Meal Template
Some days I just don’t feel like cooking, and I’ve got very little motivation. I’m one of those people who can eat very similar meals most of the week, so I usually try to make 1 big salad for lunches and eat it all week long. But sometimes weekends are busy and I don’t get to it - like this weekend.
So, for lunch for the next few days, I’m in a little pinch. I work from home 3 days/week and go into the office 2x/week. It’s weeks like these that I rely on my pantry/freezer staples and what I call a meal template.
A meal template is a way that I structure meals to make sure I’m getting everything I need - protein, carb, fat, fiber. Today it might look something like a tuna and chickpea salad with spinach, tomato, other vegs I have in the fridge, and a slice of toast. I really like the tuna and chickpea salad because is stretches both the beans and the tuna into a few meals. I’m getting protein from both, and the beans are providing fiber to help satiate my appetite for longer.
Here’s how I think about meals:
Protein: fish, meat, tofu, edamame
Carb: sandwich bread, tortilla, beans, potatoes, rice, pasta, oats
Fat: avocado, mayo, oils, nut butter, added nuts
Fiber: beans, leafy greens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peas, artichokes, apples, pears, oats
This template can be used for any meal and even for snacks. You want to make sure you’re hitting these 4 categories to keep you full, energized, and satisfied until the next meal or snack. It’s as basic as that.
Hope this gives you a little inspiration for the next meal or snack!
xx-Dane
