Artfully arranging colorful food in a bowl is all the rage these days, and I’m not sad about it.  The popularity of Power Bowls is getting people to eat more vegetables, and that is always something I’ll support!

The concept of a Power Bowl is simple: load up a bunch of healthy ingredients in a bowl, and eat!  But making a healthy Power Bowl requires just a bit more thought.  I often see people put together combinations like rice, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts … and while all of those food items are healthy overall, the combination creates an imbalance and won’t keep you full for very long!  To clear up the confusion, here are my top 3 tips to create a healthy Power Bowl, as well as my favorite 20 healthy Power Bowl recipes!

1. Include a protein and a fat: The key to a healthy Power Bowl that keeps you full and meets your nutrient needs is having a source of protein and a source of healthy fat. Protein options (like chicken, fish, eggs, high-quality steak, or beans, lentils, or tempeh if you don’t eat animal products) support lean muscle building (which helps us burn fat and fuels our activity!).  Healthy fat options (like nuts, seeds, high-quality oils, avocado, egg yolks, coconut, or olives) keep us full for longer, and help us absorb the nutrients from vegetables.
2. Veggie up! Aside from the protein and fat, I recommend including at least 2 nutrient-dense vegetables. Brussels sprouts, zucchini, peppers, mixed greens, asparagus, and green beans are some of my favorites, but feel free to be creative!  These veggies should be the bulk of the volume of your dish.  Including one starchier vegetable (like sweet potatoes or butternut squash) makes the dish more satisfying and hearty, but one is likely enough!
3. Watch the sugary sauces: It’s always best to make your own sauces, and most of the recipes included here use homemade dressings or sauces. If you choose to use a pre-bottled option, though, watch that added sugar!  (For more on reading labels, check out my webinar here!)

20 Healthy Power Bowl Recipes

1. Loaded Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl
2. Teriyaki Chicken Power Bowl
3. Grilled Greek Souvlaki Bowls with cauliflower rice
   

   Feasting at Home – Greek Souvlaki Bowl with Cauliflower Rice

4. Sweet Chili Salmon, Broccoli, and Quinoa Bowls
5. Spring Breakfast Salad
6. Paleo Taco Wannabe Breakfast Bowl
7. Total 10 Mexican Bowl (note: add a serving of green veggies!)
8. Paleo Balance Bowl
   

   Little Bits Of – Paleo Balance Bowl

9. California Quinoa Bowls
10. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl
11. Chinese Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
12. Chicken Curry Spaghetti Squash Bowls
13. Bulletproof Breakfast Buddha Bowl
    

    Bulletproof – Breakfast Buddha Bowl

14. Vegan BBQ Chickpeas and Cilantro Hummus Bowl
15. Chicken Fajita Bowl with Spiralized Sweet Potaotes
16. Paleo Korean Bibimbap Bowl
17. Blackened Chicken Avocado Power Bowls
    

    The Recipe Critic – Blackened Chicken Avocado Power Bowl

18. Southwestern Power Bowl
19. Ground Beef Taco Bowls
20. Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Bowl

Want to take it up a notch?  How about doing some meal planning with these healthy Power Bowls?  You can find my top meal planning tips here, and check out The Pepper Planner for the meal planning (and overall life guidance / goal setting / health tracking / morning routine) solution I use!

Now it’s your turn … Do you make Power Bowls?  Do you have any favorite healthy Power Bowl recipes to share?