Posted on March 12, 2019
In the past decade, acai berries have gained a reputation as a “superfruit”, becoming one of the most highly sought after products on the market. Originally from Brazil, the fruit is extremely nutrient dense yet low in sugar and it’s loaded with brain-boosting antioxidants. It’s exported as a berry puree and blended into smoothies and bowls for mass consumption. For us, the best part about acai is that it’s totally braces-friendly! It’s also a healthy alternative to ice cream and other high sugar breakfast concoctions. To celebrate our love of acai bowls and braces-friendly living, we compiled a list of our favorite places to grab an acai bowl right here in Encino!
16830 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436
Although Earthbar primarily specializes in making smoothies, there is also a signature acai bowl on the menu comprised of acai puree blended with banana and vanilla or chocolate hemp milk and topped with fresh fruit and granola. To make this bowl braces-friendly, ask the cashier to hold the granola. Instead, you can add your own sprinkle of cinnamon or honey for extra flavor. The cafe is located inside Equinox gym, but you can still get an acai bowl even if you’re not a member. While you’re there, we recommend grabbing a smoothie, too! They’re a yummy way to get your nutrients and there’s literally no chewing involved – an orthodontic dream!
4922 Balboa Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
Robeks is a health food store with a focus on smoothies, juices, and acai bowls. Not only do they have multiple types of acai bowls, there are also tons of drinks and acai smoothies available. It’s a great way to incorporate foods you normally wouldn’t be able to eat because of braces into your diet. The blender or food processor will be able to blend ingredients like peanut butter and cucumber until it’s smooth and well-integrated with the acai flavor. You can be sure their items will be fresh and consistent no matter which location you’re at. For patients with braces, we recommend the Acai Tropical Mango bowl because it has no crunchy or chewy toppings.
15840 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436
One of our favorite places to grab a quick breakfast is Nuts ‘n Berries Cafe! They have a wide range of items, from sandwiches and wraps to pastries and coffee. Many of our patients stop by after they get their braces adjusted because it’s a convenient place for a bowl of acai. The cold, creamy treat is the perfect way to treat yourself when you’ve got sensitive teeth or gums. Ask them to hold off on the granola when ordering. They also have divine egg dishes if you want something savory, too!
17200 Ventura Blvd, Ste 223A, Los Angeles, CA 91316
For those of us who prefer the simple things in life, Silly Cone makes fresh acai gelato and sorbetto by the order. You can forgo the frills and get an entire bowl of pure acai made with liquid nitrogen. Silly Cone also offers vegan substitutes and toppings, so you can customize your acai bowl exactly as you want it. Just make sure to steer clear of adding any dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips in your bowl as they can damage your braces.
16443 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436
Last but not least, your local Jamba Juice is now serving acai bowls, too! The national chain jumped on the bandwagon and started serving acai bowls since they had so many of the components needed to provide them already. Although their acai bowls may seem plain in comparison to other specialty stores, you can easily customize your own acai bowl by asking to add more fruit or fresh shots of wheatgrass or orange ginger cayenne.
While acai bowls are certainly healthier than donuts for breakfast or ice cream for dessert, they can still be high in sugar due to natural fructose and other ingredients that stores add. After eating or drinking your acai, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water to avoid leaving sugar and bacteria on the enamel. This will help reduce your risk of developing cavities and tooth decay.
We recommend our patients limit their consumption of acai bowls and smoothies to just a few times a week because of the sugar content. In the meantime, there are still plenty of other delicious, braces-friendly foods in Encino! If you have questions about your diet with braces, feel free to ask your orthodontist! At Orthodontics LA in Encino, it’s important to us that our patients enjoy their braces experience and that includes being able to eat throughout the process.
