{"id":1891,"date":"2025-02-17T21:54:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T10:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/could-your-smoothie-bowl-be-causing-weight-gain.html"},"modified":"2025-02-17T21:54:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T10:54:03","slug":"could-your-smoothie-bowl-be-causing-weight-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/could-your-smoothie-bowl-be-causing-weight-gain.html","title":{"rendered":"Could Your Smoothie Bowl Be Causing Weight Gain?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Smoothie bowls aren\u2019t exactly revolutionary \u2014 it\u2019s a smoothie poured into a bowl and topped with fruit, seeds, nuts, or whatever else you have on hand \u2014 but they sure are photogenic:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But is your gorgeous, social media-ready smoothie bowl sneakily making you gain weight?<\/p>\n<p>Smoothie bowls can be a good source of fiber, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to start your day or help you refuel after a workout.<\/p>\n<p>But they can quickly turn into high-calorie sugar bombs if you\u2019re not careful.<\/p>\n<p>Read on to learn how to make healthy, satisfying smoothie bowls that won\u2019t bust your daily calorie target.<\/p>\n<h2>Health Benefits of Smoothie Bowls<\/h2>\n<p>Smoothie bowls share a lot of the same health benefits as regular smoothies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost smoothies and smoothie bowls are inherently healthy due to the fact that they usually contain a lot of whole foods, but they are only as healthy as the individual ingredients that you put in them,\u201d says Tori Wesszer, R.D.<\/p>\n<p>By adding fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, you can easily increase your vitamin and mineral intake for the day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmoothie bowls are a great way to get in a variety of nutrients \u2014 including vegetables \u2014 first thing in the morning,\u201d says Alissa Rumsey M.S., R.D.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re also a great way to sneak in superfoods that may not be so tasty on their own.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to juicing, smoothie bowls retain the fiber from fruit and veggies, which helps you feel fuller, longer; adding protein and fat has the same effect.<\/p>\n<p>All three components can help stave off hunger and cravings later in the day.<\/p>\n<p>And for many of us, the simple act of eating breakfast can help set the tone for the day and foster healthy eating habits.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGetting into the habit of making smoothies and smoothie bowls is a delicious way to start the day, and people who eat breakfast (versus those who skip it) tend to eat healthier throughout the day,\u201d Wesszer says.<\/p>\n<p>Before you get blending, let\u2019s break down what not to do when you make your next smoothie bowl.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Smoothie Bowl Mistakes to Avoid<\/h2>\n<h3>Mistake #1: Adding Too Much Fruit<\/h3>\n<p>On the whole,\u00a0fruit is good for you.<\/p>\n<p>But when it comes to smoothies, people can end up eating far more fruit than they would ever eat in one sitting.<\/p>\n<p>That means a more sizeable hit of carbohydrates, which can affect your blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConsuming too many carbohydrates at one time, such as a smoothie with a large content of fruit, may raise blood sugar levels,\u201d says Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., CDE.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConsuming too much of any food, fruit included, can lead to an excess in overall calorie intake and promote weight gain,\u201d she adds. \u201cOnce they are blended down, the fruit appears to be a smaller portion, but you are still consuming the full serving.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Mistake #2: Ignoring portion sizes<\/h3>\n<p>Fruit, yogurt, greens, and other ingredients may reach the fill line when you toss them in the blender, but once you blend them, they may only reach halfway.<\/p>\n<p>So, why not throw in even more fruit and yogurt and other stuff, right?<\/p>\n<p>Resist the urge. Blending reduces the volume of all those lovely ingredients, but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re eating less.<\/p>\n<p>The key to a balanced meal is correct portion sizes, so adding in a bunch more stuff can throw that balance off.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019ll be eating around 460 calories, along with 1.4 ounces of sugar.<\/p>\n<p>Add half an avocado, a tablespoon of peanut butter, and a handful of chia seeds, and your smoothie now contains close to 900 calories.<\/p>\n<p>That could be almost half of your\u00a0recommended intake of calories for the day, depending on your age and gender.<\/p>\n<p>A few seemingly small additions can make a big difference to the overall makeup of your smoothie bowl.<\/p>\n<p>The good news here?