The whole point of meal prep is to keep things simple. That’s why I love these easy meal prep bowls. There’s minimal cooking and so much scope for variety. Enjoy these Buddha bowls at home or on the go for an easy meal prep lunch idea!
I like to fill my Buddha bowls with healthy plant-based ingredients, but your protein choice is, of course, up to you. As long as your nourish bowl is mainly full of vegetables, your lunch will be full of nutrients!
Healthy Eating Plate
The bowls use the idea of a healthy eating plate: 1/2 of your plate should be filled with vegetables and some fruit, 1/4 of the plate should be whole grains and starches, and the last 1/4 is protein. Healthy fats will be present in some of your food choices (for example, avocado or olives) and in a small quantity of dressing dribbled on top.
1. Grains And Starches (1/4 of the bowl)
Most grains and starches can be prepped in advance and stored for several days in your fridge.
Try these ideas:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Sweet potatoes
- Quinoa
- Regular potatoes
- Squash
- Bread
2. Vegetables And Some Fruit (1/2 of the bowl)
The best thing about these vegan meal prep bowls is you can use just about anything to come up with a healthy plate. To keep the cost of your grocery list down, opt for vegetables and fruit in season.
Grocery stores often run offers on over-stocked fresh fruit and vegetables and you can always buy frozen. There’s less food waste with frozen food. Just keep bags of produce in your freezer and use as needed.
Some vegetables will need to be cooked and prepped in advance. Fresh fruit and salad vegetables are best prepared just before use.
Opt for variety, different colors, and textures. Make your plate zing with peppers, zucchini, spinach leaves, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes… the list of options is endless.
If you’re taking prepared fresh fruit or avocado to work in your lunch box, a little lime or lemon juice will help to keep them fresh. Vinaigrette can also be used for avocado and is ideal for prepared salad. Keep your lunch box in the fridge.
3. Protein (1/4 of the bowl)
There are so many cheap and affordable plant-based protein options. You can soak and prepare beans and lentils for your bowls in advance or opt for quick and easy tins.
Try these protein ideas:
- Beans (chickpeas, black beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans…)
- Lentils
- Tofu
- Nuts (peanuts, almonds, hazel nuts…)
- Soy milk
- Soy yogurt
4. Healthy Fats
Essential for health, use healthy fats to supplement your bowls:
- Olives, including olive oil for dressings
- Nuts
- Coconut
- Seeds
- Peanut butter
- Almond butter
- Tahini (make your own to save money)
Apart from coconut, these healthy fats are unsaturated fats, but they are high in calories – so use them with caution.
5. Dressings
It’s the dressing on your vegan bowl that pulls the dish together. It can just be a simple vinaigrette of olive oil and vinegar. A typical recipe is three parts oil to one part vinegar with salt and pepper to taste.
You can use lime or lemon juice instead of vinegar and add extra flavor with chili flakes, mustard, or garlic – experiment with different flavors.
Alternatively, simply drizzle on some coconut milk.
6. Toppings
Add extra flavor to your bowls with crispy tofu, vegan cheese, or nutritional yeast.
27 Buddha Bowl Ideas In Pictures
More Meal Prep Lunch Ideas
Give these ideas a try: