Eating is Also a Workout!
Whether your aim is weight loss or weight gain, the food you consume is equally as crucial as the exercise you do. Here, I'll suggest foods and ingredients tailored just for you. Let's dive in!
Why diet is important for weight loss and gain?
🗣️ "Isn't dieting for weight loss just about skipping meals altogether, and for weight gain about gorging on anything and everything? It seems pretty straightforward!"
Well, that's not entirely wrong. But if you approach it that way, you might end up looking like this
or perhaps like that.
When aiming for weight loss by completely skipping meals, you risk nutritional deficiencies and other health issues. On the other hand, binge-eating everything in sight to gain weight can lead to digestive issues, obesity, among other problems.
For weight loss,
Your diet should be designed considering essential nutrients and calories.
For weight gain,
It's crucial to consume foods that are not only high in calories but also beneficial for healthy muscle mass increase.
Therefore, making healthy and "wise" food choices is vital. This illustrates the importance of a balanced diet and why the completion of your workout routine is indeed what you consume.
"So... what should I eat?
It all sounds so complicated..."
Don't worry; it's not as complicated as it sounds. Let me simplify it for you. Depending on your goal, whether it's weight loss or weight gain with muscle growth (like bulking up), there are specific foods that can make a significant - difference.
For Weight Loss:
- Lean Proteins: Think chicken breast, turkey, fish, tofu, and beans.
- Fiber-Rich Veggies: Load up on leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Whole Grains: Opt for brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread.
- Healthy Fats: Avocado, nuts, and olive oil in moderation.
For Weight gain
- Protein Power: Beef, salmon, eggs, and Greek yogurt are your pals.
- Complex Carbs: Sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and whole-grain pasta.
- Good Fats: Include nuts, seeds, and avocado for an energy boost.
But here's the catch: you can't just rely on these foods alone. I'll provide you with a range of food recommendations for each goal and help you plan a week's worth of meals accordingly. Exciting culinary adventures await!
Why do I gain weight so fast and easily?
Do you know someone who claims they gain weight just by drinking water? Well, they might not be solely attributing their weight gain to H2O😂
While the common belief is that consuming fewer calories and staying active leads to weight loss, let's delve into the exciting world of what you should eat and how you can craft a clever meal plan to make your weight management journey more enjoyable and effective.
Weight Loss-Friendly Foods
Here are three real-world meal options that not only support your weight loss goals but also tantalize your taste buds:
- Grilled Chicken Salad: A hearty salad with grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. This combination offers lean protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
- Quinoa and Vegetable Stir-Fry: A colorful stir-fry made with quinoa, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas, drizzled with a savory low-sodium teriyaki sauce. Quinoa provides whole-grain goodness, while vegetables add vitamins and fiber.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait: A delightful parfait featuring Greek yogurt, fresh berries, honey, and a sprinkle of almonds. This dish offers probiotics, antioxidants, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied.
If We Crafted a Day's Meal Using These Ingredients…
It would look like this !
Here's meal plan for weight loss, lose weight
- Sample Daily Meal Plan
- Breakfast: Kickstart your day with a filling Greek yogurt parfait topped with a mix of fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
- Lunch: Enjoy a satisfying grilled chicken salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
- Snack: Satisfy your mid-afternoon cravings with carrot sticks paired with creamy hummus.
- Dinner: End your day with a delicious meal of baked salmon served with quinoa and a side of steamed broccoli.
- Another Effective Daily Meal Plan for Weight Loss:
- Breakfast: Start your day with a nutritious spinach and mushroom omelet, accompanied by a side of sliced avocado.
- Lunch: Enjoy a delicious quinoa salad with diced grilled tofu, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a lemon-tahini dressing.
- Snack: For your mid-afternoon pick-me-up, grab a handful of almonds and a piece of fresh fruit.
- Dinner: End your day with a flavorful baked salmon fillet, served with steamed broccoli and quinoa.
Is this all too boring and overly everyday talk?
Keep reading until the end, including the conclusion of the article.
Why can't I gain weight. Difficulty of gaining weight.
Have you ever met someone who can eat a mountain of food and not gain a single pound?
You might consider yourself lucky, but for many people, weight gain can be an uphill battle. In fact, healthy weight gain can be just as difficult as weight loss. In this blog, we'll explore that, providing insights into what you should be eating to achieve your weight gain goals.
- Weight gain foods list
Gaining weight is not only about quantity but also about quality. Here are three tasty meal ideas that will make you an ally in the war against mindless binge eating and help you gain weight the right way:
- Avocado Toast: Sliced avocado on whole-grain toast.
- Grilled Salmon Salad: Grilled salmon fillet served with a mixed green salad.
- Chicken Breast Pasta: A hearty pasta dish made with lean chicken breast, whole-grain pasta, and a tomato-based sauce.
If We Crafted a Day's Meal Using These Ingredients…
It would look like this !
Here's meal plan for weight gain, gain muscle
- Sample Daily Meal Plan
- Breakfast: Kickstart your day with a satisfying Avocado Toast, featuring sliced avocado on whole-grain toast.
- Morning Snack: Recharge with a delicious Nut Butter Smoothie made from nut butter, Greek yogurt, banana, and honey.
- Lunch: For a hearty lunch, enjoy a grilled salmon salad, featuring a small portion of grilled salmon fillet served with a side salad.
- Afternoon Snack: Keep your energy up with a Chicken Breast Wrap, featuring lean chicken breast wrapped in a whole-grain tortilla with mixed greens and your choice of a healthy sauce.
- Dinner: Conclude your day with a hearty Chicken Breast Pasta, a flavorful dish made with lean chicken breast, whole-grain pasta, and a tomato-based sauce.
- Another Effective Daily Meal Plan for Weight gain
- Breakfast: Energize your morning with a Protein Pancake Stack, topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
- Morning Snack: Dive into a creamy Yogurt Parfait, layered with granola, Greek yogurt, and an assortment of fruits.
- Lunch: Savor a Beef Steak Bowl, comprising grilled beef slices, brown rice, sautéed veggies, and a hint of teriyaki sauce.
- Afternoon Snack: Refuel with a Quinoa and Tuna Salad, a wholesome mix of quinoa, flaked tuna, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lemon dressing.
- Dinner: Wind down with a Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry, a delightful combo of sautéed shrimps, colorful bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas, tossed in a garlic-soy sauce, served with a side of whole-grain rice.
Personalized workout and diet plan
"Are there foods I can't eat? I don't have access to these ingredients. Or, when I go to work, I can't eat like this. Isn't this too extreme? It's challenging to prepare such well-organized meals!"
Whoa, calm down. The solution is right in front of you. It's Planfit.
As mentioned earlier, exercise and diet are inseparable. And Planfit has managed to kill two birds with one stone. For those of you facing such challenges, we have introduced a new feature in Planfit.
Based on your fitness goals and workout history,
"Planfit"can create a personalized meal plan tailored to the foods you have access to and can realistically consume.
It's an amazing addition! Remember, eating is a part of your fitness journey too. PlanFit always ensures that you can stick to your fitness journey while considering your real-life constraints.