Since I started training for my first half-marathon, I’ve immensely changed my diet. I cut out most processed foods, breads, white grains and carbs from my diet and incorporated a slew of vegetables, eggs and (mostly) lean meats. I’m eating clean now! Since January, my body looks and feels lighter; now, when I eat unhealthy foods, my body can tell. I feel that people often forget that food is fuel, and what you eat determines how your body feels mentally and physically. Ultimately, this lifestyle change is something that I’m striving to keep up with now that my race is over.
Now that everyone is back to school, I thought I’d encourage you to cleanse your palette, too. If you’re stuck in a nutrition rut or feel that you can’t get creative, look no further. Whether you have a kitchen or you eat in the dining halls, it’s never too late to start eating healthy and clean. Ready to feel better? Here’s a round-up of my recent meals for inspiration!
Notice that the majority of these meals do not contain white grains, red meat or processed foods. I also try to cut out most grains in my meals unless I’m constantly working out; Americans consume too much bread, and I have been no exception. I love bread, but I’m trying to be better about how much I have! My solution? Just don’t buy it. That definitely helps.
Pictured at the top of post: Fresh turkey sausage salad: kale, yellow tomato, red onion, basil and turkey sausage patties. Salt + pepper if you’d like. I did.
For a snack/light lunch: Sauted veggie bowl.
Spinach, cucumbers, white onion, olive oil, salt + pepper.
For lunch: Avocado tuna salad with red onion, dijon mustard and lemon juice. I was inspired by something similar made by my good friend Angela at Nutty For Life!
For dinner: Lemon Chicken + Asparagus. I soaked the chicken in soy sauce and honey, sauted the greens with garlic and then sprinkled sesame seeds on the whole ensemble. Delicious and highly recommended! I modified the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
For dinner: I tossed strips of chicken breast with a bunch of local veggies I purchased from the Farmer’s Market. Chicken, eggplant, orange tomato, lemon cucumber, spinach, salt + pepper.
For a post-workout lunch: Protein palette. Two fried eggs, 2 turkey sausage patties, half a tomato and a half cup of spinach. Chocolate protein shake is optional, but awesome if you make one. Yum!
For a quick veggie dinner: Tortellini, pesto, kale and yellow tomato combo. This was amazing and easy to make for a group of people. My roommates and I loved the tort with pesto!
For a (heavier) dinner: Quinoa, turkey sausage patties, greens, red onion and fresh tomato. This was definitely a post-run meal for me. Very satisfying.
For a light lunch: A fried egg, spinach and greens, white onion and olive oil. Salt + pepper if you desire. I felt healthy after I ate this.
But… of course… I like to splurge occasionally, too. So I have to share that, right?
This fro-yo was TO DIE for. Peanut butter and hazelnut froyo with strawberries, kiwi, pecans and chocolate chips. I got it at Ginger, a local shop in Athens.
Anddd, of course, anyone who knows me sees this as typical. Pumpkin Spice Latte season is upon us again! I had to treat myself at our university coffee shop that brews Starbucks. It was perfection. It’s fall in a cup!
What have you been doing to eat cleaner this fall? And what do you splurge on?!
live run coffee 