<\/p>\n<p>You can kick back a few servings of veggies pretty easily when you incorporate them into a smoothie bowl.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you want to increase your intake of greens like spinach, smoothies, and smoothie bowls can be a brilliant way to simply increase your intake of these foods that you normally may not eat enough of,\u201d Wesszer says.<\/p>\n<h3>Mistake #3: Not putting skin in the game<\/h3>\n<p>People skip the skin of fruits and vegetables for a variety reasons: They don\u2019t like the taste and\/or texture or they\u2019re worried about consuming pesticides.<\/p>\n<p>But when you can, keep the skin!<\/p>\n<p>It can be a source of even more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and compounds like resveratrol (the pigment that gives grapes their red color) that have antioxidant properties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you remove the skin of the fruit or vegetable before blending it, you will be losing some nutrients and fiber,\u201d says Palinski-Wade.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, even with the skin removed, the fruit and vegetables still contain a good source of fiber. That said, I would still recommend blending certain fruits and vegetables with the skin on in a high-powered blender for the most nutrient-dense smoothie,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you blend fruit, you increase the surface area of the food, which allows digestion to occur more easily and may allow the natural sugars to be absorbed at a faster rate,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also\u00a0evidence that liquified food doesn\u2019t satisfy hunger as well as solid food.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t cause to banish your blender forever, though.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe fiber, protein, and fat content of the smoothie will ultimately determine how quickly the carbohydrates and sugars are digested, and the overall impact on blood sugar levels.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But liquid food has unique benefits, too.<\/p>\n<p>An analysis shows that\u00a0some nutrients may be more easily absorbed by the body when consumed in liquid format.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Mistake #4: Chugging (or spooning) your bowl down<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cOften people don\u2019t feel as full when they drink their calories versus chewing and eating them, so you may find that smoothies don\u2019t fill you up as much and that you need to eat more,\u201d Rumsey says.<\/p>\n<p>Since there\u2019s not a ton to chew on in a bowl, take it slow.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt can be easy to quickly drink a smoothie, but try to make it last at least 20 to 30 minutes. This will give your stomach time to signal to your brain that it is full,\u201d suggests Rumsey.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, research suggests chewing may decrease hunger and food intake.<\/p>\n<p>Adding some crunch with healthy toppings (in moderation) can also help you slow down and savor your bowl.<\/p>\n<h3>Mistake #5: Adding too many high-calorie toppings<\/h3>\n<p>Speaking of toppings\u2026 the typical smoothie bowl is topped off with even more fruit, nut butters, nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruit, etc. \u2014 all of which can add up to be more caloric than the smoothie part of the bowl!<\/p>\n<p>While toppings can add more nutrients, it\u2019s important to not go overboard.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to Keep Your Smoothie Bowl in Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To create a filling, satisfying smoothie bowl that won\u2019t get in the way of losing weight, it\u2019s important it contains protein, healthy fats, and carbs in the right balance.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some tips to keep your next smoothie bowl in check:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Add lots of veggies<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cIf a smoothie has too many high-calorie ingredients \u2014 even if they are healthy \u2014 you can end up consuming too many calories in one sitting,\u201d Rumsey says.<\/p>\n<p>Bulk up your smoothie bowl with spinach, kale, cucumbers, carrots, celery, or beets for added nutrition without tons of calories.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe more colorful fruit and veggies that you can pack in the better,\u201d Wesszer adds.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Add protein and fat<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cMany people end up adding way too much fruit to their smoothies and not enough protein or fat,\u201d Rumsey says.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to protein, plain Greek yogurt (2%), cottage cheese, silken tofu, or Shakeology are great sources.<\/p>\n<p>For fat: \u201cAdd in a tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds for omega-3 fats and a tablespoon or two of nut butter or raw nuts,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Top your smoothie bowl with nuts, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds for added healthy fats and protein.