Between parenting, engaged on TV reveals Dexter: Unique Sin and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival (!), and juggling the same old day by 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 excellent model associate for the launch of MyFitnessPal’s new Meal Planner. It’s a instrument she personally makes use of to simplify buying, cut back meals waste, and ensure her meals assist her objectives. Lately, she’s far more centered on constructing power than chasing weight reduction—and she or he’s all about discovering straightforward methods to eat extra protein.
Like most of us, Sarah’s objectives have advanced—she’s centered extra on constructing power and consuming sufficient protein than anything. So when she discovered one thing that made meal planning much less traumatic and helped her get balanced meals on the desk sooner, 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 really like this query—as a result of truthfully, small adjustments actually could make an enormous 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 at all times ask myself: “The place’s the protein?” once I’m making a meal or snack.
A number 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 a substitute of chips.
I swapped my cereal for high-protein oats or eggs within the morning.
And I really 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 loss program, simply sneak in a little bit protein the place you may. It retains me feeling robust and stuffed with vitality all day.
Growing my protein consumption has turn into extra essential to me as I’ve integrated extra power coaching into my health routine.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s In a single day Oats Are the Excellent Make-Forward Breakfast
Why did you begin focusing extra on power coaching?
I needed to really feel robust. I’ve carried out all types of exercises over time, however power coaching has been a complete game-changer. It’s not about look—it’s about feeling succesful. I need to carry my youngsters, carry groceries, and simply sustain with my life.
In some unspecified time in the future, I noticed cardio wasn’t sufficient. Energy coaching helps shield 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 dwelling totally.
What do you often eat earlier than and after a power exercise?
Earlier than a exercise, I’ll eat one thing gentle 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 provide me vitality with out weighing me down.
After a exercise, I give attention to protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries, and possibly some spinach is my typical. If I’m actually hungry, I’ll make eggs with avocado toast or grilled rooster and veggies. Restoration is simply as essential because the exercise itself—and consuming properly after is my approach of thanking my physique for displaying up.
What does a typical day of consuming appear like for you while 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 really like bringing one thing from dwelling—like a salad, wrap, or my go-to Buddha bowl with brown rice, edamame, snap peas, rooster breast, and a soy-vinegar dressing. It holds up properly if I don’t get to eat it instantly.
Dinner? Freddie’s the actual cook dinner in our home, so I’m at all times glad to steal his leftovers to reheat on set!

The Excessive-Protein Buddha Bowl Sarah Michelle Gellar Swears By
Why is dwelling cooking and meal planning so essential 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 acquainted with. I used to be raised by a single mum or dad in an condominium in NYC the place there wasn’t a lot room for in depth meal prep!
After having youngsters, well being turned an even bigger precedence. I need to be round for a very long time and set instance for them. I additionally need 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 infinite hours to cook dinner. Between work and parenting, I want meals which might be practical. Meal planning helps me benefit from my time and ensures we at all times 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 need to attempt MyFitnessPal’s Meal Planner?
I really like my Sunday routine—farmer’s market, then grocery retailer—however I used to come back dwelling and not using a clear plan. Typically I’d purchase issues I didn’t find yourself utilizing, or I’d be scrambling midweek to determine dinner.
The thought of a instrument that would assist me plan meals, construct environment friendly buying lists, and assist my well being objectives 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 truly assist?
Undoubtedly. It helps me waste much less meals, since I’m utilizing substances throughout a number of recipes—issues like herbs or scallions that I used to neglect about. I like construction within the kitchen (in contrast to my husband, Freddie, who’s extra of a inventive chef), and Meal Planner offers me the steering I want.
I set my preferences for 30-minute recipes, and that made it so doable. It helps my objectives—like getting extra protein now that I’m doing power coaching—and it simply makes weeknight cooking much less traumatic. I really feel good figuring out we’re consuming nutritious meals that work for our way of life.
The put up Sarah Michelle Gellar on Energy Coaching, Meal Planning, and Hitting Her Protein Targets appeared first on MyFitnessPal Weblog.