Do you guys remember when bloggers used to post all of their meals and snacks practically every single day?
If you’ve been reading blogs (mainly, in the ‘healthy living’ circuit) for at least 5 years, then you may likely remember just how different they used to be (i.e., 3 blog posts per day, one for breakfast/lunch/dinner). If you’re a new(er) reader of blogs, then you likely have no idea what I’m talking about, huh?
While I could never go back to blogging 3x/day (whew!), I do often miss that different, casual style of blogging. And I also really used to love seeing what others were eating because I’m nosey AND I’ve actually discovered some really, really awesome foods from reading blog over the years.
So today, I’m going “what I ate in a day” style (also dubbed, “What I Ate Wednesday”) since many of you have asked to bring it back after sharing last week’s post. All of the eats in today’s post are from Monday, and I’ve also included my protein counts for each meal/snack, since many of you have also asked for protein ideas!
Pre-Workout Bites
1/2 of an iced oatmeal cookie Clif Z Bar
Since I do my workouts early (5:45am-ish) I’m not usually super hungry, but just having a couple bites of something seems to help with that early start time.
Protein: 0-1 grams
Breakfast
Two ingredient bagel with peanut butter + 1/2 cup egg whites + coffee with collagen and creamer
Note: I typically do 1 egg with the egg whites, since egg whites are a bit bland on their own, but we were all out.
Protein: 36 grams
Mid-Morning Snack
An iced coffee with dark chocolate almond milk + full fat (4%) cottage cheese with blueberries
I eat this snack practically every single day, and it’s a great source of protein, too!
Protein: 14 grams
Lunch
Salad with lots of veggies, leftover pork tenderloin from dinner the previous night, feta cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Jay and I really love buying the Hatfield Pork Tenderloins (the Tuscan Herb Dry Rub flavor is our favorite) because they’re just SO convenient. And they’ll also occasionally go BOGO at Market 32 so when I see them on sale, I usually try to stock up on some.
Protein: 22 grams
After-Lunch Snack
Monday was a bit of a different day, since I had to leave work early to bring Lucas to the doctor, so when I got home to pick him up, I grabbed a leftover mini Fudge Fancy cookie before heading back out the door.
These cookies are SO good! If you aren’t local and can’t get to the Cookie Factory, then you should absolutely try my Fudgy Frosting recipe. Pair it with your favorite shortbread/sugar cookie, or my Crackled Sugar Cookies. YUM!
Protein: 0 grams
Late Afternoon / Pre-Dinner Snack
Typically, I’d have an afternoon snack around 3pm-ish at work – usually something like a Luna Bar or an RXBar (Peanut Butter Chocolate is my favorite!), but because I was out with Lucas I never got the chance to have one. Knowing we were likely not going to be eating until later, I snacked on about a serving of Wheat Thins shortly after we got home.
And then enjoyed a Corona Premier out on the deck with Jay while we hung out with the boys.
Protein: 0-1 grams
Dinner
We fed the boys their dinner a little earlier and decided to wait to cook ours until they went to bed since it was getting late. So once they were finally down, Jay grilled up dinner.
Grilled chicken topped with fresh mozzarella and a tomato-avocado salsa, with sugar snap peas on the side
This dinner was SO good! Jay is way better at cooking than I am, hands down.
Protein: 29 grams
After-Dinner Snack
Coconut Cream Oikos Triple Zero Greek yogurt + mini chocolate chips + melted peanut butter
I looooove my after dinner yogurt snack/sweet! The mini chocolate chips are almost always a guarantee, but I needed some more fats in my day, so adding in the peanut butter was a perfect addition.
Protein: 19 grams
How Much Protein?
Since I know many of you have asked about getting enough protein in your day, I will say that this particular day of eats provided me with about 120g of protein (which is right about where I aim to be). It’s also SUPER important to note that just because I am aiming for 120g of protein a day, doesn’t mean that that is necessarily the right amount for YOU. I would strongly encourage you to not try to match what someone else is doing, but rather, determine what might be best for you and your own, personal goals. If you’re really curious about what might be an appropriate number for you, Emily has an awesome new program where she’ll help you set your macros and provide a free consult (for only $29!). You can check that out HERE. (<– not an affiliate, no kickbacks, etc., just wanted to share).
So there ya have it! Aside from my missing afternoon snack, this was a pretty standard day of eats for me (although our dinners are always changing!).
What’s the best thing YOU have been eating lately?!
Shashaqueefa says
I love these posts Courntey! Here’s my WIATuesday: 2 hardboiled eggs, 2 waffles with mayo and soy sauce (YUM!) and possum jerky for bfast! Lunch was a salad with carrots cucumbers and chocolate coffee beans. Dinner will be a horseradish crusted burrito with play doh cookies for dessert! Bone Apple teet!
Andrea says
Haha totally remember those days of blogging! Been following you since 2012!!! I never posted what I ate three times a day but I remember people who did and I did post a lot about pretty much nothing lol.
Courtney says
Ah yes – I remember those days! I have followed you since then :) You should do these types of posts more! I would always get inspiration and meal ideas from WIAW posts, so I miss them.
Emily says
Love love loved this post! Thank you for the inspiration! Favorite thing I have been having lately is Siggis vanilla & cinnamon yogurt with purely Elizabeth granola and whatever berries we have on hand. Such a good breakfast or snack! I also really like Beanitos black bean chips and veggies with hummus.
julie says
this looks like a pretty good day of eats! you ate a good amount with good portion sizes…these are the kind of WIAW posts i can get behind.
Michelle says
Love WIAW! Thanks for the inspiration.
Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine says
I definitely should work on getting enough protein!! Thanks for this reminder!!
Amy says
I believe you mentioned in your original post that your husband did the self-guided “Macros Made Easy” course from Emily while you did the full nutritional counseling…obviously you guys both benefitted from the personalized approach you took, but out of curiosity, what was his experience with the DIY course? Not sure I can afford the personalized option (as amazing as that would be – you are lucky your insurance covered so much!), and am considering the other (I had already heard Emily on the Fitnessista podcast, so I had already been considering it when your post came up :). Did he feel like there was enough content to make it work in his day to day planning? Thank you!
Fiona MacDonald says
I’ve actually been following one of the fitnessblender meal plans and it’s been awesome. I know I eat most of my calories in my snacks so I loved having that all laid out for me, not entirely sure how it all breaks down but I’m feeling good and less out of control with my eating as we close out summer time treats so I’m happy with that!
That days eats looks soo good!
Robyn Walsh says
This post is perfect timing because I have very recently been trying to up my protein! I am still figuring out the best way to get collagen into my diet. I need to try the kind you linked!
Cait says
Love this!! More of this!! :)
What veggies and salad dressing do you put in?
Courtney says
Veggies are almost always mixed greens, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, onions…salad dressing is usually some kind of balsamic vinaigrette. It’s my favorite!