POSTPARTUM MEAL PREP

chicken breast strips with sauteed veggie stir fry & pineapple.

i'm so motivated to get back on a more strict meal plan. i have definitely been making an effort to eat clean about 80% of the time while i've been pregnant, however this last month or so, its more like 60% ;) with my energy levels still up, i've been busy prepping meals for once eliott arrives. doesn't hurt to be prepared...no idea what is in store time-wise with this little guy! my freezer is currently stocked with 20 meals which i did in two days. aim to make 10 more this week. why do i enjoy meal prepping so much? ha!

a couple of things i learned from my imago training was to keep my meals small & frequent. i would eat 5x a day with breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks in between (200-300 cal each). given my plan is to breastfeed, i will be adding another "meal" in there to keep my supply up since on average moms burn near 500 calories breastfeeding. here are a few of my personal recommendations when it comes to prepping...

(1) purchase many, many containers. i have two different types: plastic tupperware & disposable containers. be sure what you purchase is BPA-free, dishwasher & microwave safe as well as freezable. you will go through these quickly so if you have storage space, get the big set with different sizes. & prepare yourself for lots of dishwashing...which i hate :)

(2) purchase a food scale. yup, eye-balling does not work. you don't have to spend a fortune. i purchased mine for about $15 over a year back, & it works just fine. with that said, have measuring cups & spoons as well.

(3) know your food ratios & get creative. for lunch/dinner, i aim to have 3-4oz of lean meats with either a side of veggies (2 cups) or a side of veggies (1 cup) & a side of healthy grains (1/4 to 1/3 cup). see below for some suggestions of mixing & matching. consult your nutritionist on the appropriate ratio for your personal nutritional needs.

(4) spice things up. lean meats can get dry & boring so i like to explore with seasonings -- most of which don't add much calories. mrs. dash offers great varieties. freshly squeezed lemon or hot sauce is another low-calorie option.

 below are a few of my go-to lunch/dinner items, where i mix & match to keep things appetizing.
note: this is my opinion. any dietary questions should be consulted with a physician, nutritionist or physical trainer.

lean meats (3-4 ounces)
lean ground turkey
skinless chicken breast
salmon
tilapia
shrimp

veggies (1-2 cups)
broccoli
asparagus
spinach
kale
sweet potato
avocado
brussel sprouts
bell peppers

grains (1/4 - 1/3 cup)
brown rice
farro
quinoa

i truly believe a healthy lifestyle starts with the right relationship with food...i've done it!
cheers to an achievable challenge of being a healthier version of ourselves.