Fitness Tips

The Best Strategies For Navigating Trigger Foods

You may see my transformation below and think I have iron clad will power.  This is not the case.  I can and do succumb to tasty treats and have indulged in excess.

If this is the case, then how did I transform and how do I still maintain my results?  There are a multitude of reasons, but one of them was learning how to deal with trigger foods. 

What are trigger foods? 

They are usually ultra processed and extra tasty foods that hold the magic combo of sugar, fat and salt.  They are low in protein and low in fiber and you know the saying, “bet you can’t eat just one?”

Next are the 5 best strategies for successfully navigating trigger foods. 

  1. Don’t Buy/ Don’t Make: You can’t indulge in something that is not available.
  2. Out Of Sight/ Hide It: Constantly being reminded that a tasty treat is available makes it so much harder to exert willpower. Hide them from yourself.
  3. Swap it: Make an alternative (but similar) treat Instead that is higher in protein, fiber and nutrients. My E Cookbooks are full of swaps.
  4. Pair It: Enjoy a smaller portion along with an otherwise high volume, high fiber, high protein and nourishing meal. 
  5. Not First: Fill up on fruits, veg, and protein to start your meal.  Eating foods first that are designed to be as tasty as possible will make other foods incredibly lack luster by comparison.  In addition, if you eat these types of foods while hungry, it will easily lead to overconsumption.  If you are going to include these foods, save them for last.  

Use these strategies to help you reach your fitness goals and to help you maintain your hard earned results long term.

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

My Top 5 Healthy Fat Grocery Staples

Foods rich in healthy dietary fats promote hormonal function and are dense with  energy. They also help make your meals delicious and satisfying. But remember, a little goes a long way!

Next are my top 5 healthy fat sources and portions. Include these in your cart on your next grocery shop so you always have the ability to create amazing and health promoting meals.  

  1. Chia Seeds– 15g 75 calories 5g fat
  2. Olive Oil– 15g 135 calories 15g fat
  3. Avocado– 50g 90 calories 7.5g fat
  4. Dark Chocolate– 15g 80 calories 5g fat
  5. Natural Peanut Butter– 15g 91 calories 7g fat

2 basic guidelines for enjoying healthy fats for overall health and wellness. 

  1. We should aim for a minimum of .8g of dietary fat per kg of our total bodyweight. (or .4g per lb)
  2. 10% or less of our total calories should come from saturated fat.

Looking for ways to make these healthy fat staples a delicious addition to your meals? My E Cookbooks are loaded with recipes and meal ideas to put these ingredients to good use. Click here to learn more about me E Cookbooks “The Art Of Meal Prep For Sustainable Living Volumes 1 and 2” dedicated to meal prep and to eating well without sacrificing enjoyment or flavor.

Fitness Tips

5 Simple and Effective Nutritional Tips To Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

These simple and effective tips are the ones I follow 365. If a day doesn’t go as well as I hoped, I start fresh the next day.

1.

MAKE SURE EACH MEAL CONTAINS AT LEAST 30G OF PROTEIN.

2.

INCLUDE FRUITS AND/OR VEGGIES WITH EACH MEAL.

3.

EAT REGULARLY AND DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET TOO HUNGRY.

4.

DON’T SNACK OR NIBBLE BETWEEN MEALS.

5.

DON’T RESTRICT FOODS OR FOOD GROUPS AND YOU CAN INCLUDE FUN FOODS IN MODERATION.

Stay Consistent.

Treat yourself with kindness.

And the results will follow.

~~~

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

http://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/online-fitness-coaching/

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

http://www.instgram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Overnight Recovery Dessert Bowl

Train hard, eat well, sleep, recover, repeat.

When it comes to my dessert, meet my evening staple. I want to wake up feeling rested and ready. This is for the those with high recovery demands. It is loaded with all the good stuff to help me sleep well and recover overnight.

Makes 1 Serving

475 calories

32g protein

70g carbohydrate

7g fat

Ingredients You’ll Need:

125ml 2% milk

75g nonfat Greek yogurt

30g instant and flavored oatmeal packet

15g Whey Protein Powder

8g sugar free instant pudding mix

10g zero calorie sweetener of choice

300g fruit of choice

10g peanut butter powder or cocoa powder

pinch of salt

Optional: 10g zero calorie sweetener of choice sprinkled on top

Directions:

In a glass storage bowl, whisk together the milk, oatmeal, protein powder, pudding mix, sweetener, pinch of salt, and yogurt for 1 minute. This will help it thicken. Top with the fruit, optional sweetener and peanut butter and or cocoa powder.

Enjoy right away, in a couple hours, make in the morning or night before. If, enjoying later, store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Mix and match flavors of protein powder, pudding mix, and fruit to keep things fun!

Want to try one of my favorite protein powders to help you reach your daily protein needs and maximize your recovery? Use code MELANIE10 for 10% off your first order and use my link https://outworknutrition.com/?ref=dkNH36V5xmUfmm

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving