What is the lowest calorie bowl at Playa Bowls? A Nutrition Guide

October 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to official Playa Bowls nutrition information, the Green base is the lowest calorie base available, clocking in at 190 calories before any toppings are added. While this makes it the lowest calorie starting point, what is the lowest calorie bowl at Playa Bowls ultimately depends on smart customization, as many pre-made bowls can be surprisingly high in calories due to heavy additions.

Quick Summary

Many pre-made Playa Bowls can exceed a full meal's calorie count due to high-sugar bases and rich toppings. The Green base is the lowest calorie starting point, and strategic topping selection is key to keeping the total calorie count down.

Key Points

Lowest Calorie Base: The Green base, made with kale, banana, pineapple, and coconut milk, has the lowest calorie count at 190 before toppings.
Lowest Premade Bowl: Among pre-made bowls, the Oatmeal #2 bowl is the lowest calorie option at 320 calories.
Customize Your Bowl: Building your own bowl gives you the most control over calories, starting with a low-calorie base and minimal toppings.
Mindful Topping Selection: Stick to low-calorie fruits like strawberries and kiwi, plus nutrient-dense seeds like chia and hemp, to keep calories low.
Avoid High-Calorie Additions: Watch out for calorie-dense toppings like granolas, nut butters, and high-sugar drizzles such as Nutella.
Portion Control Matters: Since Playa Bowls are generously sized, consider sharing your bowl or saving a portion for later to manage calorie intake effectively.

Identifying the Lowest Calorie Base

To find the lowest calorie option, the best place to start is with the bases, as they form the foundation of any bowl. Playa Bowls offers a variety of blended bases, each with different calorie and sugar counts.

Based on the official nutritional information, here is a quick overview of the base options:

Green Base: At just 190 calories, this is the most calorie-efficient base. Made with kale, banana, pineapple, and coconut milk, it is also notable for its 6g of fiber and 4g of protein. However, it contains 26g of natural sugars, so managing portion size is important.
Oatmeal Base: A close second, the oatmeal base has 220 calories and a lower sugar count, with a bonus of 7g of protein. It is a warm, satiating option that can be a great choice for a heartier, low-calorie meal.
Playa Acai Base: This base has 250 calories and a decent 3g of protein. It's known for being packed with antioxidants but is slightly higher in calories than the green or oatmeal options.

Customizing Your Own Low-Calorie Bowl

The lowest calorie bowl is almost always one you build yourself. By starting with a low-calorie base and mindfully selecting your toppings, you can control the final calorie count. Choosing a healthy base and adding protein can also increase satiety, making the bowl more filling.

Here are some of the lowest-calorie toppings to consider:

Fruits: Strawberries (20 cal), kiwi (25 cal), blueberries (30 cal), and pineapple (30 cal) add flavor and nutrients without excessive calories.
Seeds: Chia seeds (15 cal) and hemp seeds (35 cal) provide healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
Other options: Bee pollen (10 cal) and cinnamon (0 cal) offer flavorful boosts with minimal calories.

Toppings to Limit or Avoid

To keep your bowl low-calorie, be aware of add-ons that can significantly increase the total count. Heavy drizzles and granolas are often the culprits behind high-calorie bowls.

Nut Butters: Almond butter (190 cal) and peanut butter (170 cal) are healthy in moderation but add many calories and fat.
Granola: Granola options, including Blueberry Flax (220 cal) and Gluten Free/Vegan (260 cal), are high in calories and sugar.
High-Sugar Drizzles: While agave (10 cal) and honey (15 cal) seem low-calorie, they can increase the overall sugar content. Nutella (150 cal) and other sugary toppings are best avoided for weight management.

Comparison of Bases

To illustrate the differences, here is a comparison table of some popular Playa Bowls bases based on their standard nutritional values:


Base	Calories	Fat (g)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
Green	190	2.5	26	4
Oatmeal	220	3.5	0	7
Playa Acai	250	8	14	3
Playa Coconut	270	14	19	3
Playa Pitaya	330	1	60	0

The Oatmeal Bowl: An Exception to the Rule

Among the pre-made menu items, the Oatmeal #2 bowl stands out as a significantly low-calorie option, coming in at 320 calories. This is much lower than other menu items like the Dragonberry (510 cal) or the Pura Vida (540 cal), demonstrating how the base and topping combination dramatically impacts the total nutrition. For those not looking to customize, the Oatmeal #2 is a clear winner for a pre-built low-calorie choice.

The Importance of Portion Control

Playa Bowls are known for their generous sizes, and a single bowl can contain more calories than intended for a snack or light meal. Sharing a bowl with a friend or saving half for later can be an effective strategy for managing your calorie intake. This is especially true for bowls loaded with high-calorie toppings and drizzles.

Conclusion: Making Smarter Choices at Playa Bowls

Ultimately, finding the lowest calorie bowl at Playa Bowls is a matter of being informed and making deliberate choices. The Green base provides the most calorie-efficient starting point, and the Oatmeal #2 is the best pre-built, low-calorie option. By controlling your base and selecting nutrient-dense, low-calorie toppings like fresh fruit and seeds, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying bowl that aligns with your nutritional and weight loss goals without the hidden sugars and fats. Remember to read the nutritional information and don't hesitate to customize your order to keep calories in check. For more general information on how to build a healthy bowl, a helpful guide can be found at New Jersey Bariatric Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Green base is the lowest calorie option at Playa Bowls, with 190 calories before adding any toppings.

The Oatmeal #2 bowl is the lowest calorie pre-made option on the menu, containing 320 calories.

Start with the Green base, and top it with low-calorie options such as fresh fruits (like strawberries and kiwi), chia seeds, and cinnamon.

To keep calories low, avoid high-calorie toppings like granola, nut butters (almond butter, peanut butter), and sugary drizzles such as Nutella or excessive amounts of honey.

Yes, Playa Bowls can be a healthy option, providing vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, but their healthiness depends heavily on the specific base and toppings chosen. Some combinations can be very high in calories and sugar.

The acai base has 250 calories, and the pitaya base has 330 calories, making them higher in calories than the green or oatmeal bases.

Yes, controlling your portion size is important, as the bowls are often large. You can share with a friend or save half for later to manage your overall calorie intake.