Working on TV shows while raising children Dexter: The original sin and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Revivals (!), and juggling the usual daily mess (such as figuring out what to eat for dinner), Sarah Michel Guerard has found strategies to make healthy diets viable, even on the busiest days.
That’s why she’s made her a very good brand partner for the launch of MyFitnessspal’s new diet planner. This is a tool I personally use to simplify shopping, reduce food waste, and make sure that diet supports her goals. These days, she’s been much more focused on building strength than chasing weight loss. And she’s going to find an easy way to eat more protein.
Like most of us, Sarah’s goals have evolved. She focuses more on her strength and eating plenty of protein than anything else. So when she found something that helped her to reduce stress and make a balanced meal at the table faster, she was all in. So she worked with Myfitnesspal to launch a meal planner.
We checked in with her about how she eats to stay vibrant, what’s in her lunch box on the set, and small strategic habits that help to nourish herself and her family without stress.
How have you changed your food to get more protein?
I love this question. Honestly, small changes can really make a huge difference. For me, it’s all about making protein simple and easy. I don’t do anything extreme. I’m a busy mom. You need something that works in real life. So I started by just being more aware of protein. Now I always ask myself: “Where is the protein?” When I’m cooking a meal or a snack.
Some go-tos:
- I add Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to the smoothie. It becomes creamy and boosts serious protein.
- Instead of chips, roasted chickpeas and turkey rolls are served.
- In the morning, I swapped the grains with high protein oats and eggs.
- And I love to add hemp seeds whenever I can.
It’s not perfect. It’s about creating a small habit to supplement. There is no need to overhaul the entire meal. Sneak in as little protein as possible. It makes me feel strong and energetic all day long.
I incorporated more strength training into my fitness routine, so increasing my protein intake has become more important to me.
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Why did you start to concentrate more on strength training?
I wanted to feel it strongly. I’ve trained all sorts of things over the years, but strength training was a complete game changer. It’s about feeling the ability, not the appearance. I want to lift my kids, carry groceries and catch up with my life.
At one point I realized that I wasn’t doing enough cardio. Strength training protects muscles, supports bone health, and is perfect for long-term health. Plus, it gives power. It reminds me that fitness isn’t about reducing. It’s about living perfectly.
What do you eat before and after strength training?
Before your workout, eat something lighter with carbohydrates and a bit of protein, such as almond butter or a banana with honey and Greek yogurt. It’s enough to give me energy without oppressing me.
After the workout, I focus on protein. A smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, berries and spinach is what I always have. If I’m really hungry, I’ll make eggs with avocado toast or grilled chicken and vegetables. Recovery is just as important as the workout itself, and eating well afterwards is my way of thanking me for showing up in my body.
What do typical days of meals look like when you’re filming?
Breakfast is usually overnight oats, almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries and almonds. Get ready the night before and grab it on the go
For lunch, I love bringing something from home, such as brown rice, edamame, snap peas, chicken breast, soy dressing, salads, wraps, Buddha bowls, etc. If you can’t eat it right away, it will bear well.
dinner? Freddie is a real cook in our house, so I’m always happy to steal his leftovers and reheat them on set!
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Why are home cooking and meal planning so important to you as a mom?
I didn’t grow with my meal plans. That’s what I learned later in life. Growing up, diet planning wasn’t something I knew very well. I was raised by a single parent in an apartment in New York. There wasn’t much room for large meal preparation there!
After giving birth to a child, health became a greater priority. I’ve been around for a long time and want to set a good example for them. We also want to have more control over what we eat and how we nourish our bodies.
But honestly, I don’t have endless time to cook. Between work and parenting, you need a realistic diet. A meal plan will make the most of your time and ensure you are nutritiously prepared for busy weeks.
I don’t aim for perfection or an Instagram-worthy meal. A healthy and viable option for your real life.
What made you want to try myfitnesspal’s diet planner?
I love my Sunday routine, the farmers market, then the grocery store, but I went home without a clear plan. Sometimes I’ll buy something I didn’t use or scramble mid-week to figure out dinner.
The idea of tools that helps me plan my meals, create efficient shopping lists and support my health goals was really appealing to me. Having a balanced meal is very helpful, especially on long set days. Includes a healthy lunch that can be brought with me and avoided the temptation of craft service.
Did that actually help?
absolutely. I use ingredients in multiple recipes, so I use things like herbs and green onions that I’ve forgotten, so it helps me waste less food. I like the kitchen structure (unlike my husband Freddie, he’s a creative chef), and the meal planner gives me the guidance I need.
I set the 30 minute recipe to my preference, and it’s become very doable. It supports my goals – as I get more protein now that I’m strength training – it just makes weekday cooking less stressful. It feels good to know that we are eating nutritious meals that work for our lifestyle.
Sarah Michelle Geller’s posts on strength training, diet planning, and achieving her protein goals first appeared on the MyFitnessPal blog.
