Between parenting, engaged on TV reveals Dexter: Unique Sin and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival (!), and juggling the standard day by day chaos (like determining what’s for dinner), Sarah Michelle Gellar has discovered methods that make wholesome consuming doable—even on the busiest days.
That’s what makes her such an important model associate for the launch of MyFitnessPal’s new Meal Planner. It’s a device she personally makes use of to simplify buying, scale back meals waste, and ensure her meals help her objectives. As of late, she’s far more targeted on constructing power than chasing weight reduction—and he or she’s all about discovering straightforward methods to eat extra protein.
Like most of us, Sarah’s objectives have developed—she’s targeted extra on constructing power and consuming sufficient protein than the rest. So when she discovered one thing that made meal planning much less annoying and helped her get balanced meals on the desk quicker, she was all in. That’s why she partnered with MyFitnessPal for the launch of Meal Planner.
We checked in together with her for a quick-fire Q&A about how she eats to remain energized, what’s in her lunchbox on set, and the small-but-mighty habits that assist her nourish herself and her household with out the stress.
How have you ever modified the way in which you eat to get extra protein?
I like this query—as a result of actually, small modifications actually could make a giant distinction. For me, it’s all about making protein straightforward and easy. I don’t do something excessive—I’m a busy mother, I would like issues that work in actual life. So I began by simply being extra conscious of protein. Now I all the time ask myself: “The place’s the protein?” after I’m making a meal or snack.
A couple of go-tos:
- I add Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to smoothies—it makes them creamy and provides a critical protein increase.
- I’ll snack on roasted chickpeas or turkey roll-ups as an alternative of chips.
- I swapped my cereal for high-protein oats or eggs within the morning.
- And I like including hemp seeds to no matter I can—yogurt, pancakes, you identify it.
It’s not about being excellent—it’s about constructing little habits that add up. You don’t must overhaul your entire weight loss plan, simply sneak in a bit protein the place you possibly can. It retains me feeling robust and filled with power all day.
Rising my protein consumption has grow to be extra vital to me as I’ve included extra power coaching into my health routine.
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Why did you begin focusing extra on power coaching?
I wished to really feel robust. I’ve achieved every kind of exercises through the years, however power coaching has been a complete game-changer. It’s not about look—it’s about feeling succesful. I need to raise my youngsters, carry groceries, and simply sustain with my life.
In some unspecified time in the future, I noticed cardio wasn’t sufficient. Power coaching helps shield muscle, help bone well being, and it’s nice for long-term wellness. Plus, it’s empowering—it jogs my memory that health isn’t about shrinking. It’s about residing totally.
What do you normally eat earlier than and after a power exercise?
Earlier than a exercise, I’ll eat one thing gentle with carbs and a little bit of protein—like a banana with almond butter or toast with honey and a few Greek yogurt. It’s sufficient to provide me power with out weighing me down.
After a exercise, I deal with protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries, and possibly some spinach is my common. If I’m actually hungry, I’ll make eggs with avocado toast or grilled hen and veggies. Restoration is simply as vital because the exercise itself—and consuming nicely after is my method of thanking my physique for exhibiting up.
What does a typical day of consuming appear like for you if you’re filming?
Breakfast is normally in a single day oats with almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries, and almonds—one thing I prep the evening earlier than and seize on the go.
For lunch, I like bringing one thing from residence—like a salad, wrap, or my go-to Buddha bowl with brown rice, edamame, snap peas, hen breast, and a soy-vinegar dressing. It holds up nicely if I don’t get to eat it straight away.
Dinner? Freddie’s the actual cook dinner in our home, so I’m all the time pleased to steal his leftovers to reheat on set!
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Why is residence cooking and meal planning so vital to you as a mother?
I didn’t develop up with meal planning—it’s one thing I’ve discovered later in life. Rising up, meal planning wasn’t one thing I used to be aware of. I used to be raised by a single mum or dad in an condominium in NYC the place there wasn’t a lot room for intensive meal prep!
After having youngsters, well being turned a much bigger precedence. I need to be round for a very long time and set a great instance for them. I additionally need to have extra management over what we eat and the way we nourish our our bodies.
However let’s be sincere—I don’t have countless hours to cook dinner. Between work and parenting, I would like meals which can be life like. Meal planning helps me benefit from my time and ensures we all the time have one thing nutritious prepared—even throughout hectic weeks.
I’m not aiming for perfection or Instagram-worthy meals. Simply wholesome, doable choices that match actual life.
What made you need to strive MyFitnessPal’s Meal Planner?
I like my Sunday routine—farmer’s market, then grocery retailer—however I used to come back residence with no clear plan. Typically I’d purchase issues I didn’t find yourself utilizing, or I’d be scrambling midweek to determine dinner.
The thought of a device that would assist me plan meals, construct environment friendly buying lists, and help my well being objectives actually appealed to me. Particularly with lengthy days on set, it’s so useful to have balanced meals able to go—together with wholesome lunches I can convey with me and keep away from the temptation of craft providers.
Did it really assist?
Undoubtedly. It helps me waste much less meals, since I’m utilizing elements throughout a number of recipes—issues like herbs or scallions that I used to neglect about. I like construction within the kitchen (not like my husband, Freddie, who’s extra of a inventive chef), and Meal Planner offers me the steering I would like.
I set my preferences for 30-minute recipes, and that made it so doable. It helps my objectives—like getting extra protein now that I’m doing power coaching—and it simply makes weeknight cooking much less annoying. I really feel good understanding we’re consuming nutritious meals that work for our life-style.
The publish Sarah Michelle Gellar on Strength Training, Meal Planning, and Hitting Her Protein Goals appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
