Between parenting, working on television shows Dexter: Original sin and the Buffy The Vampire Slayer Revival (!), And juggling with the usual daily chaos (like understanding what is for dinner), Sarah Michelle Gellar has found strategies that make a healthy food feasible, even the busiest days.
This is what makes her such an excellent brand partner for the launch of the new MyfitnessPal Meal planner. It is a tool that she personally uses to simplify purchases, reduce food waste and ensure that her meals support her goals. These days, it is much more focused on strengthening strength than loss of weight loss – and it is finding easy ways to eat more protein.
Like most of us, Sarah’s goals have evolved – it focuses more on strengthening strength and sufficient protein consumption than anything else. So when she found something that made meals more stressing and helped her get balanced meals on the table faster, she was everything.
We checked ourselves with her for a quick-fire-answer session on the way she eats to stay energetic, which is in her lunch box on the set and small habits but who help feed herself and her family without stress.
How did you change how you eat to get more protein?
I love this question – because honestly, small changes can really make a big difference. For me, it is a question of making proteins easy and effortlessly. I am not doing anything extreme – I am a busy mom, I need things that work in real life. So I started by being more aware of the proteins. Now I always wonder: “Where’s the protein?” When I prepare a meal or a snack.
Some go-tos:
- I add Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to smoothies – it makes them creamy and gives a serious protein boost.
- I’m going to snack on roasted chickpeas or turkey roll-ups instead of chips.
- I exchanged my cereals for oat or protein -rich eggs in the morning.
- And I like to add hemp seeds to everything I can – yogurt, pancakes, you call it.
It is not a question of being perfect – it is a question of building small habits which add up. You don’t need to revise your entire diet, just sneak in a little protein where you can. It makes me feel strong and full of energy all day.
The increase in my protein intake has become more important for me because I incorporated more strength training into my fitness routine.
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Why did you start focusing more on strength training?
I wanted to feel strong. I have done all kinds of training over the years, but strength training has changed the situation. This is not the appearance – it is a question of feeling capable. I want to lift my children, go shopping and follow my life.
At one point, I realized that Cardio was not enough. Force training helps protect muscles, support bone health and it is ideal for long-term well-being. In addition, it is stimulating – it reminds me that physical form is not a decrease. It’s about living fully.
What do you usually eat before and after strength training?
Before a training session, I will eat something light with carbohydrates and a little protein – like an almond butter banana or toast with honey and Greek yogurt. Just give me energy without going.
After training, I focus on protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries and perhaps spinach is my usual. If I’m really hungry, I will do eggs with avocado toast or chicken and grilled vegetables. Recovery is just as important as training itself – and eating well after is my way of thanking my body to introduce yourself.
What is a typical day of restoration for you when you film?
Breakfast is generally overnight oat with almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries and almonds – something I prepare the previous night and take on the go.
For lunch, I love bringing something from my home – like a salad, an envelope or my bowl of Buddha with brown rice, edamame, peas, chicken breast and a soy vinegar vinaigrette. It holds well if I don’t eat it right away.
Dinner? Freddie is the real cook in our house, so I’m always happy to steal his remains to warm up on the set!
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Why are home cooking and meal planning so important for you as a mom?
I did not grow up with meal planning – this is something that I learned later in life. Growing up, planning meals was not something I knew. I was raised by a single parent in an apartment in New York where there was not much room for a preparation for in -depth meals!
After having children, health has become greater priority. I want to be there for a long time and give them a good example. I also want to have more control over what we eat and how we feed our body.
But let’s be honest – I have no endless hours to cook. Between work and parenting, I need realistic meals. The planning of meals helps me to enjoy my time as much as possible and guarantees that we always have something nutritious loan, even during the hectic weeks.
I do not live perfection or meals worthy of Instagram. Just healthy and achievable options that correspond to real life.
What made you want to try the MyfitnessPal meal planner?
I love my Sunday routine – the manufacturer’s market, then the grocery store – but I came home without a light plan. Sometimes I would buy things that I haven’t ended up using, or I’m jostling in the middle of the week to find dinner.
The idea of a tool that could help me plan meals, build effective shopping lists and support my health goals really appealed to me. Especially with long days on the set, it is so useful to have balanced meals ready to leave, including healthy lunches that I can bring with me and avoid the temptation of craft services.
Has it really helped?
Certainly. It helps me waste less food, because I use ingredients on several recipes – things like herbs or green onions that I forgot. I like the structure in the kitchen (unlike my husband, Freddie, who is more a creative chef), and the meal planner gives me the advice I need.
I defined my preferences for recipes of 30 minutes, which made him so doable. He supports my goals, like getting more protein now than I do a force training – and it makes cooking during the week less stressful. I feel good to know that we eat nutritious meals that work for our lifestyle.
The post Sarah Michelle Gellar on strength training, meal planning and achieving her protein goals appeared first on Myfitnesspal blog.
