What You’ll Learn in This Post

• Why balanced Buddha Bowls make brain- and gut-supportive nutrition simple, accessible, and satisfying

• How ingredients like quinoa, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas nourish focus and microbiome health

• The benefits of healthy fats, plant protein, and fiber for attention and mood regulation

• How to make a customizable sauce with just better.® prebiotic fiber for extra gut-brain support

JBB Recipe of the Week:
Brain-Powered Buddha Bowl: Feed Your Focus!

When your brain needs focus and your body needs fuel, a Buddha Bowl delivers. These colorful, buildable meals are the ultimate blend of flavor, nutrition, and flexibility—perfect for busy days when cooking a nourishing, fiber-rich meal feels out of reach.

Each component in a Buddha Bowl supports your energy and attention in a different way: complex carbs for sustained fuel, healthy fats for brain function, and plenty of fiber to support the gut microbiome—the body’s control center for mood, focus, and inflammation. And don’t forget the fermented touch! A spoonful of kimchi, sauerkraut, or a little miso in the sauce adds living probiotics that help keep the gut-brain connection strong.

For people managing ADHD or juggling long days of mental multitasking, this kind of meal structure just makes sense. You start with a base (like quinoa), layer in roasted vegetables and protein, then add textures—like avocado, nuts, or microgreens—for satisfaction. Finish it off with a sauce that ties it all together and delivers a boost of flavor and function.

What makes this Brain-Powered Buddha Bowl special is how easy it is to adapt. You can mix and match what’s on hand, try different veggies or grains, and switch up the sauce depending on your mood. It’s nutrition that flexes with your needs—no complicated rules, just real food that supports brain and gut health in one vibrant bowl.

This is a meal that works for you—nourishing your focus, energy, and microbiome all in one satisfying bowl.

Ingredient Highlight

Quinoa: A protein-rich ancient grain is naturally gluten-free and packed with magnesium and B vitamins, both essential for brain function. Its fiber content helps support a healthy gut microbiome while maintaining balanced blood sugar levels.

Sweet Potato: A source of complex carbohydrates and beta-carotene, sweet potatoes offer steady fuel for mental focus and immune support. Their natural sweetness adds comfort and warmth to the bowl while nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.

Chickpeas: Rich in both plant protein and prebiotic fiber, chickpeas are an all-star ingredient for microbiome health. They support digestion and provide a slow-release energy that helps prevent the midafternoon crash.

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli contain sulforaphane, a compound linked to cognitive protection and detoxification. Lightly steaming or roasting broccoli keeps its nutrients intact while adding color and texture.

Cabbage (Purple or Green): High in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, cabbage supports both gut and immune health. Roasting it brings out natural sweetness, while raw shreds add crunch and color contrast.

Avocado: Avocados supply monounsaturated fats that support brain function and nutrient absorption. Their creamy texture adds balance to the bowl and pairs perfectly with the miso-tahini sauce.

Carrots & Red Bell Pepper: Vibrant and vitamin-rich, these veggies bring color and crunch while offering antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C to support immune and brain health.

Slivered Almonds & Microgreens: A finishing touch of almonds adds satisfying texture and vitamin E, known for its protective effects on brain cells. Microgreens supply concentrated phytonutrients and a hint of freshness that ties the bowl together.

Fermented Flair (Miso or Kimchi): Fermented foods add beneficial bacteria to the gut. A spoonful of miso whisked into the sauce adds subtle umami, while kimchi or sauerkraut can be added on top for extra tang and probiotics. 

Brain-Powered Buddha Bowl

Yield: Serves 1 (sauce makes enough for 2 bowls)

Ingredients

For the Bowl

1 cup cooked quinoa

½ cup roasted sweet potato rounds

½ cup roasted or air-fried chickpeas

½ cup steamed or roasted broccoli florets

½ cup thinly sliced cabbage (roasted or raw)

¼ cup shredded carrot

¼ cup sliced red bell pepper

½ avocado, sliced

1 tablespoon slivered almonds

Handful of microgreens

Optional: 2 tablespoons kimchi or sauerkraut for a fermented topping

For the Sauce (Makes 2 Servings)

4 tablespoons nut or seed butter (almond, peanut, tahini, or sunflower)

1 to 2 tablespoons miso paste (white or yellow)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

4 tablespoons just better.® prebiotic fiber (adds 20 grams of prebiotic fiber to this sauce or 10g of fiber per bowl)

¼ cup warm water (adjust for desired consistency)

Directions

Prepare the base: Cook quinoa according to package directions. Fluff and set aside.

Roast the vegetables: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss sweet potato rounds, chickpeas, and cabbage with a drizzle of avocado oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through.

Steam or roast broccoli: Cook until bright green and tender, about 5–7 minutes.

Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together nut/seed butter, miso, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and just better.® prebiotic fiber. Add warm water slowly until creamy and smooth.

Assemble: In a bowl, layer quinoa, vegetables, and avocado. Drizzle with sauce, sprinkle with almonds and microgreens, and add optional kimchi or sauerkraut.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm or at room temperature. This Buddha Bowl pairs well with green tea, sparkling water with citrus, or a light kombucha for extra fermentation benefits.

Customization Tips

Swap quinoa for brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice. Mix up the veggies seasonally—zucchini and asparagus in spring, roasted beets and Brussels sprouts in winter. The sauce is equally delicious on wraps, salads, or grain bowls throughout the week.

Make-Ahead + Storage Tips

Store components separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keep sauce refrigerated in a jar—shake or stir before serving. Perfect for meal prep lunches or grab-and-go dinners.

Cooking with just better.®

Adding just better.® prebiotic fiber to the sauce gives your gut the fuel it needs to thrive—without changing flavor or texture. It blends smoothly, providing all the benefits of soluble fiber for balanced digestion, gut-brain communication, blood sugar management, and microbiome health.

Nutrition That Works

Nutrition is about simplicity and wholesome ingredients that support mind-body wellness. The Brain-Powered Buddha Bowl delivers both nourishment and flexibility, helping you feel grounded, fueled, and ready to take on your day.

💚 Feed your gut. Feed your brain. Live just better.®!