Gut-friendly Buddha Bowl

Buddha bowls are a tasty and convenient meal option, providing all the macronutrients your body needs in one dish. The name is inspired by the tradition of filling monks’ bowls with whatever food was available, but today’s Buddha bowls are beautifully arranged, like a work of art. They are an excellent way to ensure you are getting a balanced diet.

To create a Buddha bowl, you need to understand the key food groups, such as whole grains, lean proteins, and seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are then topped with a delicious dressing and additional ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut that are a great source of probiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to gut health; these friendly bacteria and yeasts play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms in our gut, which is essential for optimal digestion, absorption of nutrients, immune function, and even mental health. 

Having a diverse diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is composed of trillions of microorganisms that play a vital role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
Consuming a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fermented foods, can support the growth of a diverse gut microbiome, leading to better digestive and overall health. Therefore, it is important to aim for a varied and balanced diet to promote a healthy gut microbiome.

At Taymount Clinic, we encourage our patients to eat the rainbow by mixing and matching plant foods with different colours. Eating 50 different foods a week can feed at least 1,500 bacteria!

Read our ‘50 Foods Challenge’ book written by our director Enid Taylor to find out how to increase diversity!

Probiotic Buddha Bowl

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked quinoa 
• 1/3 cup garbanzo beans 
• ¼ cup ruby sauerkraut or kimchi
• 1/3 cup steamed broccoli 
• ¼ avocado 
• 1 green onion, sliced thinly
• sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup coconut yoghurt

Process:

1. In a bowl, arrange the quinoa, garbanzo beans, sauerkraut, and broccoli in sections. Top with avocado, green onion, and sesame seeds. 
2. Whisk coconut yoghurt with lemon juice. Season with salt, and serve on the side.

If you’d like to discuss your gut health, book a consultation with us.