DIY Acai Bowl

STORY BY ERIKA BARENBERG

My first encounter with acai fruit was in 2017 when I first traveled to Brazil. My best friend, a Brazilian native, introduced me to this incredibly delicious acai fruit bowl concept that was very common in their country. Never having tried acai before, I knew I was in for a treat! I was handed a bowl with a thick frozen purple puree topped with fruit, seeds, and coconut. Each bite was bursting with flavor and crunch and had the perfect balance of sweetness. I couldn’t believe a nutrient dense snack could taste this good!

Acai bowls are prepared from frozen puréed acai berries and served as a smoothie in a bowl or glass and topped with fruit, nuts, seeds, or granola. While these ingredients are nutritious on their own, it’s easy to go overboard with your toppings and turn a healthy snack into a high-calorie indulgence. While acai bowls are nutrient dense, they are still higher in sugar due to all of the fruit so depending on your individual needs, they can be part of a balanced diet but should not be relied upon for weight loss.

For a local acai bowl, check out Clean Juice in Classen Curve!

@cleanjuiceclassencurve

“Found on palm trees in the Brazilian rainforests, acaí berries are a dark purple fruit that is packed with antioxidants. Studies suggest that acai berries could be linked to lower cholesterol levels, better brain function, and decreased colon cancer cell growth due to this antioxidant content.”

STEP 1: Blend. Blend together the frozen acai packet, frozen fruit, milk of choice, and sweetener if using until smooth and thick.

STEP 2: Add toppings. Transfer the acai berry mixture into a bowl and add desired toppings.

Ingredients:

• 1 Acai puree packet

• ½ cup almond milk

• ½ cup frozen berry blend

• ½ cup strawberries

• ½ cup blueberries

Toppings:

• 1 tsp Chia seeds

• 1/4 cup protein granola

• 1 tsp nut butter

• 1/2 cup strawberries

• 1/2 cup blueberries

You can purchase frozen acai packets at local grocery stores such as Akins or you can substitute with acai powder.

You can really top your smoothie bowl with just about anything you want. Keep in mind that the more toppings you add, the higher in calories the bowl will be.

• Fresh fruit: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, and sliced bananas are popular toppings.

• Granola: Make your own or use your favorite store-bought granola.

• Nut butters: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or even chopped nuts.

• Fun extras: Cacao nibs, coconut flakes, butterscotch chips, vanilla chips or goji berries.

• Seeds: Chia seeds, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, etc.

• Sweetener: Honey or agave.