Between parenthood, working on TV shows Dexter: original sin and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Revival (!), And juggling with the usual daily chaos (such as figuring out what is for dinner), Sarah Michelle Gellar has found strategies that make healthy eating executable – even on the busiest days.
That is what makes her such a great brand partner for the launch of MyfitnessPal’s new Grinding planner. It is a tool that she uses personally to simplify shopping, reduce food waste and to ensure that her meals support her goals. Nowadays she is much more focused on building strength than haunting weight loss – and she is all about finding simple ways to eat more proteins.
Like most of us, the goals of Sarah have evolved – she has focused more on building strength and eating sufficient proteins than something else. So when she found something that made meal planning less stressful and helped her to get balanced meals on the table faster, she was all in it. That is why she collaborated with MyfitnessPal for the launch of meal planner.
We checked in with her for a fast Q&A about how she eats to stay energetic, what’s in her lunch box on the set and the small but powerful habits that help her feed herself and her family without the stress.
How did you change the way you eat to get more proteins?
I love this question – because to be honest, small changes can really make a big difference. For me it’s all about making protein easy and effortless. I don’t do anything extreme – I am a busy mother, I need things that work in real life. So by being more aware of proteins, I started to be more aware. Now I always ask myself: “Where is the protein?” If I make a meal or snack.
A few go-tos:
- I add Greek yogurt or cottage -cheese to smoothies – it makes them creamy and gives a serious protein boost.
- I snack on roasted chickpeas or turkey rolls instead of chips.
- I exchanged my breakfast cereals for protein -rich oats or eggs in the morning.
- And I love to add hemp seeds to what I can do – yogurt, pancakes, you name it.
It’s not about being perfect – it’s about building small habits that rise. You don’t have to revise your entire diet, just sneak a small protein where you can. It ensures that I feel strong and full of energy all day.
Increasing my protein intake has become more important to me as I have included more strength training in my fitness routine.
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Sarah Michelle Gellar’s nightly oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast
Why did you start concentrating on strength training?
I wanted to feel strong. Over the years I have done all kinds of training sessions, but strength training has been a total game changer. It’s not about the appearance – it’s about being able. I want to lift my children, wear groceries and just keep track of my life.
At one point I realized that cardio was not enough. Strength training helps to protect muscles, support the health of the bone and it is great for long -term well -being. Moreover, it is empowerment – it reminds me that fitness is not about shrinking. It’s all about living.
What do you usually eat before and after a strength training?
For a training I eat something light with carbohydrates and a little protein – such as a banana with almond butter or toast with honey and some Greek yogurt. It is enough to give me energy without weighing me.
After a training I concentrate on proteins. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries and maybe some spinach is my usual. If I am really hungry, I make eggs with avocado toast or grilled chicken and vegetables. Recovery is just as important as the training itself – and good food is my way of thanking my body before appearing.
What does a typical day of food look like when you are filming?
Breakfast is usually overnight hover with almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries and almonds – something that I prepare the night before and grab on the way.
For lunch I like to bring something from home-such as a salad, wrap or my go-to Buddha bowl with brown rice, edamame, snaps, chicken fillet and a soy-fingar dressing. It lasts well if I can’t eat it right away.
Dinner? Freddie is the real cook in our house, so I am always happy to steal his leftovers to heat on the set!
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The high-protein Buddha Bowl Sarah Michelle Gellar swears by
Why is cooking at home and meal planning so important to you as a mother?
I didn’t grow up with meal planning – it’s something I learned later in life. Growing up, meal planning was not something I was familiar with. I was raised by a single parent in an apartment in NYC, where there was not much room for extensive meal preparation!
After having children, health became a greater priority. I want to be in the neighborhood for a long time and give a good example for them. I also want to have more control over what we eat and how we feed our bodies.
But let’s be honest – I don’t have endless hours to cook. Between work and parenting I need meals that are realistic. Meal planning helps me to get the best out of my time and ensures that we always have something nutritious ready – even during hectic weeks.
I don’t strive for perfection or Instagram-worthy meals. Simply healthy, executable options that match real life.
Why did you want to try myfitnesspal meal planner?
I love my Sunday routine – Farmer’s Market, then supermarket – but I came home without a clear plan. Sometimes I would buy things that I didn’t use, or I would climb midweek to find the dinner.
The idea of a tool that could help me plan meals, build efficient shopping lists and support my health goals, really appealed to me. Especially with long days on the set, it is so handy to have balanced meals ready to go – including healthy lunches that I can take with me and avoid the temptation of traditional services.
Did it really help?
Certainly. It helps me to waste less food, because I use ingredients in multiple recipes – things such as herbs or spring onions that I used to forget. I like structure in the kitchen (unlike my husband, Freddie, who is more a creative chef), and meal planner gives me the guidance I need.
I set my preferences for recipes of 30 minutes, and that made it so feasible. It supports my goals – as more proteins get now that I do strength training – and it only makes cooking cooking less stressful. I feel good that we eat nutritious meals that work for our lifestyle.
Post Sarah Michelle Gellar about strength training, meal planning and hitting her protein goals first appeared on Myfitnesspal blog.