By Diva Dressing 
Power bowls are versatile, nutrient-dense meals that can be customized to suit your tastes and dietary needs. They’re perfect for meal prepping, as you can prepare them in advance and enjoy them throughout the week. Here’s a guide to creating week-long power bowls that are healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare.
Base Ingredients
Whole Grains
Quinoa, brown rice, farro, barley, or bulgur.
Cook a large batch according to package instructions and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Lean Proteins
Grilled chicken breast, tofu, chickpeas, black beans, or lentils.
Cook or grill your protein choices, season to taste, and store in airtight containers.
Fresh Vegetables
Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, kale, carrots, or shredded cabbage.
Wash, chop, and store in separate containers. Some vegetables can be roasted or steamed for added flavor.
Healthy Fats
Avocado, nuts, seeds, or olives.
Slice avocados just before serving to prevent browning. Store nuts and seeds in airtight containers.
Dressings and Sauces
Lemon-tahini dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, yogurt-based sauces, or salsa.
Prepare dressings and sauces in small jars or containers. Keep them separate until serving to maintain freshness.
Power Bowl Recipes
Mediterranean Power Bowl
Base: Cooked quinoa.
Proteins: Grilled chicken breast or chickpeas.
Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, red onion, and spinach.
Healthy Fats: Crumbled feta cheese and a few slices of avocado.
Dressing: Lemon-tahini dressing.
Layer quinoa, chicken or chickpeas, and vegetables in a bowl. Top with feta, avocado, and drizzle with lemon-tahini dressing.
Asian-Inspired Power Bowl
Base: Cooked brown rice or farro.
Proteins: Teriyaki tofu or grilled chicken.
Vegetables: Shredded carrots, edamame, bell peppers, and spinach.
Healthy Fats: Sliced almonds or sesame seeds.
Dressing: Soy-ginger dressing.
Assemble rice or farro with tofu or chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with almonds or sesame seeds and drizzle with soy-ginger dressing.
Southwest Power Bowl
Base: Cooked barley or brown rice.
Proteins: Black beans or grilled chicken.
Vegetables: Corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, and shredded lettuce.
Healthy Fats: Sliced avocado and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
Dressing: Salsa or a lime-cilantro vinaigrette.
Layer barley or rice with black beans or chicken, vegetables, and avocado. Top with cheese and drizzle with salsa or lime-cilantro vinaigrette.
Harvest Power Bowl
Base: Cooked farro or quinoa.
Proteins: Roasted chickpeas or turkey breast.
Vegetables: Roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and kale.
Healthy Fats: Pumpkin seeds and a few slices of apple.
Dressing: Apple-cider vinaigrette.
Combine farro or quinoa with roasted chickpeas or turkey, and roasted vegetables. Top with pumpkin seeds and apple slices, then drizzle with apple-cider vinaigrette.
Meal Prep Tips
Batch Cooking: Cook large quantities of grains and proteins at once and store them in separate containers. This will make it easier to assemble your power bowls throughout the week.
Freshness: Keep vegetables and dressings separate until you’re ready to eat to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
Storage: Use airtight containers to keep your ingredients fresh. Store bowls in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Versatility: Mix and match different base grains, proteins, and vegetables to keep things interesting. Adjust portion sizes based on your dietary needs.
Power bowls are a convenient and nutritious option for meal prepping. By preparing a variety of bases, proteins, vegetables, and dressings, you can create delicious and diverse meals for the entire week. Follow these tips and recipes to make healthy eating easy and enjoyable.