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Limit added sweeteners<\/h3>\n<p>If you add dried fruit, such as dates, stick to a max of two tablespoons and cut back slightly on the fresh fruit, Rumsey suggests.<\/p>\n<p>For yogurt or nut milks, go for the unsweetened versions.<\/p>\n<p>You can get smoothie packs at the store, but they can contain tons of added sugars in the form of corn syrup, granulated sugar, honey, sweetened fruit, and sweetened yogurt.<\/p>\n<p>By making your bowl at home with whole ingredients, you get to control what goes in it.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Balance higher-calorie toppings with lower-calorie toppings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI love topping my smoothie bowls with unsweetened coconut flakes (one to two tablespoons) and raw cacao nibs,\u201d Rumsey says.<\/p>\n<p>While some toppings, such as nuts, are higher in calories, Wesszer encourages people to add them in small amounts since they can still play a role in losing weight.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cExtra whole fruit such as kiwi, peaches, blackberries, or strawberries look beautiful and don\u2019t pack a ton of extra calories, and chia seeds are also a great option,\u201d Wesszer says.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Try These Delicious Smoothie Bowl Recipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Banana Berry Smoothie Bowl<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-104528\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Banana-Berry-Smoothie-Bowl-roundup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>This smoothie bowl may look too pretty to eat, but with 23 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and 14 grams of healthy fat, your body will be thankful when you do.<\/p>\n<p>Strawberry Whey Shakeology serves as the base, which also includes almond milk and blueberries.<\/p>\n<p>Top with blueberries, blackberries, banana, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and sliced almonds for added texture, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.<\/p>\n<h3>Shakeology Smoothie Bowl<\/h3>\n<p>This smoothie bowl also uses Strawberry Whey Shakeology as its base (it\u2019s just that good!).<\/p>\n<p>Cubed frozen mango and cucumber slices add a unique flavor profile that\u2019s sweet and refreshing.<\/p>\n<p>Top with chia seeds and blueberries and you\u2019re ready to enjoy.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Glowing Green Smoothie Bowl<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Not just appropriate for St. Patty\u2019s day, this verdant green smoothie bowl gets its color from a cup of raw spinach.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll hardly taste the greens once you add unsweetened coconut, kiwi, and banana as toppings.<\/p>\n<p>A cup of ice thickens up the mixture for a frosty treat that won\u2019t break the calorie bank.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Cherry Blossom Smoothie Bowl<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-104532\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Cherry-Blossom-Smoothie-Bowl-Roundup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Get your phones ready, because this bowl is a social media showstopper.<\/p>\n<p>With a scoop of Vanilla Whey Shakeology for a protein boost, almond milk, frozen cherries, and matcha, you\u2019ll have a sweet and nutritious snack or breakfast in just a few minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Toppings include more frozen cherries, strawberries, coconut, and pumpkin seeds.<\/p>\n<p>Smoothie bowls can definitely be a part of a nutritious eating plan \u2014 just make sure to keep an eye on portion sizes, toppings, and include proteins and healthy fats to keep them on point.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong>\u00a0If you don\u2019t want the stress (or don\u2019t have the time) to make sure your smoothie bowl ingredients are on point,\u00a0Shakeology\u00a0is a healthy and convenient solution.<\/p>\n<p>It includes the things you want in a healthy shake: probiotics, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, the\u00a0different variations\u00a0you can whip up are endless, so you\u2019ll never get bored.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smoothie bowls aren\u2019t exactly revolutionary \u2014 it\u2019s a smoothie poured into a bowl and topped with fruit, seeds, nuts, or whatever else you have on hand \u2014 but they sure are photogenic: But is your gorgeous, social media-ready smoothie bowl sneakily making you gain weight? Smoothie bowls can be a good source of fiber, protein, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1891"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1893,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1891\/revisions\/1893"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}