In ADVICE + THOUGHTS, FITNESS

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I’m pretty consistent with what I buy at the grocery store. My schedule is unpredictable, so I like to stock my fridge with quick snacks/meals that are easy to eat before running out the door or between meetings throughout the day. I’m definitely more of a ‘snacker’ than someone who eats 3 big meals… but it just depends on the day.  I went to the grocery store last night and took pictures of what’s on my grocery list for this week to share with you guys.

I wouldn’t consider myself extremely healthy, but I definitely love healthy foods – especially fruits and veggies. I’m a firm believer in portion control and everything in moderation (influenced by Nani on this!). In the past whenever I’ve tried to diet or do Whole 30, I’ve found myself craving the things I shouldn’t be eating even more which lead to over-indulging. So, I typically just try to be conscious of the balance of food I’m putting in my body.

Go-to snack ideas I eat throughout the week…


Overnight Oats:

This is one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast during the week. I put all of the ingredients below into a mason jar and shake it until it’s completely blended. You’re supposed to let this sit in the fridge overnight, but I don’t like how thick it gets so I make these in the morning and put them in the fridge for only about 20 minutes before eating.

1 cup Oats

1 tbsp Chia Seeds

1 cup Milk of choice (I use 2%)

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt

1 tbsp Honey

1 tbsp Peanut Butter

Blueberries

Peaches and Cottage Cheese:

This has always been one of my favorite snacks. And peaches are definitely one of my favorite foods. I’ll eat this in between meals or as a late breakfast. It’s filling and light.

Salami + Cream Cheese Rollups:

Do I eat like a 5 year old? Sometimes. I usually get salami from the deli but it was closed last night because I got there too late so I had to get packaged salami this week. I put a thin layer of whipped chive cream cheese on top of the salami and roll them up for a really easy snack.

Hardboiled Eggs:

When it comes to meal prep or packing a lunch, hard-boiled eggs are the way to go.  I make a bunch of them at the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge. These are great because they’ll last all week. Here’s exactly how to cook the best hard boiled eggs.  Add a little bit of flaky salt and pepper or try a spicy kick by sprinkling it with chili powder and garlic salt.

Apples, Bananas, and Peanut Butter:

This one’s pretty basic, but it’s always a healthy and filling snack. Sometime’s I’ll do a whole grain english muffin toasted with peanut butter and banana slices. And I love honey-crisp apples with peanut butter. I use the Jif natural peanut butter.

Rice Cakes + Almonds:

Both of these are great for packing with you if you’re on the go. Quaker’s whole grain chocolate rice cakes are the best! And the Blue Diamond lightly salted almonds are my favorite.

Heavy Whipping Cream with my coffee:

My best friend Linds is a registered dietitian and she always drinks heaving whipping cream with her coffee (so does Nani). She says it has lots of healthy fat to fuel your brain and keep you feeling full throughout the morning… so I trust her! I do regular coffee in the Nespresso machine every morning with cream.

Hot Water with Lemon:

Not that this is a snack, but it’s just a good relaxing palette cleanser that I like to do first thing in the morning or after dinner. It warms you up (I’m always cold 🤷🏼‍♀️) keeps you hydrated and provides electrolytes to your body. It also helps reduce joint and muscle pain – for my other ex cheer/gymnast girls (or any former athletes)!

Other meals and snacks for the week that aren’t pictured…


Granola Bowl:

This and oatmeal are my other favorite breakfasts. Ingredients for this are:

Greek Yogurt (I’ve been getting single Chobani cups)

Granola (right now I have maple cranberry granola)

Strawberries

Blueberries

Honey

*

Spinach Smoothie (I’ve put this on my story a couple times):

Half of an apple

Half of a peeled orange

Half of a banana

1 cup of spinach

1 scoop of ice + a splash of water

*

Protein Pancakes:

Kodiak Cakes Mix (buy it here)

1 egg

Milk (or water)

rX bar nut butter on top (syrup substitute)

*

Greek Salad:

Whisk the following ingredients together, toss, and it’s ready to go. I keep this in Tupperware in the fridge and eat it for lunch throughout the week.

