SUPER FRUIT SMOOTHIE BOWL

(Nutrition Blog #2 - Plant based diets VS Animal based diets)

Although the winter season is approaching fast, I'd like to dedicate this blog to one of my favourite snacks during the warmer seasons (I really miss the heat 🌞) and also some benefits to switching to a vegetarian diet.

SMOOTHIE BOWLS! --- They are great for your health and you can get creative decorating the bowl however you desire! Visuals and aesthetics are great as WE ALL EAT WITH OUR EYES FIRST 👀

Additionally, Vegans on a plant based diet and/or anyone else who has eating restrictions, can enjoy this as snack as well!

A VEGAN DIET you say?

What is a plant based diet anyway? A general plant based diet means fruits, vegetables, legumes, tubers, and whole grains only! Most Vegans base their diets on completely eliminating any sort of animal product and as well as minimizing overly refined foods like bleached flours, oils, and refined sugars.

🥦🥑🥒🥜🥗

PLANT BASED DIET health benefits include:

1. Lower risk of heart disease - lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.

2. Improved cardiovascular health - reduced saturated fats.

3. Better bowel movement - vegetarian diets are high in fibre, this aids in healthier bowel movements and fights colon cancer.

Going vegan can also:

- reduce green house gasses, land use, water/air pollution, etc.

- stop animal cruelty, and bring more awareness towards it

- reduce habitat loss

- conserve water

VS

🥓🍳🧀🍤🍔🥩

ANIMAL BASED DIET health benefits include:

1. High complete protein intake - It's in all of our muscles, nails, hair, blood, skin and cells. The protein in meat contains all 9 essential amino acids.

2. Zinc immunity - promotes immune function and helps wounds heal.

3. Rich in Iron - promotes healthy red blood cells

In other words, both diets are acceptable, as long as you eat everything in moderation and maintain a balanced diet.

R E C I P E

Yields 1 bowl

Ingredients:

Smoothie Base

- 1/2 banana

- 1 cup Kirkland frozen berry mix

- 1/2 cup Kirkland frozen strawberries

- 3/4 cup Almond Breeze unsweeted almond milk

- 1/4 cup So Delicious coconut yogurt

- 4 pitted dates

- 1 tbsp chia seeds

Toppings

- 1/4 mixed fresh fruit

- 1/2 banana

- 2 tbsp granola

- 1/2 tbsp almond butter

- 1 pinch cinnamon

- 1 tsp chia seeds (btw: very high in fibre, protein, omega 3 acids)

- 1 tbsp yogurt

Ingredients in a smoothie bowl are easy to find and can almost be anything you like. In fact, any frozen fruit, nut butter, healthy seeds, yogurts, milk/milk alternatives can do. You can add more toppings like shredded coconut flakes, goji berries, flax seeds, drizzled honey, sliced almonds, bee pollen, etc. The possibilities are endless!

This is what the final product looked like, I personally love pinks and purples and this looked very refreshing and appetizing:

In conclusion, I'd like to point out that in my future culinary profession, I can certainly see myself incorporating plant-based dishes into my menus. I think culture diversity is something I've grown accustomed to in my life, so why not have the same with restaurant menus! When I own a restaurant, I want everybody to feel welcome and for everyone to have something to enjoy, and don't think it will be difficult to fulfill dietary needs/restrictions. Hopefully everybody will be happy!

🍌🍇🍓🍒🍦🍇🍓🍌🍇🍓🍒🍦🍒🍌🍇🍓🍒🍦🍇🍓🍒🍌🍇

References:

http://namstarter.rlabsnamibia.org/product/fresh-fruits-vegetables (fruits/veggies picture)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321410.php (berries picture)

https://www.yourdailyvegan.com/environment/ (vegan facts)