Regardless of whether I'm sharing new information or providing a refresher, I'm here to tell you why should swap out the cereal and milk for these acai bowls.
I first tried an acai bowl in January 2015 while visiting Maui with my then-fiance, now husband. I wasn't very familiar with the idea but the choice of fresh fruit, homemade granola, and fruit mixed into one bowl with this acai berry versus a carb heavy bagel was preferable. It was love at first taste. Wow!
Acai bowls are really just thick smoothies made from the Brazilian acai berry topped with whatever type of fresh fruit, granola, shredded coconut, or other toppings you desire. The reddish purple acai berry is considered a superfood with anti-aging and weight loss properties. Some studies have shown that the acai berry has more antioxidants than most other berries including blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. It is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids which can help lower triglyceride levels, reduce joint pain, and be beneficial for mental health.
The acai bowl pictured above was made with Sambazon's superfruit frozen packs that also includes guarana for an extra energy boost. (Think one less cup of coffee or tea!) One pack has just 100 calories, 4g of fat, and just 15 carbohydrates. You can buy Sambazon products on Amazon or in most grocery stores. There are other companies that offer acai berry powders and puree, Sambazon just happens to be the most prevalent.
While the acai bowl is filling, energizing, nutritious, and delicious it isn't the cheapest breakfast option. It's about $6 for a Sambazon superfruit frozen four pack, which would make two acai bowls. While you can definitely get more breakfasts out of a $4 box of cereal, the acai puree from Sambazon has no added sugars, is organic, gmo-free, vegan, gluten-free, and packed with more nutrients than any cereal could offer.
And yes, it does take a few more minutes to assemble than pouring milk over cereal or oatmeal, but if you prep your fruits the night before it is relatively simple and shouldn't take very long. Trust me, the taste and fulfillment you will get from eating an acai bowl is worth adding a few extra minutes to your morning routine.