PowerAbs in The Kitchen-A
PowerAbs in The Kitchen-A
PowerAbs in The Kitchen-A
Do not start this program if your physician or health care provider advises against it.
This book offers health and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only.
You should not rely on this information as a substitute for nor does it replace professional medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always
consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
The reader assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health
conditions or concerns, before starting a new diet or health program.
The writer(s) and publisher of this book are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences
resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or procedures undertaken hereafter.
It is so exciting that you have decided to take the leap towards a stronger core in 30 days.
While Kari’s workouts are guaranteed to strengthen your core, in order to maximize your results, you must
also optimize your nutrition over the next 30 days. This is why I collaborated with Kari and her team to create
this nutrition guide. As a team, we want to help you achieve the results we know are possible through the
combination of good nutrition and Kari’s amazing PowerAbs program. Working with a Registered Dietitian,
like myself, was critical for the team to ensure that the nutrition advice provided in this guide will not only
get you the results you want, but will also help you be healthier at the end of 30 days. This plan has no
gimmicks or fads. It is solely focused on quality, real food nutrition.
Ready to start the journey towards a healthier you with strong, beautiful abs?
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A healthy diet is the foundation of good health. Without it, we lack energy and focus. It is the fuel that moves
us. As far as I am concerned, every meal you eat is the most important one of the day!
Because of this, I am so excited to bring PowerAbs In The Kitchen to you! I know how important great
nutrition is and fueling your body is just as important as exercise. In many ways our relationship with food is
just as important as the amount of time we spend working out.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am big into my nutrition. I love to eat but I am also intrigued by human
health and performance.
What you probably don’t know is that I hold a degree in Movement Science, which is in the School of
Kinesiology, from the University of Michigan. While studying for my degree, I covered anatomy, physiology,
motor control and the mechanics of motion. I studied the body, how it works and what makes it tick.
Nutrition is a vital part of that.
My interest in health, food, and nutrition started early for me. My parents are both into fitness and lead
healthy lives, so movement and healthy meals have always been a part of my life.
I have also been physically active my whole life so I was always interested in knowing everything that went
into how I can be better in my sport. Knowing how the human body works, moves, and uses energy is
important to understand if you want to reach your full potential in whatever physical activity you’re doing.
This was true for me as a child and is still true for me today!
I began my love of fitness and health when I started doing gymnastics at a very young age. I loved
everything that the sport taught me that I could carry into my life now including discipline, hard work, time
management, working with others, challenging yourself, and the list goes on.
What I also learned during this time was that it was very easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits.
While I loved gymnastics as a sport, the one thing that I experienced during these years that helped shape
my eating habits was coaches telling young girls they were overweight or needed to lose weight.
Unfortunately, I know gymnastics is not the only sport this happens in. Dance, track, figure skating,
wrestling, cheerleading are a few other examples where athletes had to go on strict unhealthy diets in
order to achieve an “optimal weight” for the sport. This is devastating because it usually happens when the
athletes are at such a vulnerable age, aka those teenage years.
For me, it happened when I was 15. On my 15th birthday, I went to Florida with my family. When I came
back, my coach asked me if I had dessert while I was gone. When I replied, “yes, I had a Friendly’s ice cream
sundae for my birthday”, he responded, “I can tell”.
Luckily, I have amazing parents who noticed that I was beginning to lose a little weight. I told them what
happened and they said my coach was just joking even though I knew differently. They told me I should not
let him influence me like that and they were right!
Unfortunately, I was not the only one that faced this behavior from my coach.
One of my teammates developed anorexia from that coach telling her she was looking a bit “hefty” one day
at practice.
I will never forget it because she was such an incredible gymnast and kind person. She began slowly losing
weight and suddenly couldn’t do movements that were generally easy for her anymore. Her parents ended
up pulling her from gymnastics and sending her to Arizona to seek medical treatment for anorexia.
It was really hard watching all of this happen and my heart sank for her.
These are just two examples of how someone’s eating habits can change for the worse due to someone
else’s thoughts and opinions.
Sadly, high school was not the only time in my gymnastics career I was faced with nutrition problems. The
next time, I created the issue myself.
When I was a freshman in college, I took it upon myself to eat as healthy as possible because I wanted to
perform at my best. At the time, I thought that meant being as lean as possible.