3 Large Tomatoes cut into medium pieces

2 Cucumbers sliced

1 small red onion thinly sliced

Handful of black Greek olives, pitted

200g Feta Cheese, crumbled

4 tablespoons olive oil

Ground black pepper to taste

This dressing

*

No Bake Oatmeal Balls:

These are my go-t0 healthy(ish) snack. Rachel always made these for us in Chicago and we’d keep them in a container in the fridge. Add everything below into a medium bowl and mix. Stick the bowl in the fridge and let it chill for about half an hour. This resting time helps to ensure that the balls will stick together when rolled. Then, take a tablespoon of the mixture in your hand and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining oat mixture. Store in a container in the fridge for up to 1.5 weeks.

1.5 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder (about 2 scoops)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 T chia seeds

1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter

3 T honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup chocolate chips

*

Beef Patty with Cheese:

You’ve probably noticed I’m not much of a meat eater. I’m not a vegetarian, but most of the time meat just doesn’t sound that appetizing to me. Sometimes I’ll make beef patties with cheese & toppings for an easy lunch or dinner (with whatever sides I’m in the mood for, fries…green beens…depends on what I’m in the mood for haha). Mix patty ingredients below in bowl. Form individual patties, then cook in skillet for 5-8 minutes per side until desired doneness (I like mine medium). Add additional toppings after.

1 pound ground beef

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp garlic powder

Salt + pepper to taste

6 slices of cheese (I use sharp cheddar)

Toppings: tomato + onion


Answering your questions from Instagram:

Do you follow a specific diet: 

As I mentioned above, I don’t really have a specific diet. That hasn’t been sustainable for me in the past and I’ve found it way more beneficial to have a small amount of whatever I’m craving in the moment without going overboard. I think balance is everything when it comes to food. I eat healthy for the most part and I’m very conscious of when I get off track because I instantly start to be feel groggy and uncomfortable. I do ALWAYS eat breakfast first thing in the morning.

Foods/things I try to avoid:

Putting too much sauce/salt/dressing on food. Eating late dinners. Sugary drinks. Fast food. Fried food. Flavored coffee drinks.

Do you count calories?

That would make me go crazy.

3 Big meals or little meals throughout the day:

Like I mentioned, I always have breakfast right when I wake up (otherwise I get shaky and can’t have coffee until during/after I eat). I’ll have a small lunch/snack and another snack again before dinner. I usually don’t eat dinner until about 8:00. This is typically always a big meal. If I eat dinner a little earlier, I’ll have a healthy snack later in the night if I’m working late.

How often do you work out?

Lately I’ve been doing 3 mild workouts during the week. You can find my go-to exercises I’ve been doing since my gymnastics and cheerleading days in this section of my blog. I’ll be doing an updated core workout soon – that’s always been my favorite type of workout.

What’s more important, diet or exercise?

I’ve always stood by the 80-20 rule. 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. Both diet and exercise compliment each other and you can’t have one without the other. Without exercise, you can’t burn calories. And without food, you won’t have the desired energy to workout.

How do you maintain a healthy diet while attending so many events?

I attend A LOT of events with really tempting food and drinks during the week. My tip is to eat dinner at home before you go and to milk one drink.

Any tips prior to prepping for a big event or trip?

WATER – drink it all day long. SLEEP – get 8 hours. And never skip meals. Your skin, hair, and body will be happy.

Healthy restaurants/lunch options:

My go-to’s right now are Sweetgreen, By Chloe, Panera, Pret a Manger, and Chipotle (veggie bowl with brown rice).

