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Alice Vol. 4 No. 2

Published by UA Student Media Spring 2019.

Published by UA Student Media Spring 2019.

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Unbelieva-bowl<br />

The latest smoothie trend is thicker, yummier and even more photogenic<br />

By Lucy Hanley<br />

With avocado toast and artful lattes<br />

dominating the online foodie scene for the past<br />

few years, it’s time to accept the undeniable<br />

supremacy of the latest social media food trend:<br />

smoothie bowls.<br />

Looking back, 2018 was a year characterized<br />

by talk of veganism, mirror-glazed desserts,<br />

superfoods, #CleanEating, avocado, and<br />

unicorn-themed everything. This year,<br />

however, is the year of the smoothie bowl.<br />

<strong>No</strong>t to be confused with the also previously<br />

trendy açaí bowls, smoothie bowls are new,<br />

improved, and even more aesthetically-pleasing<br />

than a traditional smoothie. While smoothie<br />

bowls can be traced back to eastern cultures,<br />

açaí bowls originated in one of the only regions<br />

where açaí berries grow, Brazil. The berry is a<br />

regionally-renowned dietary staple, commonly<br />

employed as a nutritional supplement for the<br />

diets of those who cannot afford expensive<br />

grocery lists.<br />

Origin aside, smoothie bowls exercise more<br />

freedom in the composition of their bases.<br />

It’s meant to include a variety of fruits and<br />

vegetables to suit the individual’s dietary needs<br />

or preferences.<br />

Despite their flexibility of constituents, the<br />

bowls are expected to be carefully coordinated.<br />

They were conceived as a way to pair low<br />

glycemic fruits with nutrient-rich vegetables,<br />

nuts and other toppings, ultimately creating<br />

a delicious, nutritious and filling meal. These<br />

bowls are designed to be served thicker, colder<br />

and with a spoon. Their unique texture—one<br />

which is similar to that of a sorbet—allows for<br />

the addition of virtually unlimited toppings<br />

including coconut flakes, granola, sliced fruit,<br />

honey, nuts and berries.<br />

Lower glycemic fruits like cherries,<br />

apples, oranges, grapefruit and pears reduce<br />

inflammation in the body and help to maintain<br />

stable blood sugar levels throughout the day,<br />

making you feel fuller and more satisfied with<br />

your meal. These fruits also promote both<br />

weight loss and maintenance, as well as lower<br />

your risks of developing heart disease and type<br />

2 diabetes.<br />

Other common smoothie bowl ingredients<br />

like avocado, chia seeds and various nuts not<br />

only help to create a thick, creamy texture,<br />

but they also yield lots of anti-inflammatory<br />

omega-3 fatty acids. As far as diet is concerned,<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> Spring 2019 109

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