I am not sure exactly how many calories I was eating but it probably was around 1800 a day. I ate a lot of
veggies, fruits, and lean proteins. I would also indulge in soft serve ice cream almost every night for dessert.
However, remember I was very active and doing 3.5-4 hours of gymnastics practice a day.
It was in the second half of the season that I noticed my gymnastics routines were becoming harder for me
to do.
One day at practice my coach commented, “You have no body fat. Are you eating enough?”
I didn’t want to admit that I had just been really watching what I ate because I wanted to be super lean, not
realizing it would impact my performance. She told me that I needed to gain some weight. I started eating
more, even if that meant getting up in the middle of the night for a sandwich, which is what I did for a bit. I
finished out the season and was able to gain weight by the next year.
To be honest, thinking back to this time, I wanted to be lean because it was how society said women
should be.
I was totally in control because I was away at college. Many people gain 15 pounds when they move away
from home but I went in the other direction because I wanted to be thinner.
If I could rewind time, I would teach my 18 year old self what I know about nutrition. I would not let myself
fall into the traps of what the public says women should look like. With all of that being said, I am truly
thankful my coach pointed out that something was wrong and I was able to get back on track without much
damage being done.
After finishing my gymnastics career, I still ate like I did when I was doing gymnastics just a little less,
because I was not nearly as active. I trained by just weightlifting for a bit before I decided to do something
that was way out of my comfort zone.
We all have experiences in our lives that really help open our eyes. For me, one of those experiences was
doing a physique competition. It really opened my eyes about nutrition and forced me to dial in what I put
into my body.
I thought I was eating healthy but it wasn’t until I was 23 when I started working with a coach that I realized I
was wrong. I made healthy choices but there was a lot of room for improvement.
My coach quickly cleaned up my food choices because I only had a couple of months to get ready for my
show. He told me that I wasn’t allowed sugar, alcohol, or even diet soda (which was honestly the hardest
thing for me to give up).
Though it was really difficult at first, I began to lean out and feel better. The changes I made were working!
My body stopped craving junk food. I wanted eggs and oatmeal instead of cookies and ice cream.
It was then that really opened my eyes to food being fuel for my body!
After the physique competition, I continued to follow a similar eating plan because I noticed that sticking
with clean, whole foods made me feel and look my best for everyday life. I was working out about an hour
to an hour and a half a day. While I did not have anything I was training for at the time, I just wanted to be
healthy and feel good.
In November 2014, I started CrossFit and my training intensity picked up. I ate similarly to how I did when I
was training for my physique competition but increased my calories because I was working out more.
In May 2015, a nutrition company approached me and asked if I would like some guidance in that area to
truly improve my nutrition.
Since I always want to continue to learn as much as possible, I thought it would be interesting to see how
they would change my diet. My carbs increased, protein was decreased, and fat stayed about the same. This
was very interesting to me but soon I noticed my performance in the gym improved because I had more
energy from eating more carbs.
As many are, I was a bit hesitant to increase my carbs because I did not want to get fat. I trained hard for
the lean body that I had and I did not want that to change because all of a sudden I was eating too many
carbs. However, the opposite happened! My performance was better and I began to lean out so my abs were
popping. It is very important to eat the right things at the right time so the calories can act as fuel rather
than being stored as fat.
I know the importance of eating right in order to be healthy and get the most out of my workouts. Way too
many hours are spent working hard in the gym not to then follow it up with feeding my body exactly what it
needs. Plus it makes me look better when I am at the beach too, so I make sure healthy eating is a priority.
Obviously my needs as a professional athlete are different than many others. Someone that has a desk job
and sits for hours on a computer will not consume the same amount of calories or as many carbs but
should still be looking to make healthy choices to look and feel their best.
One reason that I am really excited about this book is that anyone can follow it. If you have a significant
other or family, everyone can benefit from the topics discussed here.
This is why I partnered with Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD to create PowerAbs In The Kitchen! Ana has over 12 years
of experience as a Registered Dietitian. She has a passion for creating incredible, evidence-based, healthy,
nutrition plans.
She and I agree on the basic principles of nutrition for health as well as physical appearance, which is why
it is a perfect match!
This is exactly what I was looking to focus on with PowerAbs In The Kitchen.
Ana and I wanted to bring you a meal plan that could help you live healthy, while fueling your
body for life.
The meal plans are delicious, nutritious, and will fit into your lifestyle. It is so important to me that this can
become a part of your everyday life, just like the plan I do as an athlete!
