Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High-Protein and Nutrient-Packed: Boasting 41g of protein, 20g of fiber, and 10mg of iron per serving and abundant in magnesium, B6, antioxidants, and omega-3s, this is a super nourishing meal.

Period-Friendly: This meal prep is especially beneficial during PMS or menstruation. It contains key nutrients like fiber and iron that can help alleviate PMS symptoms and cramps.

Iron Boost: this salad provides 10mg of iron per serving, it’s absorption is boosted by the added vitamin C and garlic in other ingredients.

PMS & Period Nutrition

This meal prep is great to have at any time, but it’s particularly valuable when PMSing or on your period. With fluctuating energy levels (and, let’s be honest, motivation), meal prepping is a fantastic tool to ensure you continue to stay nourished.

This salad includes key nutrients to help you feel your best. For starters, it has 41g of protein per serving to keep you energized. It also alleviates the pressure to meet your daily protein requirements, which is especially helpful on days when you don’t feel like eating much or just crave a bowl of pasta with a simple sauce (like I do!).

With 20g of fiber, it can help address the digestive issues many women report during their period. Fiber aids in regular bowel movements, and excess estrogen is excreted through these movements. Ensuring you have regular bowel movements can help alleviate PMS and cramps.

Considering 40% of women worldwide are iron deficient (primarily due to blood loss during their period), it’s beneficial for everyone, whether you’re plant-based or not, to increase your iron intake around that time. This salad, with its 10mg of iron per serving, is an excellent choice. The nonheme iron absorption is enhanced by the garlic and vitamin C present in this meal, primarily sourced from the lemon. Additionally, this salad is rich in magnesium and B6 — two crucial nutrients to incorporate more into your diet if you suffer from PMS or painful periods. It’s also loaded with antioxidants and contains omega-3s, making for a delicious anti-inflammatory combination!

And even if you don’t experience these symptoms (I’m a bit jealous but also genuinely happy for you 😅), it remains an extremely nourishing and simple salad, particularly if you’re after a meal high in protein, fiber, and iron.

Close up of the Green Goddess Meal Prep Container showing all layers inside.

Green Goddess Bowl Protein Breakdown

People are often surprised to hear that plant-based salads can pack so much protein. So here’s the protein breakdown for the main ingredients in this Green Goddess Bowl just to give you an idea of how protein-rich it is. This is for the full recipe (all 3 servings combined):

Edamame 55.4g

Nutritional yeast 28g

Sunflower seeds 14.5g

Quinoa 12.2g

Soy milk 5g

Variations and Tips

Alternative Protein Sources: If you don’t have edamame on hand or are looking for a soy-free alternative, you can use other vegan protein sources like chickpeas or butterbeans. Although their protein is lower than edamame, they are delicious and excellent alternatives.

Switch Up The Greens: While the recipe uses baby spinach and basil for the creamy green sauce, you can experiment with other greens like kale or dill. These greens offer a unique flavor profile and are packed with essential nutrients.

Grain Variations: Quinoa is a fantastic source of plant-based protein, but if you’re looking for an alternative, try using bulgur, farro, or couscous. These grains can add a different texture and flavor to your Green Goddess Bowl.

Creamy Sauce: Soaked cashews or hemp seeds are great alternatives for the creamy green sauce. Both alternatives provide a creamy texture and are staples in vegan cooking.

2 Comments

I made it. It’s very refreshing –
and tasty. I couldn’t find baby spinach so i used curly kale instead. I also added more lemon and Brazilian nuts. I will be making again.