08 Oct How Many Calories Is Roots Bowl? Detailed Ingredient Count & Ways to Cut Calories

With its colorful mix of veggies, grains, and proteins, Roots Bowl is, without a doubt, the favorite dish of all the health-conscious foodies out there. Thus, it is easy to see why this dish is a must-have on café menus everywhere. However, have you ever thought about how many calories is a Roots Bowl? In this blog post, we’re going to explore the calorie count of this popular dish, while looking into all the factors that can affect its nutritional value. So, whether you’re a die-hard Roots Bowl fan trying to make smarter choices or, on the other hand, just curious about what’s inside this trendy meal, get ready.

What is a Roots Bowl?

A Roots bowl is a super customizable meal that’s all about plants and packed with nutrients. For instance, picture a bowl that starts with grains like quinoa or brown rice. Next, throw in a mix of roasted or fresh veggies, and top it off with your choice of protein—maybe tofu or chicken. Finally, add some sauce or dressing, and voilà! You’ve got yourself a delicious, filling meal that’s bursting with flavor! However, how many calories is a Roots bowl? It depends on the components you choose.

A typical Roots bowl might include the following components:

• Base: First, quinoa, brown rice, or mixed greens.

• Protein: Then, grilled chicken, tofu, or chickpeas.

• Vegetables: Next, kale, roasted sweet potatoes, or broccoli.

• Toppings: Additionally, avocado, pickled onions, or sriracha peas.

• Dressing: Finally, cilantro lime, lemon tahini, or green goddess.

Average Calorie Count of a Roots Bowl

Typically, a Roots bowl can pack in anywhere from 400 to 700 calories. However, if you’re curious about how many calories is a Roots bowl contains, it really depends on what you pick. For instance, a bowl with a lot of grains and proteins will clock in more calories than one filled mostly with veggies. Therefore, if you’re aiming for something lighter, go for leafy greens as your base, keep the grains to a minimum, and, ultimately, be chill with the dressing.

Let’s take a look at the nutrition info for a typical Roots bowl:

• Calories: 779

• Carbohydrates: 109g (including 12g of dietary fiber and 27g of sugar)

• Protein: 17g

• Fat: 34g (including 8g of saturated fat)

• Vitamin B-12: 0.06mcg (3% Daily Value)

So, how many calories is a Roots bowl depends on the portion size and ingredients chosen. First, let’s break down the main components as well as their calorie counts.

Common Roots Bowl Ingredients and Their Calorie Counts

If you want to find out how many calories is a Roots bowl, you’ll need to check the calorie content of each ingredient. Indeed, the table below gives you a detailed breakdown of the calories in the ingredients of a Roots bowl.

1. Bases and Ingredients

The type of base you choose for your Roots Bowl really affects the overall calorie count. Consequently, let’s dive into how many calories are in various bases and, more importantly, the ingredients.

Ingredient	Calories (per serving)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Proteins (g)	Fats (g)	Saturated Fat (g)
Brown Rice	177	37	3	1	4	2	0
Roots Rice	173	36	3	1	4	2	0
Bulgur	58	13	3	0	2	0	0
Kale	49	10	1	0	3	0	0
Spinach	20	3	3	0	3	0	0
Arcadian Mix	22	5	2	1	1	0	0
Black Beans	47	9	3	0.5	3	0	0
White Beans	56	10	3	0	4	0	0
Chickpeas	55	10	2	2	3	1	0
Cucumbers	8	2	0	0	0	0	0
Tomatoes	7	2	1	0	0	0	0
Onions	10	2	0.5	0	0	0	0
Avocado	81	4	4	0	2	7	2
Red Cabbage	8.7	2.1	0.6	1.1	0.4	0	0
Carrots	10.3	2.4	0.7	1.2	0.2	0	0

2. Toppings and Extras

Adding toppings and extras can really jazz up your Roots Bowl with flavor and texture; however, they also come with extra calories. Therefore, along with knowing  how many calories is a roots bowl, check out the breakdown of calories for some popular toppings below.

Ingredient	Calories (per serving)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Proteins (g)	Fats (g)	Saturated Fat (g)
Pita Chips	93	14	1	0	2	4	0.5
Goat Cheese	86	3	0	0	5	6	4
Parmesan	104	0	0	0	8	6	4
Feta	75	2	0	0	5	6	4
Cheddar	84	2	0	0	6	5	3
Craisins	77	21	1	16	0	1	0
Egg	77	1	0	1	6	5	2
Corn	56	7	1	1	1	3	0.5
Almonds	75	3	1	0.5	3	7	0.5
Pickled Onions	12	2	0	2	0	0	0
Jalapeños	5	3.4	0.6	0.5	0.2	0.2	0
Sweet Potatoes	92	14	3	5	1	3	0.5
Beets	35	5	1	4	1	1	0.2
Broccoli	27	3	1	1	1	4	0.5

3. Dressings (per oz. 1½ to 2 oz. per serving

Dressings are essential for jazzing up the flavor of your Roots Bowl; but they can sneak in some extra calories, too. No worries, though! Fortunately, we’ve got the calorie info for all the dressing choices right here, so you can pick wisely.

Dressing	Calories (per oz.)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Proteins (g)	Fats (g)	Saturated Fat (g)
Olive Oil	119	0	0	0	0	14	2
Balsamic Vinaigrette	60	7	0	5	0	4	0
Lemon Tahini	80	6	1	1	2	7	1
Honey Mustard	100	10	0	8	1	6	1
Green Goddess	80	3	0	1	1	7	1
Cilantro Lime	70	5	0	2	0	6	1

How Can You Decrease Calories in a Roots Bowl?

If you want to enjoy your Roots Bowl while keeping calories in check, here are some smart strategies to consider:

1. Opt for a leafy green base: This choice not only reduces calories but also packs in tons of nutrients.
2. Limit high-calorie dressings:Choose lighter dressings or, alternatively, use less dressing overall.
3. Choose lean protein options: Opt for grilled chicken, tofu, or chickpeas instead of richer choices.
4. Be mindful of toppings: Use fewer nuts or cheese, and load up on fresh vegetables instead.
5. Portion control:   Along with understanding how many calories is a roots bowl, also pay attention to portion sizes to avoid adding unnecessary calories.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the number of calories in a Roots Bowl can fluctuate based on the ingredients and portion sizes you choose. Hence, it’s all about being mindful of your selections. By being aware of both how many calories is a roots bowl and what’s in your bowl, you can enjoy this trendy dish without compromising your health goals.

FAQ

1. How can I make my Roots bowl lower in calories?

Opt for a base of leafy greens or cauliflower rice; furthermore, choose lean proteins like tofu or chickpeas. Additionally, use dressings sparingly, and, on top of that, avoid high-calorie toppings.

2. What are some low-calorie base options for a Roots bowl?

Low-calorie bases include kale (49 calories), spinach (20 calories), and Arcadian mix (22 calories); consequently, they help keep calorie content low while providing essential nutrients.

3. How can portion sizes impact how many calories is in a Roots bowl?

Portion sizes, therefore, greatly affect calorie count. For instance, extra grains, dressings, or protein can significantly increase calories; thus, it is important to keep portions of high-calorie components smaller in order to stay calorie-conscious.