Sarah Michelle Gellar on Strength Training, Meal Planning, and Hitting Her Protein Goals

Between parenting, engaged on TV reveals Dexter: Unique Sin and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival (!), and juggling the same old each 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 companion for the launch of MyFitnessPal’s new Meal Planner. It’s a software she personally makes use of to simplify purchasing, cut back meals waste, and ensure her meals assist her targets. 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 targets have advanced—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 traumatic 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.

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We checked in along 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 truthfully, 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 want 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 severe 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 title it.

It’s not about being good—it’s about constructing little habits that add up. You don’t must overhaul your entire weight-reduction plan, simply sneak in a little bit protein the place you may. It retains me feeling robust and stuffed with vitality all day.

Rising my protein consumption has change into extra vital to me as I’ve integrated extra power coaching into my health routine.

Why did you begin focusing extra on power coaching?

I needed 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 wish to raise my children, carry groceries, and simply sustain with my life.

Sooner or later, I noticed cardio wasn’t sufficient. Energy coaching helps defend muscle, assist 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 often eat earlier than and after a power exercise?

Earlier than a exercise, I’ll eat one thing mild 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 offer me vitality with out weighing me down.

After a exercise, I deal with protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries, and perhaps some spinach is my regular. 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 properly after is my manner of thanking my physique for exhibiting up. 

What does a typical day of consuming appear to be for you once you’re filming?

Breakfast is often 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 house—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 properly if I don’t get to eat it immediately.

Dinner? Freddie’s the true cook dinner in our home, so I’m all the time completely happy to steal his leftovers to reheat on set!

Why is house 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 conversant in. I used to be raised by a single guardian in an residence in NYC the place there wasn’t a lot room for in depth meal prep! 

After having children, well being turned a much bigger precedence. I wish to be round for a very long time and set instance for them. I additionally wish to have extra management over what we eat and the way we nourish our our bodies.

However let’s be trustworthy—I don’t have countless hours to cook dinner. Between work and parenting, I want meals which are real looking. 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 wish to attempt MyFitnessPal’s Meal Planner?

I like my Sunday routine—farmer’s market, then grocery retailer—however I used to return house with out a clear plan. Generally I’d purchase issues I didn’t find yourself utilizing, or I’d be scrambling midweek to determine dinner.

The concept of a software that would assist me plan meals, construct environment friendly purchasing lists, and assist my well being targets 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 carry with me and keep away from the temptation of craft companies.

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 overlook about. I like construction within the kitchen (not like my husband, Freddie, who’s extra of a artistic chef), and Meal Planner provides me the steerage I want.

I set my preferences for 30-minute recipes, and that made it so doable. It helps my targets—like getting extra protein now that I’m doing power coaching—and it simply makes weeknight cooking much less traumatic. I really feel good realizing we’re consuming nutritious meals that work for our way of life.

The put up Sarah Michelle Gellar on Strength Training, Meal Planning, and Hitting Her Protein Goals appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.

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