In this fast-paced world, we hardly have the time and the energy to prepare a nourishing meal.  The answer to your woes can be a nice big Smoothie bowl.  Summertime and smoothies are a match made in heaven.  You’ll find a wide array of tropical fruits in this season and we all want to avoid getting into elaborate meal preparation because of the heat and humidity.

Smoothies can be made in a jiffy and are wholesome & nutritious at the same time.

They are a great way to save your precious time. They are tummy-filing and rich in vitamins and minerals.  A great option for those who cannot consume milkshakes due to lactose intolerance.  You could add coconut milk or almond milk and skip the dairy.  I personally don’t add any sweetener because the fructose present in the fruits makes the smoothie naturally sweet.  I would recommend you first taste the smoothie and if you still need it sweeter you could add some honey or maple syrup to the bowl.

You can add fruits of choice, top it off with healthy nuts and seeds, you can make them with dairy or vegan, you could also add your favourite protein powder to them.   A generous sprinkling of granola will give the smoothie a nice crunchy texture.

Another natural choice for sweetness is pitted Medjul dates. Add one or two of these and let the blender complete the task. How awesome your smoothie will be!

 

Why is a  Smoothie bowl the ultimate fix for your busy mornings?

We all struggle with planning when it comes to healthy meals.  While we know focusing on nutrition is the key to seizing the day, somehow it becomes the last priority more often than not. Time is the biggest factor when it comes to morning rush hours.  Skipping breakfast and heading to work is common for so many working moms.

 

Can a single smoothie bowl fix your nutrition intake?  Ofcourse yes!

This smoothie recipe screams summer – it has luscious Alphonso mango, bananas, berries, and pomegranates packed with antioxidants . The addition of nuts and seeds lends a good crunch to the smoothie making a power-packed & rich with the goodness of Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, calcium,  magnesium, Zinc and so much more.

In addition to the above, adding a scoop of your favourite protein will ensure your daily protein intake in on point.  So why wait let’s check out this simple, nutrition-dense and lip-smacking smoothie recipe.

Mango Smoothie Bowl (Protein Enriched)

345 calories per 100g serving

Ingredients :

• ½ cup frozen mangoes
• ½  cup frozen pineapples
• 1 frozen banana
• 20g oats
• 1 Scoop Protein Powder (Plant-based / Whey)
• 1 cup almond milk

For topping :

• 1 tbsp toasted Walnuts chopped finely
• 1 tbsp Dried Cranberries
• Cubes of Mango
• Slices of Banana
• 1 tsp pomegranate seeds

 

Method :

1. In a blender, add frozen mangoes, frozen pineapples, frozen bananas and milk.
2. Blend everything till it’s smooth in consistency.
3. Pour the smoothie in a bowl and garnish with toppings of choice. Serve cold!

 

Pro tips :

1. You can turn this recipe into a vegan smoothie by replacing milk with almond milk or coconut milk
2. This can be a post workout smoothie by adding a scoop of your favourite powder powder to it.  But you can skip the protein powder if we want to, and instead you may add a multi-seed powder mix for eg. ground pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, muskmelon seeds etc.
3. Instead of milk you can also use yoghurt for a creamier smoothie.
4. In my recipe I have used almond milk you could use dairy it it suits you, in that case do replace pineapple with some other fruit.  Pineapple contains Bromelain (which is an enzyme) and may react with the milk’s Casein protein causing it to curdle.
5. Avoid sour fruits/citrus fruits with milk-based smoothies.