You may have seen acai bowls on the menu at your favorite breakfast spot, or you might even be craving one right now. But are acai bowls really a healthy option? The acai berry is an antioxidant-rich fruit that’s been touted as “the new superfood.” It has vitamins A, C, and E; iron; calcium; magnesium; zinc; potassium—and it contains more protein than other fruits. Acais also believed to help with weight management and diabetes prevention because of their low sugar content. But if those acai berries are sitting in a bowl of ice cream with granola topping, then they’re not doing much for your health! This article will explore whether acai bowl can truly be considered a healthy meal.
The acai berry looks like a grape and has a fantastic tropical, naturally sweet flavor. It’s a versatile taste that goes well with many different foods. The acai palm tree, which is native to Brazilian rainforests, produces the fruit. Because of its short shelf life, you won’t find acai fruit fresh in stores. Instead, the acai fruit pulp is frozen and turned into acai bowls, acai smoothies and acai juices.
The flavor isn’t what you’re used to with other berries. Some people describe it as “earthy,” but, in reality, they have a flavor comparable to tea. It’s a cross between blackberries and unsweetened chocolate, according to Harrington.
Fresh acai never reaches your neighborhood grocery, so you may purchase it in the frozen form, powder or juice. That’s precisely how an acai bowl is made: by combining frozen acai puree with other fruits, sometimes on its own or in combination with other fruits, says Harrington. A fruit blend will almost certainly have a sweeter flavor than acai on its own, which can be a little tart.
Acai bowls can be a great way to get antioxidant-packed fruit into your day. However, says Harrington, the trend has driven supercharged acai bowls that are blended with juice and other fruit, and then heavily topped with things like granola or honey, which can make it easy to go overboard on sugar. Read the ingredient list if you’re ordering one and stay mindful of toppings to build a good-for-you bowl.