Between parents, work on TV shows DEXTER: Original sin and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Resuscitation (!), And juggling the usual daily chaos (like finding out what’s for dinner), Sarah Michelle Gellar has found strategies that make healthy eats that can be done – even on the busiest days.
That’s what makes her such a big fire partner for the launch of MyFitnessPal’s new meal planner. It is a tool she personally uses to simplify shopping, reduce food waste and make sure her meals support her target. These days, she is far more focused on building strength than chasing weight loss – and she is about finding easy ways to eat more protein.
Like most of us, Sarah’s goals have evolved – she focuses more on building strength and eating enough protein than anything else. So when she found something that made meal planning less stressful and helped her get balanced meals on the table faster, she was all. Therefore, she collaborated with MyFitnessPal on the launch of meals.
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We checked in with her for a quick-four Q&A about how she eats to stay energetic, what’s in her lunch box on set, and the little but mighty habits that help her nourish herself and her family without stress.
How have you changed the way you eat to get more protein?
I love this question – because honestly, 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 I started with just paying more attention to protein. Now I always ask me, “Where is the protein?” When I make a meal or snack.
A few go-toos:
- I add Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to smoothies – it makes them creamy and gives a serious protein increase.
- I snack on toasted chickpeas or roll in turkey instead of chips.
- I swapped my grain to oats or eggs with high protein in the morning.
- And I love adding hemp seeds to what I can – yogurt, pancakes, you name it.
It’s not about being perfect – it’s about building small habits that are added. You don’t have to go through your entire diet, just sneak in a small protein where you can. It keeps me feeling strong and full of energy all day.
Increasing my protein intake has become more important to me as I have incorporated more strength training into my fitness routine.
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Sarah Michelle Gellars night over oats is the perfect breakfast
Why did you start focusing more on strength training?
I would feel strong. I have done all kinds of workouts over the years, but strength training has been a total game election. It’s not about appearance – it’s about feeling able. I want to lift my children, carry groceries and just follow my life.
At one point I realized that cardio wasn’t enough. Strength training helps protect muscles, support bone health, and it is great for long -term well -being. Plus, it’s authorizing – it reminds me that fitness is about shrinking. It’s about living to the fullest.
What do you usually eat before and after a strength training?
Before a workout, I eat some light with carbohydrates and some protein – like a banana with almond butter or toast with honey and a little Greek yogurt. It’s enough to give me energy without weighing me down.
After a workout, I focus on protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries and maybe something spinach is my usual. If I’m really hungry, I’ll make eggs with avocado toast or grilled chicken and vegetables. Recovering is as important as the training itself – and eating well is my way of thanking my body for emerging.
What does a typical eating day look for you when you are filming?
Breakfast is usually night over oats with almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries and almonds – something I prepare the night before and grab the speed.
For lunch I love to bring something from home-like a salad, wrapping or my go-to Buddha bowl with brown rice, edamame, snap peas, chicken breast and a soy-virgin dressing. It stops if I don’t get to eat it right away.
Dinner? Freddie is the real chef in our house, so I’m always happy to steal his leftovers to reheat on sets!
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The high protein Buddha Bowl Sarah Michelle Gellar swears by
Why is home making and meal planning so important to you as a mother?
I did not grow up with meal planning – it’s something I’ve learned later in life. Growing up, meal planning was not something I was familiar with. I was bred by a single parent in an apartment in NYC where there was not much room for extensive meals!
After having children, health became a greater priority. I will be for a long time and give a good example for them. I also want more control over what we eat and how we nourish our bodies.
But let’s be honest – I don’t have endless hours to cook. Between work and parents, I need meals that are realistic. Meal planning helps me get the most out of my time and ensures that we always have something nutritious ready – even over hectic weeks.
I am not aiming for perfection or instagram-worthy meals. Just healthy, feasible opportunities that fit real life.
What made you try MyFitnessPal’s meal planner?
I love my Sunday routine – Farmer’s market, then grocer – but I used to come home without a clear plan. Sometimes I would buy things that I didn’t end up using or I would encrypt the midweek to find out dinner.
The idea of ​​a tool that could help me plan meals, build effective shopping lists and support my health goals that really appealed to me. Especially with long days on sets it is so useful to have balanced meals ready to go – including healthy lunch packages I can bring and avoid the temptation of craft services.
Did it actually help?
Definitely. It helps me to waste less food as I use ingredients across multiple recipes – things like herbs or scallions that I used to forget. I like the structure of the kitchen (unlike my husband, Freddie, there is more of a creative chef), and meal planner gives me the guidance I need.
I put my preferences for 30 minutes of recipes and it did so feasible. It supports my goals – like getting more protein now that I’m doing strength training – and it just makes weekday cooking less stressful. I feel good about knowing that we eat nourishing meals that work for our lifestyle.
The post Sarah Michelle Gellar about strength training, meal planning and hitting her protein goals first appeared on the MyFitnessPal blog.