With that being said, there is one last thing that I would like to address because I have seen and heard way
too much about it during my years as a fitness professional.
I’ve had multiple female clients tell me they are afraid to eat over 1,200 calories a day because they think
they will get fat. They often have an important event coming up, so they do a crash starvation diet. This is
so unhealthy because you are not feeding your body with the energy, vitamins, and minerals that it needs
to properly operate.
As you can see, I have had a lot of different experiences and pivotal moments in my life based around eating.
I wanted to share all of this with you because I know many of you have similar experiences or know people
or heard about some that have dealt with similar circumstances.
Fueling your body should be enjoyable but also done the right way. Remember, you only have one body so
take care of it!
The amazing thing about this book is that it can be part of a lifestyle change. The knowledge you acquire
from this book can be used for the next 30 days, but also for the rest of your life - which is the thing I am
honestly the most excited for.
Cleaning up your nutrition for a month is great but if you can learn valuable information to carry with you for
the rest of your life, that is where the magic happens.
I am really excited for you to read this and start incorporating PowerAbs In The Kitchen along with your
PowerAbs program. It’s the perfect formula for you to look and feel better than ever!!
I am truly honored to be a part of your journey and want you to know that I am proud of you for taking this
step to become a better, healthier you!!
Kari
71 Week 2
Nutrition Guides 72 Calorie/Macro breakdown
75 Grocery List
01 Chapter 1 Abs Are Made In The Kitchen
77 Recipes
03 Chapter 2 Do Calories Matter?
96 Week 3
08 Chapter 3 What About Macros? 97 Calorie/Macro breakdown
100 Grocery List
10 Chapter 4 Protein
102 Recipes
13 Chapter 5 Carbohydrates
114 Week 4
17 Chapter 6 Fat 115 Calorie/Macro breakdown
118 Grocery List
20 Chapter 7 The Other Nutrients
Recipes
24 Chapter 8 Food List
138 Days 29 - 30
29 Chapter 9 Putting it All Together 139 Calorie/Macro breakdown
141 Grocery List
31 Chapter 10 Organizing Your Kitchen
143 Recipes
34 Chapter 11 Meal Prep Tips
For optimal results during these 30 days, you will need to clean up your diet. This might involve completely
restructuring how you eat, depending on what your diet looks like now. It might mean avoiding some of
your favorite foods for the next 30 days. It might also mean learning how to navigate social situations in a
different way or finding ways to manage stress that don’t involve food.
I ask that you commit to the process of improving your diet, just like you are committing to the PowerAbs
program.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that from 1971 to 2000, women increased their calorie
intake by 22% and men increased their intake by 7%. Many of these excess calories come from liquids, such
as sodas or juices, or added sugar in food.1
A 22% increase in calories is enough to make someone gain about a pound every two weeks! Imagine how
much that adds up over a lifetime! Over the last 30 years, due to this imbalance, many are struggling with
their weight. Two thirds of Americans are now classified as overweight or obese. There are many reasons for
this increase, but the bottom line is that it has significantly impacted our happiness and health as a nation.2
1. Hormones. The food you eat can influence hormones like insulin. One hundred calories of pure sugar will
increase insulin rapidly, causing a crash later, and leaving you craving more sugar. Whereas one hundred
calories of protein provide sustained energy, do not spike insulin, and will likely stave off hunger longer.4
2. Satiety. Certain foods can trigger a feeling of fullness, whereas others make you hungry faster. Foods
high in protein, water, and fiber keep you full. Foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can leave you
feeling more hungry shortly after and not satisfied, so you end up eating more.
3. Digestion time. How long a food takes to digest can also impact your metabolism. Protein takes the
longest to digest. Your body has to work harder to break down high protein foods. A high protein diet has
been found to utilize 80-100 extra calories per day for digestion.5,6, 7
4. Nutrition. Food is not just calories, it is also a source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Some
foods are more nutrient-dense than others. For example, fruits and vegetables are loaded with all sorts of
nutrients, cake is not. Although it hasn’t been proven by science, people find that when they focus on
eating foods high in nutrients, over time they feel more satisfied and have fewer cravings. Nutrient-rich
foods also improve health and lower risk of disease.8
This guide was developed to help you meet your calorie goals and improve your diet at the same time.
