Defining the Term ‘Healthy’ in the context of Acai bowls
A popular question being asked is ‘are acai bowls healthy’?
Given that this is a very broad statement, the short answer is yes…..they can be a healthy option, but this answer all depends on what ingredients are added to the original acai blend.
This article aims to provide a common-sense approach when deciding ‘are acai bowls healthy? We then give you one of our healthiest versions.
Common-Sense Answer to the Question ‘Are Acai Bowls Healthy’?
When looking at the acai bowl nutrition facts, it could be accepted that they are safe to be included as part of a balanced diet that helps to maintain or in some cases improve overall health.
A balanced healthy diet should include fruit, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains and natural sources of protein eaten as close to its natural state as possible….. that means fresh and unprocessed!
A healthy diet should provide the body with essential nutrition, fluids, micronutrients, macronutrients and adequate calories. Source: Wikipedia
You will find more information on where we count the acai bowl calories here.
Are Acai bowls Healthy – Here are the Acai Bowl Nutrition Facts
The acai berry is very high in *antioxidants (antioxidants are essential to prevent damage to human cells caused by free radicals in the body)
- Each bowl will contain the recommended 2 serves and more of fruit a day.
- Acai is a good source of easily digested fibre
- As a fruit acai is unusual as it is actually high in healthy fat and low in sugar
- A serve of Acai is nutrient dense including Omega 3,6 and 9 providing vitamin A, calcium and trace minerals
*Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, thereby leading to chain reactions that may damage the cells of organisms. Antioxidants such as thiols or ascorbic acid terminate these chain reactions. source : Wikipedia
The Truth of Acai Bowl Nutrition Facts can vary According to what goes in the Acai Bowl!
Not all the information floating around have proven acai bowl nutrition facts with many claims about different health benefits not fully substantiated with further studies needed.
If you consume Acai bowls regularly, now that you know some of the Acai bowl nutrition facts, consider creating them at home so you have control over what goes into them.
Let your body be the judge, if you feel good after eating them, your body is normally the best indicator when deciding are acai bowls healthy for you! Create your own healthy version.
Acai Bowl Masters Healthy Acai Bowl
The following Acai Bowl recipe can be used as a daily breakfast meal or Smoothie on the go.
Base Ingredients
- 2 small red apples washed
- 1 Frozen acai puree 100g pouch
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 1 small hand full coriander
- ¾ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 chopped frozen banana
- 1 teaspoon barley grass juice powder.
Topping Ingredients
Dependant on your calorie requirements you can use what you want but to keep calories to a minimum we choose the basics.
- No dried fruit low sugar Granola
- Coconut – Desiccated or shredded
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened coconut yoghurt or unsweetened Greek yoghurt
Method
Place base ingredients into your blender in the following order, note we do not add juice as the apples, spinach and coriander provide the juice.
Then by adding the smallest frozen’s to the largest makes for an easier blend in the blender.
Place in the blender in the following order:
Apples, spinach, coriander, barley grass powder, frozen blueberries, frozen acai puree, frozen banana.
For more great recipes see our Acai Bowl Recipe page
Acai Bowl Nutrition Facts From these Ingredients
Apples
Fat free, high is dietary fibre, vitamins A and C, plus calcium and iron. Readily available
Baby Spinach Leaves
Lean and green, rich in nutrients and a good hit of vitamin K plus magnesium to boost bone health.
*Barley Grass Juice Powder
Look for organic pure powder without any fillers or additives. A nutrient dense impressive antioxidant that also contains, 8 essential amino acids, is high in protein, calcium, iron, plus 4 B vitamins and folic acid.
*If you have an underlying health condition or are on prescription medication talk to your medical practitioner before consuming barley grass supplements.
Coriander (cilantro)
Although it sounds unusual to add this, there is little taste in the blend. Do not discount this fragrant, antioxidant rich herb. Coriander is believed to help fight infections, lower blood sugar while encouraging good heart, skin, brain and digestive health.
Blueberries
Fresh or frozen, the darker firmer the berry the higher in antioxidants. Blueberries are low in calories with high fibre content plus contain vitamins C, K and enhance the flavours of all our acai bowl recipes.
Organic unsweetened Acai Puree
Acai contains plant sterols that prevent the absorption of dietary cholesterol into the body as well as containing trace minerals, vitamins and again an antioxidant. Acai has a 3-7 times higher ORAC* value than Blueberries.
*ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value is how antioxidants in food are typically measured.
Banana
A great source of the mineral potassium helps support good cardiovascular health and certainly blends well with Acai!
There May Be Health Benefits From the Ingredients we Use.
Disclaimer: If any of these foods listed are not in your current dietary intake and raise a concern for you, seek the advice of your medical practitioner before consuming. This is particularly important if you are on any prescription medication. This nutritional information contained below is sourced from Wikipedia and Healthline.com. and is not a recommendation to consume.
Acai Bowl Nutrition Facts in Summary
As with all dietary information we undertake the belief that all food including healthy options should be consumed in moderation and enjoyed.
We hope that the information provided here regarding acai bowl nutrition facts offers some guidance when answering the question ‘are acai bowls healthy’?
Our answer to ‘are acai bowls healthy’ as we explained at the beginning is ‘yes’ but be mindful of what goes in them and of course which toppings are added.
Go here for more great information on Acai Bowls or here for heaps of great recipes
Create. Blend. Enjoy!
