LOW-CALORIE SUMMER SMOOTHIE BOWL HEALTHY RECIPES — Kate Lyman Nutrition (2024)

Helping you change both your body and your mindset through nutrition.

Are smoothie bowls good for you? They seem “healthy”, but are they a good food to add to your day or a fake-healthy fad? It depends! This week, we’re sharing some refreshing smoothie bowl recipes, and, more importantly, explaining why smoothie bowls are neither good nor bad, and may be helpful in supporting you and your goals.

It is a major goal of ours to help people look past the idea that there are “good” and “bad” foods and focus on building general awareness about what is in the foods we choose to eat. Just because a food is labeled as “healthy” doesn’t mean we can eat it in unlimited quantities, and just because a food is high in calories doesn’t automatically make it bad.

Just because an internet article told you that smoothie bowls are the thing right now and are the perfect way to weight loss doesn’t mean that all smoothie bowls are created equal. To reap the benefits of the foods you eat, you need to know your goals and make sure your food choices are helping you reach those goals. The main reason for tracking your macros is to build awareness of the makeup of the foods you’re eating, not to obsess over calories.

We think smoothie bowls can be a great option for:

At the same time, a smoothie bowl can also be incredibly high in calories when packed with calorie-dense ingredients and toppings. There is nothing wrong with a high-calorie meal, but if you’re consistently eating a high-calorie smoothie bowl because it is labeled as “healthy,” but feeling stagnant in your fat loss goals, this could be a contributing factor. (Example: this smoothie bowl has over 100 grams of carbs with only 8 grams of protein so may not be the most helpful in meeting your nutritional needs)

We’re sharing a few macro-friendly smoothie bowl recipes that are high in protein and will help you meet your macro goals while still keeping you full and satisfied!

PB&J SMOOTHIE BOWL

NUTRITION INFORMATION || 30P/5F/42.5C || 337 calories

WHAT YOU NEED:

150g Raspberry nonfat Greek yogurt (I used 1 Kroger brand single serve)

150g frozen mixed berries (blueberries & strawberries)

100g unsweetened vanilla almond milk

10g collagen peptides

10g peanut butter powder

Top with:

20g Kind peanut butter granola clusters

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend on low speed, slowly increasing speed every 10 seconds for a minute or until smooth.

  2. Pour blended mixture into a bowl, top with granola and enjoy!

You can find this recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching: KLN Recipe: PBandJ Smoothie Bowl.

LOW-CALORIE SUMMER SMOOTHIE BOWL HEALTHY RECIPES — Kate Lyman Nutrition (2)

TROPICAL SUNRISE SMOOTHIE BOWL

NUTRITION INFORMATION || 27P/9F/48C || 370 calories

WHAT YOU NEED:

150g Coconut nonfat Greek yogurt (I used 1 YQ by Yoplait single serve)

75g frozen mango100gfrozen pineapple

100g unsweetened coconut milk

10g collagen peptides

½ tfresh ginger root, minced

Top with:

50gFresh mango, cubed

75g Fresh kiwi, sliced

20g Unsweetened toasted coconut

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Toast coconut in a small skillet over low heat, using a spatula to move around the pan continuously. Remove from heat once the coconut begins to brown.

  2. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend on low speed, slowly increasing speed every 10 seconds for a minute or until smooth.

  3. Pour blended mixture into a bowl, top with sliced kiwi, fresh mango and toasted coconut and enjoy!

You can find this recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching: KLN Recipe: Tropical Sunrise Smoothie Bowl.

LOW-CALORIE SUMMER SMOOTHIE BOWL HEALTHY RECIPES — Kate Lyman Nutrition (3)

WATERMELON CHIA SMOOTHIE BOWL

NUTRITION INFORMATION || 27P/5F/38C || 292 calories

WHAT YOU NEED:

150g Vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt (I used 1 Kroger brand single serve)

150g frozen watermelon

100gfrozen strawberries

100g unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Top with:

2 chopped mint leaves

8gchia seeds

50gfresh blueberries

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend on low speed, slowly increasing speed every 10 seconds for a minute or until smooth.

  2. Pour blended mixture into a bowl, top with chopped mint, chia seeds and fresh blueberries and enjoy!


You can find this recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching: KLN Recipe: Watermelon Chia Smoothie Bowl.

LOW-CALORIE SUMMER SMOOTHIE BOWL HEALTHY RECIPES — Kate Lyman Nutrition (4)

PREP TIP || The smoothie bowls are best enjoyed immediately upon making, but you can make them ahead of time if you have a busy morning. Prepare according to the recipe and store in the fridge. Put in the freezer an hour before you plan to eat it and then let it sit out for five minutes. Add toppings and enjoy!

Love these and looking for more easy, macro-friendly recipes? Check out the posts below and be sure to check out our free mini-cookbooks here or grab the full version in The Shop!

Macro-friendly Smoothie Recipes

Meal Prep Breakfast Recipes

Recipes + Meal Prep

Diana Dewan

June 2020, Smoothie Bowl, recipes, Macro-Friendly Recipe

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LOW-CALORIE SUMMER SMOOTHIE BOWL HEALTHY RECIPES — Kate Lyman Nutrition (2024)

FAQs

Are homemade smoothie bowls good for weight loss? ›

Are smoothie bowls good for weight loss? Smoothie bowls can be a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein, but they can quickly turn into a high-calorie sugar bomb if you're not careful.