• Digestion. Between 10-15% of the calories you eat are used to digest food. How many calories are
needed to digest food varies based on the type of food you eat.10
• Physical activity. This doesn’t just mean exercise. It also includes all the activities of daily life, such as
brushing your teeth and cooking dinner.
When you eat about the same number of calories per day as you burn, your weight stays the same. If you eat
more than you burn all the time, you gain weight. If you eat less, you will lose weight.
There are many different ways to calculate calorie needs. A quick internet search will give you multiple
different methods to do so. There are many calorie calculators available that can give you a more precise
number that will factor in height, weight, age, and activity level.
I prefer to keep it simple. Here is my quick and dirty method for calculating your basic calorie needs,
so you can get started right away. This is the number of calories you would burn if you never got out of bed.
(This can vary based on age, ethnicity, medical conditions, and body composition therefore it is just an
estimate. If you want to know your real calorie needs, you can get it measured via indirect calorimetry which
is offered at many gyms and nutrition centers across the county.)
Daily calorie needs for an average person to maintain weight = BMR x 30%
To maintain your weight, you need to consume the same number of calories as you burn. If your goal
during this program is to simply maintain your weight, but get a six pack, then stick with this number
If you want to lose weight, you will need to be in a calorie deficit. I recommend cutting about 20% of your
maintenance calories (not your BMR) then reassessing your weight loss in about 2 weeks. This should lead
to a loss of 1-2 pounds a week, a healthy rate of weight loss.
160 pounds x 10 calories/pound x 30% = 2080 calories per day to maintain weight
2080 calories - 20%= 1664 calories to lose weight
I have created this handy table for you to quickly figure out your calorie needs based on your weight.
Or you can use the formula above to calculate your individual needs.
Maintenance For Weight Loss for Maintenance For Weight Loss For
Weight (LB)
Women Women Men Men
A “macro” is short for macronutrient. It is basically a nutrient that you need in “macro” or large quantities
that provides calories. Macros are the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients are vitamins and
minerals that you need in smaller quantities. Both macro and micronutrients are important for good health.
In order to achieve the results you want, maximize your fitness, and even lose weight, your macros need to
be in balance. Eating a balanced macro diet helps regulate blood sugar and hormones, which makes cutting
calories easier.
Ideally, your macro breakdown should be individualized. A perfect macro prescription should consider your
age, weight, gender, fitness level, activity level, etc., to give you the right numbers for you. But I have found
that a balanced macro ratio will get you 80-90% of the results you are looking for.
It can also be used to make hormones, coenzymes, blood, and even DNA. Protein-containing structures are
constantly being broken down and replaced. It is important to eat an adequate amount of protein daily to
replace what the body uses up and to help support the growth of new muscle.
Protein has 4 calories per gram. Foods that are good sources of protein:
• Fish and Seafood
• Eggs
• Poultry
• Beef, pork, veal, bison, and lamb
• Legumes, dried beans, peas, and lentils (these also contain carbohydrates)
• Milk and yogurt
• Soy, tofu, and texturized soy protein, quinoa (also contains carbohydrates)
Protein is also touted as being able to build muscle, even if you don’t exercise. Although muscles do need
protein to grow, it is important to not get carried away with these types of claims. Eating more protein won’t
suddenly make you super muscular. You must put in the work in the gym as well.
When planning meals, about 1/3 of your plate should be protein. For most people, this would be about four
to six ounces of cooked meat, poultry, or fish or 1/2 - 3/4 cup beans.
If you are healthy overall, a good rule of thumb is to gauge your protein intake based on your hunger signals.
Start by eating 3-4 ounces of protein (about the size of a deck of cards) at a meal. If you are hungry sooner
than 2-3 hours after you have eaten, you may need more protein, so continue to increase the amount until
you feel satisfied and are able to go about 4-5 hours without eating.
The body uses carbohydrates as energy for daily activities and to maintain proper organ function. The brain
also likes to use glucose as a primary source of fuel, although it can use fat if it needs to. The glucose from
carbohydrates is either burned right away for energy, can be saved in the muscles and liver to be used later,
or if consumed in excess, can be stored as fat. Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram, similar to protein.
The healthiest diet limits foods containing added sugar like cakes, pies, candy, or sugary drinks. These
provide little nutrition and are loaded with empty calories. Reducing your intake of these foods will improve
your overall health, help you stay satisfied, and support your fitness goals.