How often do you drink and what you drink:

I’ve always had horrible hangovers…which has a blessing and curse. So in other words I’m a lightweight, haha. I can usually only have 1 or 2 drinks unless I want to pay for it the next day 😂My typical drink orders: tequila soda with lime, a glass of champagne, spicy margarita, pinot noir, or a dirty martini.

Daily supplements/vitamins:

I take Nature’s Bounty hair skin and nails gummies and natures and Olly Women’s multivitamins.

How often to you go to the grocery store?

Once a week usually on Sunday. I go to my local market (Jubilee) and sometimes order online with Instacart.

Healthy after dinner snacks:

The oatmeal balls above are great for after dinner. My favorite after dinner snack though is Talenti’s Raspberry Sorbet – if I want something sweet after dinner I’ll just a have a little bit of this. It’s made of pure cane sugar (not high-fructose corn syrup), dairy free, vegan, gluten Free, and fat free. But mainly it’s just really good 😂I also like to night time tea or hot water with lemon before bed.

Guilty pleasures:

Candy and french fries. I’m not gonna lie, I’m obsessed with candy and I’m trying to get better about it. But this is what’s in my candy drawer right now (yes I have a candy drawer): gushers, peach rings, blow pops.

Tip for holding yourself accountable when you’re trying to stay fit?

The second your jeans start to feel uncomfortable, you know you better get your 🍑 to the gym & stock your fridge with healthy food, lol.

What do you drink other than water? 

I’ve been drinking flavored carbonated water (no sugar). I like Bubly & Perrier.


I hope this list helps! Thank you guys for sending all your questions and for checking in tonight to read! Also, I’m looking for someone to follow for daily workout inspiration – leave any suggestions in my IG post tonight!

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Showing 10 comments
  • Caitlin
    Reply

    Eek Jubilee is the best in NYC! I live in a different neighborhood now and miss it haha. Thanks for sharing a realistic healthy diet!

  • Amanda
    Reply

    AMAZING list!!!! I’m more of a snacker, and not a vegetarian either, but I noticed I don’t eat a lot of meat throughout the day. And definitely switching to heavy whipping cream with coffee!

  • Steph
    Reply

    I love this and how simply put you made it!! Diet doesn’t have to be ridiculous! I struggle with candies too! 🙈 thank you for sharing such great snack ideas! I think that’s a key to not binging and keeping blood sugar levels under control before I go eat half a bag of twizzlers! Lol Going to have to try the heavy whipping cream also! 😍

  • Molly
    Reply

    You are the only person I’ve ever heard of that also enjoys tequila soda with lime beside me! Tequila soda with two limes for me please ☺️

  • Jenny
    Reply

    Whitney Simmons on IG and YouTube. She’s amazing! So inspiration and literally has a heart of gold. Love this list!!!

  • Natalie
    Reply

    Follow Kelsey Wells on IG for workouts! You can also download the Sweat app to get her and the Kayla workouts. She makes easy/doable workouts, and often posts videos of stuff!

  • Brianna
    Reply

    Awesome tips! I love cottage cheese and peaches 🙂
    Brianna | http://briannamarielifestyle.com/

  • Kelsie
    Reply

    Omg same!!! My boyfriend says I’m like a goat because I just snack on fruit, grains, and veggies all day! haha

    Also, I follow Natalie Bally (@nattbfit) on IG and I save all of her workouts, she does a lot of core exercises also!

    <3 Kelsie B&B

  • Sarah
    Reply

    Love these snack ideas! Also, I started getting hangovers as I got older but now that I take Juice Plus I don’t anymore. They’re just dehydrated vegetable juice and I think the extra nutrition helps my body process the alcohol better

  • Kit
    Reply

    My guilty pleasure are French fries tooo!! Which ones are your fave ?! Mine are the shoe string fries. Back to the healthy grocery shopping comment I was going to leave lol! I have to agree, I like to count calories either, I use MyFitnessPal app to count a variety of factors. I’m going to try all your meals to switch it up this week! Love reading your posts (:
    Kit from http://www.kitstanwood.com

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