Chris O.Meal planning can be difficult. We have an ambitious plan to shape our diet and our physique, but sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. Whether it is because when you are eating purely for health benefits it can be unsatisfying and arduous work, or it’s just that you simply miss your tried and true favorites, it’s hard to stick to these plans in the long-term. That is why it is important to mix things up. In addition to having balanced meals, which provide you with the nutrition, vitamins, and minerals you need to keep going at peak physical shape, you also need some more realistic options, which are easier to eat and that you can look forward to throughout your day. Having a mix of balanced and realistic meal options can help you stick to a diet for longer (ideally perpetually), and that is exactly why it has worked so well for me. Here are some of the meals (both balanced and realistic) that I eat on a daily basis.
Yogurt and Oats (Balanced)
Both yogurt and oats are a mainstay in my kitchen. When combined, they make for a finely balanced meal full of protein, fiber, fat, and all matter of nutrients and vitamins. To top it all off, it’s incredibly delicious. Here is a simple, easy-to-follow recipe for yogurt and oats.
Ingredients
1/2 cup oats
1/2 banana
1 tsp salt
1 cup water
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 tbsp jam
1 tbsp peanut butter
Directions
Combine oats, banana, and salt in a bowl. Add water and stir. Cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Stir ingredients until distributed evenly. Add Greek yogurt, jam, and peanut butter into the oatmeal and stir until all ingredients are mixed.
Recipe inspired by allrecipes.com
Buttered Noodles (Realistic)
This is a simple and delicious meal that can be tuned to your caloric and dietary preferences. The type of noodles (whether traditional or produced from vegetables, ala zoodles), whether or not you add a protein, and how much butter you decide to imbue them with. Basically, the world is your oyster… or decadent dish of pasta… however you want to look at it, it works.
Ingredients
16 oz fettuccine noodles
6 tbsp chopped butter
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
Directions
Fill a large pot with water. Add some salt to the water for taste. Bring the pot to a boil. Stir in your noodles. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until noodles are soft but still chewy enough to eat and enjoy. Drain the water from the pot, and then add the noodles back to the pot. Add in 6 tbsp chopped butter and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, as well as salt and pepper for taste. Mix until ingredients are combined evenly.
Recipe inspired by allrecipes.com.
Conclusion
We all deserve a healthy middleground. Mixing in meals that are healthy and serve a vital purpose in our diet regimen with meals that we simply want to eat, and that can be made as decadent as we want them, is the way to go. The key to sticking to a diet is having that diet work for you, and being able to counterbalance meals you need to eat to meet micros and macros with those you want to eat and will enjoy having.
This makes it so you can go out on dates, eat out with friends, and enjoy your life. You don’t have to ditch your decadent favorites. You just have to know when you can have them, and when you should be balancing out your diet with other, healthier and more beneficial food options. After all, your body is an engine, and it needs the proper fuel to keep running smoothly. If you would like more articles about lifestyle, nutrition, or wellness topics, feel free to give our other blogs a read!
