakes or chia seeds to a tablespoon of nuts. A drizzle of almond butter is always a good idea, too.
- That being said, keep in mind that each of these smoothie bowls is almost entirely fruit-based, so topping yours off with a few colorful pieces isn’t necessary since they’ll already taste naturally sweet. Just make sure you watch your portions! (Toppings aren’t covered in the book, so these are just a few of my suggestions.)
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Okay, enough. Let’s get to it.
Here’s how to make (or meal prep) my four favorite smoothie bowls:
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1. Avocado Kale Berry Smoothie Bowl
- 1/3 cup plain protein powder
- 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup water
- ½ ripe avocado
- 1 cup kale leaves
- 1 teaspoon stevia
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon stevia
- ½ cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries or blackberries)
- 2 tablespoons almonds or walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Toppings:
- Almonds, walnut halves, chia seeds
- Drizzle of almond or peanut butter
- Nuts, seeds and greens that make for a very energizing trio.
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2. Carrot Spice Smoothie Bowl
- 1/3 cup plain protein powder
- 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup water
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup almond or peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ cup fresh or frozen sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut (shredded or flaked)
Toppings:
- Almonds, walnut halves, chia seeds
- Drizzle of almond or peanut butter
… If you’re passing on this because of the veggie base, don’t. I was a skeptic toward this recipe at first too. Carrot anything just makes me think of a salad, and if I’m going the smoothie bowl route, I want something sweet or — well, non-veggie tasting. You know?
Atkins Carrot Spice Smoothie Bowl may be the exception to the rule.
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3. My Peanut Butter Chocolate Bowl
- Huge scoop of full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 avocado
- 2 heaping tablespoons almond or peanut butter
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cacao
Toppings:
- Blueberries or raspberries
- Pinch of coconut flakes
- Chopped almonds or walnuts
- Drizzle of Peanut butter
… I mean, duh. Tastes like dessert but packs a notoriously nutritious punch – win!
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4. My Basic Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl
- Huge scoop of full-fat Greek yogurt
- Handful of mixed berries (frozen or fresh)
- Heaping tablespoon of almond butter
- Generous splash of almond milk
Toppings
- Whatever seeds or nuts I have on-hand that day
… Last but not least, your super basic mixed berry smoothie bowl — and yes, those are my ingredients/measurements. This is one I’ve always been able to eyeball — smoothie bowls are easier the more you make them.
This one’s been a favorite to make on warm-weathered weekends for as long as I’ve had a blender. I modified this, but I modified my “recipe” a bit to make it Atkins-friendly and didn’t use a banana as the base — more Greek yogurt instead.
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How to Meal Prep Smoothie Bowls in Advance:
Lastly, I wanted to show you how easy it is to make these in bulk and meal prep for the week ahead – because let’s be honest, while a smoothie bowl is fun to make and tasty to eat, most mornings a girl just doesn’t have the time.
I’d suggest making them in bulk and storing them in airtight mini mason jars. (The cutest ever, aren’t they?) That way, you can just grab them from the freezer on your way out the door.
Another option is to freeze your ingredients together in advance and then blend them in the morning. This is especially helpful if you like a little variety!
Bon appetit, babes!
If you give any of these smoothie bowls a try over the next few weeks, post ’em or share them to your IG Stories and tag Atkins and I (@halliekwilson) so we can see them. I’ll be re-posting them!
Can’t wait to see your creations.
And PS: Anyone else suddenly starving?!
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Iron & Honey Photography
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Atkins. The opinions and text are all mine.
