Nutrition facts about acai berries are hard to come by, but generally, acai bowls are packed with antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and other important nutrients.
Acai bowls are popular among food lovers worldwide for being tasty and nutritious. But are they really good for you?
Whether you’re a fan of acai bowls or trying them out for the first time, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know about their nutrition.
Are acai bowls healthy?
The short answer is… sort of? Acai berries are loaded with health-boosting antioxidants. Antioxidants act like little cleaners, getting rid of harmful free radicals in your body and lowering the risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Details about the nutritional content of acai berries themselves are hard to find. But acai bowls usually contain:
- Healthy fats
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Fiber, which helps you feel full and keeps your digestive system healthy
- Some studies show that acai berries might also help lower blood pressure, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Overall, acai bowls are considered superfoods. But here’s the catch: they’re often loaded with sugar. Eating them every day could spike your blood sugar levels or lead to weight gain. And if you’re on a low-carb diet like keto, they might not be the best choice.
A typical 6-ounce serving of acai bowl contains:
- Calories: 211
- Protein: 2.99 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
- Carbs: 35 grams
- Sugar: 19 grams
- Fiber: 6.97 grams
Keep in mind, these numbers are for a single serving. Many store-bought bowls come in larger sizes with even more calories and sugar, depending on the toppings.
So, what’s in an acai bowl?
The main ingredient in acai bowls is acai berries. These berries grow on the acai palm tree in Brazil. You can blend the berries into a sorbet-like mixture to make the base of an acai bowl.
After you make the base, you can add lots of different toppings. Some popular choices include fresh fruit, peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, honey, and other sweet stuff.
The final result is cold, creamy, and usually very sweet.
When to avoid an acai bowl If you think you might be allergic to acai berries or any other plant in the Arecaceae family, it’s best to steer clear. These berries can upset your stomach and cause diarrhea and other tummy troubles. So, maybe don’t eat them before a bike ride or a first date. Trust us on this one.
Also, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or a child, there’s not enough research to say if eating acai bowls regularly is safe. It’s best to talk to your doctor before adding them to your diet.
How to make an acai bowl at home Acai bowls can be expensive, and it’s hard to control the portion size when you order them from a restaurant. Plus, it’s not as fun to lick the bowl clean when people are watching you.
Here’s how to make a great acai bowl at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 packs of frozen unsweetened acai
- 2 small frozen bananas
- A splash of water or juice
Toppings: Whatever you like!
How to:
- Break up the frozen acai.
- Put the acai, frozen bananas, and water in a blender.
- Blend until it’s thick and creamy.
- Put it in a bowl.
- Add your favorite toppings. That’s it! Enjoy your homemade acai bowl.