A note on artificial sweeteners. Although artificial sweeteners are not particularly supportive for your
health, I am not completely opposed to them in small quantities. I would recommend sticking with the
“natural” choices such as stevia or monk fruit. I do not think there is any reason to avoid artificial sweeteners
completely as they can help you cut calories while still enjoying food.
Part of the reason that fat has such a negative reputation is that it is higher in calories, providing 9 calories
per gram, as opposed to 4 calories per gram provided by protein and carbohydrates. Even with the higher
calorie content, fat has been wrongly accused as the culprit of chronic diseases.
Fat is not the cause of disease. It is the overconsumption of the wrong kinds of fat, in addition to a “fear of
fat” that leads to disease. Being afraid of all fats led us to replace high fat foods in our diet with foods high in
sugar. This is what has led to the increase in obesity and disease, not the fat.
There is no reason to be afraid of fat. It helps provide flavor to food. It is necessary for hormone balance. As
you can see, the plan in this guide provides 40% of calories from fat. But you should focus on the types of
fats you are consuming because they do have varying effects on health.
• MonounsaturatedFats
These are considered the best choice as they
decrease LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Foods that
are high in monounsaturated fats include:
olive oil, avocados, and raw nuts.
• Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 fats, found in walnuts, flaxseed, and
wild-caught, cold-water fish, have a variety of
health benefits. Omega-3s are powerful anti-
inflammatories that may help reduce the risk
of chronic disease. Most people are not getting
enough of these incredibly healthy fats in their
diets.
• Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are found in animal products
and tropical oils. These fats used to be on the
“banned” list for people with high cholesterol
or diabetes. But recent research has shown
that saturated fats may not be as harmful as
originally thought.11
• Trans Fats
Trans fats are a man-made fat designed to
extend shelf-life and prevent rancidity. When
your body is faced with metabolizing these
fats, since they do not occur often in nature,
your body has no idea what to do with them.
Trans fats increase inflammation and raise
cholesterol levels. Luckily, trans fats are
no longer part of the food supply. The FDA
banned them as of January 1, 2020.13
Cook with coconut oil or olive oil. Avoid margarine and other processed fats. But remember, fat is high in
calories so even if there are health benefits, watch your portions. A small amount of olive oil or a teaspoon of
coconut oil can go a long way.
Although there are recommended amounts of each of these nutrients that need to be consumed regularly,
unless you have a deficiency or an unbalanced diet, there is no reason to get bogged down with these
numbers. A diet with the right macronutrient balance and plenty of fruits and vegetables will naturally allow
you to meet your vitamin and minerals needs. By giving your body the healthiest foods possible, you are
allowing it to determine which nutrients it needs most at a given time.14
Drinking enough plain water is critical for this plan. Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of
water daily. If you weigh 160 pounds, this means you will need to drink at least 80 oz a day.
You may need even more if you are very physically active or live in a hot climate.
If you struggle with getting in your water, here are a few tips:
• Consider making an “infused” water by adding strawberries or cucumbers
• Drink sparkling, lavored water with no calories, sugar, or artificial sweeteners
• Set a daily goal for water consumption and track it
• Always carry a reusable water bottle with you
Protein List
Limit
• Sausage
• Bologna
• Bacon (ok to use as a topping or for flavor, but not as a main source of protein)
• Salami
• Pepperoni
• Other processed deli meats
Fats
For cooking:
• Organic coconut oil, grass-fed butter, ghee
Avoid:
• Tub margarine, vegetable oil, canola oil
Better
• Brown or wild rice
• Ezekiel or whole grain bread
• Corn tortillas
• Plain microwave popcorn
• Whole wheat pasta
Best
• Plain, whole oats
• Quinoa
• Bulgur
Better
• String cheese, feta, goat cheese-
to be used for flavor
• Ricotta
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Almond Milk
• Coconut milk
Fruits
Avoid
• Fruit juice
• Canned fruit in syrup
• Sugar-sweetened dried fruit
Better
• Most fresh fruit
Best
• Berries
Better
• Starchy vegetables: corn, peas, potatoes
(should be limited due to high carbohydrate
count)
• Canned vegetables
Best
• Fresh or frozen non-starchy vegetables- eat
a large variety
Other
Seasoning:
• Salt, pepper, all herbs, mustard, vinegar, soy
sauce, other Asian sauces without added
sugar
Beverages:
• Water, tea, plain coffee
Beverages to avoid:
• Alcohol, soda, fruit and vegetable juice, any
other sugar sweetened beverages
As we mentioned, the 30 day meal plan is a completely macro and nutrient balanced plan. It is designed to
provide you with approximately 30% of your calories from carbohydrates, 30% from protein, and 40% from
fat. Restoring the balance of macronutrients is what helps you get results.
