If the old saying “You are what you eat,” is true, I’m a lot better person today than I was two months ago. During November and December, I was a weak little sugar cube, indulging on anything and everything the Thanksgiving and Christmas fairies would put in front of me. Today, after 13 consecutive days of clean eating – the most I’ve strung together in as long as I can remember without sweets or overeating – I feel more like a hearty vegetable soup or strong protein … which means I also feel like a stronger, happier runner and athlete.

On January 1 (cliche, I know), I started following the 21 Day Fix eating plan, which I will be doing for 60 days (and hopefully sticking to thereafter). On Monday, I shared with you how my workouts and training were going after 10 days into the program. Today, I thought I’d take you behind the curtain of what a day in the life of my eating looks like. In addition to the food below, I also strive to drink a minimum of 70 ounces of water each day.

Breakfast

Here’s what I typically eat for breakfast each day:

Protein smoothie (see the two smoothies I make most below) with a Vann’s whole wheat waffle toasted (plain or with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter) and coffee

• Cherry Bliss: 1 cup almond milk, 1 scoop vanilla Shakeology (or you can use 1 scoop vanilla protein powder of your choice), 1 purple container (about 1 cup) of frozen cherries – blend until smooth and creamy
• Funky Monkey: 1 cup almond milk, 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology (or you can use 1 scoop chocolate protein powder of your choice), half of a banana, 1 cup ice (this is also delicious if you omit the peanut butter on your waffle and add it in your smoothie) – blend until smooth and creamy

OR

1 scrambled egg or 4 scrambled egg whites mixed with 1 tablespoon of salsa + a serving of fruit (e.g. cup of berries, sectioned orange, etc.) + optional Vann’s whole wheat waffle toasted and coffee

If I’m running in the morning, I will have 1 hard-boiled egg with salt and a toasted frozen waffle as far in advance of my workout as possible with water. Then, when I finish my workout, I will drink one of the smoothies above to recover quickly with protein and carbs.

Lunch

For lunch, I typically eat one of the following meals:

• 1 red container (about 4 ounces) of grilled chicken breast over 1 yellow container (or ½ cup) of brown rice mixed with one cup of vegetables (whatever I have on hand or already made), topped with 2 tablespoons of freshly shredded white cheddar and 1/8 of an avocado
• 1 blue container (about 4 tablespoons) of plain hummus with a cup of sliced vegetables (red pepper, cucumber, carrots), 3 WASA crackers topped with 1 red container (about ½ cup) of 2% cottage cheese + optional fruit (e.g. grapes, apple, berries)
• 1.5 cups of homemade vegetable soup with 2-3 WASA crackers topped with several slices of white cheddar
• Salad with romaine or butter lettuce, sliced cucumbers and peppers and 1 red container (4 ounces) of grilled/roasted chicken with 1 orange container (about 2 tablespoons) of homemade dressing (made with extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, garlic, onion, pepper and oregano) – Sometimes I top with a little cheese and avocado and/or eat with WASA crackers or a piece of fruit

Snack

For a snack, I typically eat one of the following, sometimes with hot tea (caffeine-free):

• Piece of fruit
• Cottage cheese
• WASA + white cheddar (and sometimes mashed avocado)
• 20 pistachios

Dinner

Here are some of the dinners I’ve made during the past two weeks that are delicious and nutritious. I started a 21 Day Fix Recipes Pinterest board that you can follow here.

• Mexican Lasagna from Rx for Healthy Living and a green salad with homemade dressing (this Mexican lasagna is amazing!)
• Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili from Skinny Taste with a green salad with homemade dressing (I’d recommend doubling this recipe and saving some for lunches or freezing some for the following week. It’s delicious.)
• Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs over zoodles (spiralized zucchini) and/or whole wheat spaghetti with vegetables or a salad on the side
• Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
• 1 red container (about 4 ounces) of lean protein (e.g. chicken, pork tenderloin or beef tenderloin/filet) with 1-2 cups of vegetables and a 1 serving of carbs (e.g. corn on the cob, baked sweet potato, 1 yellow container (about a ½ cup of brown rice, etc.)

After Dinner “Treat”

• 1 red container (about a half of a cup) of plain Fage Greek yogurt mixed with half of a ripe, mashed banana, a dash of cinnamon and 1-3 teaspoons of peanut butter (I don’t exceed 3 total teaspoons of peanut butter a day) with caffeine-free hot tea

Because my long runs are only up to 10-12 miles right now, I’m not fueling mid-run and therefore have not needed to consume GUs. If I was training for a marathon on this plan, I would still eat one salted caramel GU for every hour of running.

What meals and snacks are you loving right now? If you’ve ever done the 21 Day Fix, what were some of your favorite 21 Day Fix recipes? Tell me about your nutrition goals.