by Elizabeth Hall, MS, RDN, LDN, Food City Registered Dietitian

Spring brings warmer weather, greenery, flowers, and of course, seasonal fruits and vegetables! A great way to enjoy fresh, frozen, canned, or dried produce is in a delicious smoothie bowl, a trendy way to enjoy a classic smoothie with a spoon and crunchy toppings. Whether you are novice or expert, follow these steps to build a fruit-and-veggie-filled smoothie bowl to meet your #bowlgoals this spring:

Step 1: Choose your fruits and veggies
Most smoothie bowl recipes start with a banana for texture and add additional fruits and vegetables from there. Here are a few theme ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Tropical Paradise
Go for a tropical theme with mango, pineapple, dragon fruit and avocado for creaminess.

A Walk Through the Forest
If you love berries, a forest fruit theme may be the way to go with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. For your vegetable, use frozen cauliflower which is practically tasteless, but adds additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

A Pop of Color
Let your favorite color inspire you! Create a super-green smoothie bowl with leafy greens and kiwi.

Save Room for Dessert
For a decadent dessert, try a chocolate cherry smoothie bowl using frozen cherries and cocoa powder. Add canned carrots or sweet potato for extra sweetness.

Step 2: Pick a protein
Proteins can range from nut butters and Greek yogurt to protein powders. Try to choose options with less added sugar and at least 7 grams of protein.

Step 3: Add liquid
Options for your liquid include 100% fruit juices like orange, pineapple, or pomegranate juice, milk, or dairy alternatives like almond, soy, or coconut milk. Add enough liquid to get the smoothie bowl to your desired thickness.

Step 4: Top with texture
Set your smoothie bowl apart from the rest with yummy toppings! This is your opportunity to add more fruits such as sliced berries or banana or dried cranberries. You can also add whole grain oats, flax or chia seeds, or dark chocolate chips. You could even top with a fresh herb such as mint, which adds some color and brightness to your flavor profile.