By Ashley Britton

There’s no denying that all smoothie bowls are satisfying for our aesthetic and foodie needs. Be honest: How many times have we all endlessly scrolled through Instagram finding our mouths watering at the sight of these beautiful, creamy bowls? What makes smoothie bowls so unique is that each recipe is different in its own way, from the base of the smoothie to the variety of toppings that delicately sit on top.

In fact, the toppings are arguably the best part of a smoothie bowl. Not only do they make the bowl look like a piece of art, but they also embody an array of delicious flavors. However, being able to choose the right toppings can be a difficult task when attempting to make the perfect bowl. How do the toppings we pick reflect our own personalities? Read more below to find out!

Fruit: This is the staple of the smoothie bowl! It’s hard to find one recipe on Pinterest that doesn’t have some sort fruit as a topping. Adding fruit to your bowl means that you value simplicity and more traditional things. It’s something to be proud of because it means you know what you like and what satisfies your hunger.

Nuts: Throwing nuts into the mix balances the sweet and the salty while providing that satisfying crunch to your meal. This means you lead to aim a balanced lifestyle. Although you have many different to-do’s in your life, you somehow manage to sort things out in the end.

Coconut: Coconut provides that extra flare to a smoothie bowl, similar to sprinkles on top of an ice cream sundae. If you add coconut to your bowl you are very creative. Whether it be art, fashion, or music as your passion, you tend to step outside of the box with all of your ideas.

Cacao nibs: If you add cacao nibs, you are bold and daring! Cacao nibs are always a hit or miss for whoever tries them, likely due to their very bitter taste. However, this also means you are willing to try new things, even if they diverge from the sweet taste of a typical Hershey’s bar.

Nut butter: Any time I see a picture on my feed of a smoothie bowl, the first thing my eyes dart to is the satisfying drizzle of peanut or almond butter that coats the toppings underneath. If you add this to your bowls, this means you are outspoken! You have nothing to hide and are very vocal about what you have to say. Such spoonfuls of peanut/almond butter sit on top of these bowls with nothing but protein-filled pride. 

Chia seeds: I consider sprinkling chia seeds on top of a smoothie bowl to be a skill. There is a specific balance one must attain when putting chia seeds on a bowl. If you add too many, you end up with a large clump of black seeds, which is a disaster waiting to happen for your teeth. If you are a chia seed enthusiast, this means that you are a perfectionist. You are willing to take that extra step, whatever it is, to fulfill your Insta aesthetic goals; even if that means intricately placing the perfect amount of chia seeds in the right location.