What I Eat In A Day
If you’re anything like me, you LOVE food…and I mean loooooove. But having a love affair with food might pose a problem for your waistline (whoops!). That’s why I’ve worked really hard to incorporate a better, healthier diet into my life. The good news is that you don’t have to deprive yourself— everything in moderation is doable! Plus, I’ve found some really great options for curbing that darn sweet tooth, or hitting that salty craving, without breaking the calorie bank.
I spend a lot of time at Trader Joe’s, I love everything they have! I like that most of it is fairly healthy and that they swap out meal options and ingredients seasonally. We just moved closer so we’re dangerously close to a TJ’s. Good problems.
Eating healthy is only one component of a healthy lifestyle…don’t forget about physical health like exercise, and mental health too! But for today, let’s focus on meal ideas to get you going on the right foot.
Here’s some suggestions from my own arsenal of healthy food options throughout the day:
Breakfast
Recipe to make these yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bites
Breakfast is super important since it gets your brain and body in motion and jumpstarts your energy for the day. Have you ever felt just blahhh or sluggish in the morning? Choosing a balanced breakfast will help curb your hangriness in the mornings and provide you with all the energy you need to start the day.
Eggs.
Try adding more healthy fats and protein to your breakfast. I LOVE using eggs—whether they’re scrambled, over easy, sunny side up, you name it!—because they’re packed with protein that keeps you fuller longer. Add a side 0f fresh fruit and get ready to take on the day!
Oatmeal.
Another awesome breakfast idea is oatmeal. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the overnight oats trend…well, whether you do ‘em overnight or make ‘em fresh in the morning, oats are the way to go! Super healthy, and you can make them super tasty too. Add some fresh or frozen fruit like berries, peaches, or banana for some extra sweetness. YUM! If you don’t have time to make your own, you can find so many packaged options (in a gazillion flavors!) in the perfect little containers for a single serving. I love using Purely Elizabeth oatmeal cups for a quick breakfast swap, bonus they’re super cute and colorful!
Smoothies.
Heavy breakfasts not your thing? Try a smoothie that you can sip on over your morning routine or even on your commute to work. I love adding a little protein powder to my smoothies, this helps curb cravings later. You can essentially add whatever you want to a smoothie, but some of my favorites are almond milk, Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, and spinach. A magic ingredient is chia seeds—you can’t even taste them but they’re full of healthy nutrients, protein and fiber.
Lunch
Avocado Toast.
When you eat a filling breakfast made from healthy ingredients, chances are you won’t be starving for lunch. My breakfasts usually tie me over for a while, so I prefer to have a lighter lunch. One of my go-to options is a piece of wheat toast with avocado (can you literally hear me salivating!?). Sprinkle with a Everything But The Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s, and voila! If you’re feelin’ fancy, add a few chopped baby tomatoes for extra veggies.
One thing I started doing recently, mostly to cope with the cold, is grilling my avocado toast. I guess we could call it a grilled avocado sandwich… I put a layer of pesto or cheese on the side of the bread before putting the mashed avocado on a buttered pan and grilling. Pair it with your favorite soup in the winter!
Mixed Green Salad with Protein.
If you’re craving something new, I also love to have a small salad with protein in the middle of the day. Try chicken or fish, along with a light dressing for a yummy boost at lunchtime. Not to filling to make you tired for the afternoon hours.
Mix it up!
What I love about all of these healthy meal ideas is that so many can be interchanged throughout the day. So if you didn’t eat your oats or smoothie for breakfast, have them for lunch instead! A smoothie makes a great lunch idea, along with some healthy nuts like almonds.
Snacks
Pita Chips and a Light Dip.
For a mid-afternoon snack, I’m obsessed with chips and dips. I have learned to substitute fried chips with pita chips or whole wheat alternatives. My go to dip is usually hummus or guacamole. Trader Joe’s has a great “reduced guilt” guacamole option!
Seasoned Popcorn.
Popcorn is one of my favorite, lightest snacks. Because it’s totally deeeelish, filling, low-cal, and customizable. That’s right. Add a sprinkle of whatever you want. I like simple salt-and-pepper with a squeeze of lemon. Or: a touch of rainbow sprinkles— it feels celebratory! Oh, and pumpkin spice is never off the table. It doesn’t matter what season we’re in; pumpkin spice mix always always always goes with popcorn. Don’t judge it ‘til you try it!
Pro tip: (That’s right, I’m a popcorn professional. #bosslady?? Right??) Pop some homemade popcorn over the stove. Skipping the microwave on this one means you can cut out all of that added butter and artificial flavors that come along with so many popcorn brands. And you know what? Making popcorn in a pot could not. be. easier. You got this!
Need more snack ideas?!
I have some of my other favorite snack options here.
Dinner
Chicken + Veggies.
You’ve reached the end of the day and now it’s dinner time! It’s important to fill up on healthy ingredients at dinner so you can resist snacking before bed. Some of my favorite meals for dinner revolve around lean meats (like chicken) and veggies. There’s SO many ways to cook chicken so you don’t get bored—baking, grilling, crockpot—and play around with seasonings to give each dinner a new twist.
I love to roast a variety of vegetables depending on the season or what I’m in the mood for. Right now I’m loving roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, yummmy. I follow these tips when roasting veggies.
You can also use leftovers for lunch throughout the week #MealPrep win!
DIY Rice Bowls with Veggies.
Not a veggie lover? An easy way to ease yourself into trying new vegetables is by roasting them in the oven. Sprinkle veggies with some olive oil and sea salt, and then watch as the heat caramelizes the veggies, giving them an irresistible taste.
Zucchini Pasta.
Another great dinner idea is pasta….but hold your horses….healthy pasta isn’t just any pasta. Grab the whole wheat version for a healthier option. Or, try using vegetables (yes, you heard me right) as a noodle replacement! Zucchini is a popular choice that you can turn into spaghetti or even lasagna! I’ve seen some amazing zucchini pesto pasta recipes online that I’ve got bookmarked for a rainy day!
So there you have it—healthy meal ideas for the whole day. There are so many great recipes out there to choose from, and it just takes a bit of dedication and willingness to try new things. Eating healthy is such an important part of life, and I promise you’ll feel amazing results from making even small changes to your diet. Oh, and don’t forget about water! Bon appetit, y’all!
xo,
Dani