Are smoothie bowls low calorie? ›

Bigger portions and more ingredient options can add up to a bowl full of calorie overload. Since many smoothie-bowl recipes call for three or four pieces of fruit plus generous amounts of liquid and toppings, you're dealing with a high volume of sugar and calories — sometimes 1,000 calories or more!

What are at least 4 health benefits of consuming smoothie bowls? ›

As smoothie bowls are rich in fibre and natural sugars, it allows better digestion, improves satiety, and allows better absorption of all nutrients. It also improves bowel movements, prevents infections, boosts immunity as well as maintains a healthy heart and improves the quality of life.

How many calories in a homemade smoothie bowl? ›

Consider this: If you make a smoothie bowl with a medium-sized banana, one cup of strawberries, one cup of blueberries, 1.7 ounces of oats, and 200ml of 2-percent milk, you'll be eating around 460 calories, along with 1.4 ounces of sugar.

Is acai berry good for weight loss? ›

Can Acai Berries Boost Weight Loss? Marketers' claims that acai products promote rapid weight loss are unproven. In fact, early studies show that acai has no effect on weight at all.

Can you eat acai every day? ›

Sounds pretty nutritious, right? Here's the catch. When you add all of the toppings suddenly your bowl of healthy goodness could easily contain over 500 calories and 40-90 grams of sugar. This is why consuming acai bowls should be an occasional indulgence not part of your everyday diet.

Is a smoothie bowl enough for a meal? ›

Firstly, let's make it known that a smoothie bowl IS a whole meal - not just a drink to have alongside a meal. Just like a lot of other meals, smoothie bowls can be amazingly nutritious, or nutritionally lacking - it really depends on the ingredients used!

What are 5 health benefits of smoothie bowls? ›

What are the Benefits of a Smoothie Bowl?
  • Wider Variety of Ingredients.
  • Fibrous integrity of the ingredients, even blending breaks down a lot of the fiber in fruits and veggies.
  • It keeps the body guessing and fills us up with tons of different good, yummy things.

What is a Superfood smoothie bowl called? ›

"In simple terms, an acai bowl is a very thick smoothie with toppings that you eat with a spoon," says Julie Harrington, RD, chef and co-author of The Healing Soup Cookbook.

What happens if I drink smoothies every day? ›

Smoothies rich in fiber and protein keep you full longer, while those made with fruits and vegetables increase your daily vegetable servings. As long as you are drinking smoothies made from a variety of fruits and vegetables and low in refined sugar, there would be no problem with consuming smoothies every day.

What is the difference between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl? ›

Smoothie bowls are generally more nutrient dense compared to smoothies, and are thick enough to eat with a spoon rather than consumed through a straw. Smoothie bowls often incorporate frozen fruits, veggies, juices or milk, ice and even butters like peanut butter or almond butter for added protein.

What to put on top of a smoothie bowl? ›

Smoothie bowl in hand, ready to take on the day!
  1. Fresh or Frozen Fruit. Sliced bananas, juicy berries, kiwi, pineapple chunks – the possibilities for fruit smoothie bowl toppings are endless. ...
  2. Dried Fruit. ...
  3. Nuts and Seeds. ...
  4. Healthy Grains. ...
  5. Nut Butters. ...
  6. Spices and Herbs. ...
  7. Chocolate and Sweet Treats. ...
  8. Dairy and Dairy Alternatives.
Sep 6, 2023

What makes a smoothie bowl thick? ›

How do you make smoothies thick and creamy?
  1. Choose high-fiber fruit + veg. ...
  2. Slice your fruit + veg. ...
  3. Use less liquid. ...
  4. 5.Add chia seeds or raw oats. ...
  5. Add greek yogurt. ...
  6. Add avocados. ...
  7. Blend protein powder or greens first. ...
  8. 9.Freeze some of the liquid.

Is it OK to have a smoothie bowl for breakfast? ›

Breakfast smoothie bowls are a perfectly nutritious meal to start the day off right. Choosing the right ingredients to put in a smoothie bowl involves selecting the right mix of protein, vitamins and minerals, healthy carbohydrates and other key nutrients.

Are home made smoothie bowls healthy? ›

You betcha. Smoothie bowls are every bit as healthy as regular smoothies. They're loaded with fruit, and as long as you keep the toppings healthy, too, they're maybe even more healthy than old-fashioned, through-a-straw smoothies because they're delivering even more fiber and good fat and protein.

Are homemade smoothie bowls healthy? ›

Smoothies and bowls that provide a balanced nutrient profile ARE a healthy choice. They will keep you fuller for longer, provide you with a variety of vitamins and minerals to nourish your cells, and maintain steady blood sugar levels to keep you functioning at your very best!

Are smoothie bowls a good meal replacement? ›

Both smoothie bowls and smoothies can be enjoyed as snack or meal replacements, making them an excellent option for on-the-go eaters who want to stay healthy and energized throughout the day.

Is a fruit bowl good for weight loss? ›

Fruit is also generally low in calories and high in fiber, which may help you lose weight. Eating fruit is linked to a lower body weight and a lower risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart disease ( 1 , 2 ).

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