These are the basic steps to reaching your goals with this nutrition plan:
1. Figure out your calorie needs
2. Look at the meal plan. Modify it based on your calorie needs
3. Make a grocery list and go shopping for the items you need
First, prepare your kitchen to support your new eating habits. Start by deep cleaning your kitchen and
tossing out or donating foods that are just too tempting to have around. If you have foods not recommended
on the program available in your house, you will at some point be tempted and slip up. If a tempting food is
not available, you can’t eat it, right?
If you live with other people, explain your goals to them and why they are important to you. Ask for their
support.
Junk food isn’t good for anyone, so it will not hurt your friends and family to eat healthy, real food for
30 days along with you. If they must have a treat, tell them to enjoy it outside the house so you won’t be
tempted.
Preparing before the program begins and asking for support are the keys to your success.
AAbasic mealshould
basic meal should consist
consist of amain
of a few few parts:
main parts:
• Protein
Protein
• Vegetables and/or a complex carbohydrate
Vegetables and/or a complex carbohydrate
• Healthy fat
Healthy fat
Use the image below to get an idea of what an optimal plate should look like.
Use the image below to get an idea of what an optimal plate should look like.
HEALTHY
PROTEIN
FATS
VEGETABLE
PowerAbs
PowerAbsinInthe
TheKitchen
Kitchen 31
32
Protein should make up about 1/3 of your plate.
If you are hungry 2-3 hours after a meal, you
may need more protein to increase your satiety.
Don’t be afraid to add a little more to match
your hunger. Athletes and people who are very
physically active may need more protein to help
maintain muscle mass.
Choose foods without an ingredient list (fruits/veggies) or with an ingredient list of no more than three to
five items, all of which you should be able to pronounce. If the food has more than 5 ingredients, it likely has
many additives and is not considered real food.
Generally, if you find it at a gas station or convenience store, it is probably fake food (although there are
some exceptions for this). If you find it in the aisles of the grocery store, it is probably fake food. If the name
of the food ends with the letter “z”, it’s probably fake food (Cheez-its, Cheez-whiz, etc). If it has the words
“high fructose corn syrup”, “partially hydrogenated”, or “artificial flavors”, it’s fake food. Stay away. Clean it
out of your cupboards, fridge, and get it out of your house!
The plate method discussed in Chapter 10 works in almost every situation. Start every meal with a source
of protein. Add vegetables and a bit of healthy fat. Avoid refined carbohydrates, like bread, rice, or pasta. If
you keep this “plate” in mind, it will make decision making easier when you are not in complete control of
your food.
Take these 30 days to inventory the behaviors that are currently helping you with your goals and also those
that are hindering your progress. Give yourself a pat on the back for the things you are doing right. Begin to
tackle how you can improve on the things that are preventing you from achieving your goals.
Try to evaluate the factors that are not helping you achieve your fitness goals. Is it stress? Social influence?
Lack of planning? Only when you identify the barriers to your healthy lifestyle, can you begin to slowly
change the habits that are not serving you and your goals.
Sometimes when we do a 30 day challenge, we can have a “rebound” period once we are “off” the plan. We
might go crazy on “forbidden” foods. It is important though to understand that long-term health takes effort
and consistency.
Finally, remember that lifestyle change takes time and you may have some setbacks. These 30 days are
meant to get you started, but we hope they are the beginning of a healthy lifestyle you can maintain
long-term. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you end up falling back on old habits. Keep putting one foot in
front of the other and make those good decisions that support your best self.
