One of the most frequently asked questions of fitness instructors and personal trainers is, “What do you eat?” For me, it is all about quick, simple, nutrient-dense meals — and it’s not always glamorous. During the work week, I opt for overnight oatmeal in the morning, salads at lunch and then something more creative at dinner.
Follow me through a week of Stay Healthy, Stay Happy eats below, and then head over to Instagram/Twitter to see even more under the #SHSHeats hashtag.
Monday: office, teach 2 virtual classes
On Monday, I like to take part in #MeatlessMonday. I’m mostly vegetarian and choose to be that way for a couple of reasons: 1. To save a little $$$, 2. Sustainability reasons/I’m picky and care about where my meat comes, and 3. I feel better when I’m not weighed down by meat. Now, don’t misinterpret that. I love a fish, chicken thighs and some good steak tips here and there. I most-frequently eat meat when I’m eating out or sharing dinner with others.
- Breakfast: Overnight oats (1/2 cup oats, 1 cup unsweetened, plain almond milk, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 1/2 banana, 5 raspberries, 1 Tbsp raw cacao nibs, 1 Tbsp sunbutter)
- Caffeination: Great tea + stevia (I have a few cups of this over the course of the morning/early afternoon)
- Snack: Raisins + almonds + walnuts (1/2 cup total)
- Lunch: Salad (spinach, 1 carrot, 1/2 cucumber, 3 Tbsp homemade lemon dill hummus, 1/4 avocado, 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 Tbsp rice vinegar for dressing)
- Snack: Apple + 2 dates
- Dinner: Smoothie bowl (raw protein, cacao powder, mint, spinach, frozen banana, water, toppings)
- Post-teaching snack: Small bowl of granola with a splash of almond milk
Tuesday: work from home, walk around the reservoir, gal pals dinner
On Tuesdays, I usually teach outdoor Zumba in Post Office Square. As of late, it seems thunderstorms love to roll in around 4 p.m. Tuesday evenings. When the rain comes, I try to get to a yoga class, go for a run or spend some solo time at the gym. A little extra me time is always nice.
- Breakfast: Overnight oats (watch my YouTube how-to)
- Snack: Raisins + almonds + walnuts (1/2 cup total)
- Snack: Chia seed pudding (1/4 cup with unsweetened coconut)
- Lunch: Salad (spinach, 1 carrot, 1/2 cucumber, 3 Tbsp homemade lemon dill hummus, 1 hard-boiled egg, sprinkle of hemp seeds 1 Tbsp ACV for dressing)
- Dinner: Gal pal dinner at my house! (wine, cheese (!), grilled chicken, grilled corn, salad
- Dessert: Gal pal dinner carries over to dessert (more wine, delish gluten-free cookie, DubSmash escapades)
Wednesday: office, lift weights, teach zumba
Zumba doesn’t start until 6:30 p.m., which gives me a little time to run errands after work or do a workout of my own. If I’m feelin’ it, I try to lift weights on Wednesdays.
- Breakfast: Overnight oats in an almost empty sunbutter jar (the best!)
- Snack:Raisins + almonds + walnuts (1/2 cup total)
- Lunch: Salad (leftover arugula salad from gal pal dinner with 1 grilled chicken thigh and 1/2 cup quinoa)
- Pre-workout snack: 1/4 cup chia seed pudding with 2 Tbsp homemade gluten-free granola
- Dinner: Creative take on shakshuka (ground turkey, egg, tomato, greens, spices)
- Dessert: Last four bites of my FoMu ice cream I’ve been saving for a special occasion (the night before teaching a 6:30am Kick It By Eliza™ class seemed appropriate)
Thursday: teach Kick It By Eliza™, office, teach Zumba
This day was one for the record books — out the door before 6 p.m., back in around 10 p.m. To get through a day like this it is ALL ABOUT THE MEAL PREP. If I didn’t prepare everything the night before, I would have easily derailed and fueled up improperly. Give your body what it needs to get through a long, taxing day. And then, treat it with a Life Alive smoothie at the end.
- Pre-workout: Half serving of Vega Protein smoothie with almond milk
- Breakfast: Overnight oatmeal (duh!)
- Lunch: Leftover shakshuka
- Snack: Hummus, carrots, cucumbers on-the-go
- Dinner: Life Alive smoothie! (another on-the-go kind of meal, I like the Carrot Cake Alive)
Friday: work from home, teach Bags+Dance
TGIF! On Friday, I sleep until I need to log on for work (usually around 8 a.m.). I move slow in the morning, cook a wholesome breakfast and tie up loose ends from the work week. What’s tough about Fridays is that the fridge starts to look sparse. See below.
- Breakfast: Warm bowl of oats on a rainy day
- Snack: Cucumber with goat cheese
- Lunch: Salad (with fixings from an empty fridge)
- Dinner: Nikujyaga
If you’re still with me, thanks for following along! It’s not always glam and Instagram-worthy, but it’s always tasty.
Stay healthy, stay happy!
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