Peanut Butter
Chicken Provençal,
Blueberry
Scrambled Greek Burger, Caramelized
Day 1 Muffins,
Eggs & Toast, Veggies & Hummus Onions with
Blackberries &
Orange Green Beans
Greek Yogurt
Peanut Butter
Tropical Smoothie & Creamy Cherry Quick Salmon
Banana
Day 3 Almond Butter Creamsicle Salad, Steamed
Greek Yogurt,
Toast Smoothie Carrots
1/2 Pear
Peanut Butter
Creamy Cherry Leftover:
Scrambled Eggs Banana
Day 4 Creamsicle Quick Salmon Salad,
& Toast, Orange Greek Yogurt,
Smoothie Steamed Carrots
1/2 Pear
Leftover:
Basic Chicken Blackberries &
Scrambled Eggs Rainbow Chard
Avocado Wrap, Greek Yogurt,
Day 7 & Toast,1/2 c Chicken Wraps,
Carrots & Peanut Butter
Blueberries Egg, Cheese &
Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins
Grapes
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
MEALS
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 1
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 2
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Grocery List
DELI
1 shaker of Salt
1 jar (0.25 oz) of Dried Mint
1 jar (1 oz) of Ground Cinnamon
1 bottle (12 oz) of Honey
1 bottle (12 oz) of Maple Syrup
1 jar (0.35 oz) of Tarragon Dried
1 shaker of Ground Black Pepper
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING 6. Place the chicken in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes.
Protein: 28g, Total Fat: 14g, Carbs: 26g,
Calories: 327kcal, Fruits: 0.03 servings,
Vegetables: 1.34 servings
Avocado &
Simple Curried Banana & PB,
Black Bean Tomato
Day 1 Quinoa with Blueberry PB
Egg Bake Sandwich with
Grilled Shrimp Yogurt Bowl
Kiwi
Leftover:
Avocado & Chicken & PB Crackers &
Leftover: Black
Day 2 Tomato Mozzarella Grapes, Apple &
Bean Egg Bake
Sandwich with Flatbread Sunflower
Kiwi
Leftover:
Spicy Tofu Pineapple Blueberry PB
Chicken &
Day 3 Scramble, 1/2 c Coconut Hemp Yogurt Bowl,
Mozzarella
Grapes Smoothie Banana & PB
Flatbread
Cherry
Pineapple Leftover: Simple
Basic Chicken Creamsicle
Day 5 Coconut Hemp Shrimp Fried
Avocado Wrap* Smoothie, Apple
Smoothie Brown Rice
& Peanut Butter
Leftover: Leftover:
Leftover:
Overnight Chicken BLT Egg & Apple,
Day 7 Chicken Salad
Blueberry Chia Salad, Cheese & Banana & PB
Pita Lunchbox
Seed Bowl Pretzels
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
MEALS
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 1
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 2
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Grocery List
DAIRY
MEATS / SEAFOOD
1 pint of Milk, 2% fat
1 4 ounces of Medium Raw Shrimp
1 package (16 oz) of Extra Firm Tofu
(Peeled & Deveined)
1 container (32 oz) of Plain Low-Fat
1 package (10 oz) of Turkey Bacon
Greek Yogurt
1 package (8 oz) of Shredded Mozzarella
Cheese
1 package (7.5 oz) of String Cheese
(Mozzarella, Low Fat)
*Some items you will need for week 2 were already purchased in week 1. You may want to double
check the recipes to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand.
Warm Cherry Radish Egg Salad Leftover: Simple Carrots & Tuna,
Day 2 Parfait w/ Sandwich, Celery Curried Quinoa with 6 oz Greek
Superfood Seeds & Cottage Cheese Grilled Shrimp* Yogurt, Apple
Cherry Hemp
Scrambled Eggs Carrots & Tuna,
Creamsicle Tuscan Chicken
Day 4 & Toast*, 1/2 c. Greek Yogurt,
Smoothie, and Beans
Blueberries Apple
Banana & PB
High-Protein
Blueberry Chia
Banana Spinach Chicken Stuffed Tuscan Chicken
Day 6 Pudding, 1c.
Smoothie Pita, Veggies & and Beans
Blueberries
Hummus
Leftover: Leftover:
Leftover: Tuscan
Banana Spinach High-Protein Blueberry Chia
Day 7 Chicken and
Smoothie Chicken Stuffed Pita, Pudding, 1c.
Beans
Veggies & Hummus Blueberries
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
MEALS
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 1
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 2
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Grocery List
FROZEN FOODS
CANNED / JAR GOODS
1 package (8 oz) of Frozen Chicken
1 can (15-16 oz) of Cannellini Beans Breast Strips
1 can (10.5 oz) of Chicken Broth 1 package (40 oz) of Frozen
1 jar (8 oz) of Sun-Dried Tomatoes Unsweetened Cherries
1 can (13.5 fl oz) of Unsweetened Coconut Milk
2 cans (5 oz) of Chicken
2 cans (5 oz) of Tuna in Water
1 jar (16 oz) of Peanut Butter
8 oz of Quinoa
PRODUCE
Some of the ingredients for the recipes were purchased in previous weeks. Please check the
ingredients to make sure you have everything you need on hand.
Chia Cucumber
Greek Burger Strawberry
Strawberry Open Face Tuna
Day 1 and Cucumber Cooler, Celery &
Overnight Oats Salad Sandwich
Salad* Ranch, 1 c
Strawberries
Leftover:
Chicken with Ricotta Crackers
Rainbow Chard
Savory Oatmeal, Couscous & and Cherries,
Day 3 Chicken Wraps*,
Half Banana Roasted Veggies, Apple & Peanut
Banana & Greek
Pear Butter*
Yogurt
Chia Cucumber
High-Protein Leftover:
Leftover: Savory Strawberry
Shrimp Salad Jar, Chicken with
Day 4 Oatmeal, Half Cooler, Celery &
Celery & Cottage Couscous &
Banana Ranch, 1c.
Cheese Roasted Veggies
Strawberries
Avocado & Eggs & Grapes,
Turkey Sloppy
Baked Apples Tomato Blueberry Winter
Day 5 Joes, Tomatoes &
and Cream Sandwich with Warming
Hummus
Kiwi* Smoothie
Leftover: High-
Leftover: Baked Blueberry Winter
Protein Shrimp
Apples and Leftover: Turkey Warming
Day 6 Salad Jar, Celery
Cream, 1/2c. Sloppy Joes Smoothie,
& Cottage
Strawberries Eggs & Grapes
Cheese
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
MEALS
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 1
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 2
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Grocery List
BREADS / CEREALS
DELI
1 loaf of Whole Grain Bread
1 can of Rolled Oats 1 container (6 oz) regular Hummus
1 bag (6 ct) of Whole Wheat Pita Bread
1 bag (8 ct) of Hamburger Buns
1 can (15 oz) of Kidney Beans 1 package (10 oz) of Frozen Blueberries
1 can (6 oz) of Tomato Paste 1 package (10 oz) of Frozen Unsweetened
1 can (5 oz) of Tuna in Water Cherries
1 can (15 oz) of Tomato Sauce 1 package (10 oz) of Frozen Strawberries
1.5 pounds of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1 cup of Sliced Almonds
1 1/2 pounds of Medium Raw Shrimp 1 box of Multigrain crackers
(Peeled & Deveined) 1 jar (16 oz) of Peanut Butter
1 package (10 oz) of Ground Turkey
*Leftover: Creamy
PB Banana Toast Radishing Egg Leftover: Quick
Tangerine
Day 2 with Broiled Sandwich, Pizza,
Smoothie, Tuna
Grapefruit Banana & PB Edamame Salad
Salad
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
MEALS
Daily Calorie/
Macronutrient Breakdown
SNACK 1
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
SNACK 2
DAYS CALORIES PROTEIN TOTAL FAT CARBS
Grocery List
1 bottle (11-12 oz) of Agave Nectar 1 jar (18 oz) of Marinara Sauce
1 container (8 oz) of Cocoa Powder 1 can (5 oz) of Tuna in Water
1 container (2 oz) of Chia Seeds
1 box (16 oz) of Brown Sugar
DAIRY
MEATS / SEAFOOD
1 package (4 oz) of Alfalfa Sprouts 1 container (4 oz) of Roasted Unsalted Peanuts
1 Carrot
1 package (16 oz) of Edamame
(Shelled & Cooked)
1 bunch of Basil
1 Grapefruit
2 Red Bell Peppers
3 Tangerines
3 Bananas
1 Cucumber
1 bulb of Garlic (1 clove needed)
1 head of Green Leaf Lettuce
1 bunch of Radishes
1/2 pound of Red Grapes
1 package (8 oz) of White Mushrooms
*Some of the ingredients were purchased in other weeks. We recommend you review the recipes and
what you have on hand before heading to the store.
2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384845/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15466943/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885994/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31021710/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258944/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5902736/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3302369/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC524030/
11. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/15/1111
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3821664/
13. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/trans-fat
14. https://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4901052/
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