Hitting your protein can feel like a full time job some days! Nobody wants to spend precious time standing in front of an open fridge or pantry scanning items into MFP and trying to see if you’re getting close to your goal.

Put Protein on Repeat

The more foods you put on repeat that help you easily reach your protein target, the easier it will be to hit cruise control and get on with your day and life. One thing I can promise you… you are never going to hit your protein goal without a little bit of intention, but I can also promise you that with just a little bit of intention, you can easily get into the ballpark and feel your best!

I heard someone say recently that, “my goals say 150g of protein, but my taste buds say 60” and it’s so true…we never open the fridge and reach for chicken breast by default! 

Start Strong with a Protein-Packed Breakfast

Start the day by packing in the protein with breakfast! If you are a morning exerciser, this is also a huge part of your post-workout recovery. Aim to give your body a head-start on the day with protein, and help give your muscles what they need to recover and rebuild after training. Thirty to forty grams of protein balanced with carbs and fats will give you what you need to head into the rest of your day feeling fueled and energized. 

Front Load for the Win

Front loading your protein for the day comes in clutch if your day happens to get crazy– protein is the one macro it is really hard to catch up on once you get behind, and you won’t regret having a head start on it!

Stock Your Fridge for Success

Make it easy! Set yourself up for success by keeping your fridge stocked with easy protein sources that you can grab and go, or whip up with little time. Put those items on repeat just like your favorite songs in your playlist, and push play every day! 

The “Everyday 3 to 4” Strategy

If you can identify 3 to 4 high-protein items that you can count on eating every day, then even on days when you’re too busy to stop and track everything, you will know you’re staying on-point with your protein goals. That could look like 250g egg whites (25g protein), a cup of greek yogurt (20g protein), 4 ounces of chicken breast (35g protein), a protein shake (30g protein) lands you at 110g of protein for the day– tweak portions as needed up or down to reach your goals, but it really is that simple!  

Simplify, Don’t Overthink

Those foods might not be your faves, and that’s ok! The point is to identify what you can realistically see yourself eating each day- that’s what makes macros sustainable- and then you have a great framework for reaching your daily goals. Cottage cheese, jerky, lean steak, a favorite protein bar, canadian bacon, protein oats, a protein smoothie… once you have made your list, you have a framework to work within each day, and take the exhausting guesswork out of it. When you simplify and streamline your nutrition goals, you are more motivated to reach those goals and your time is freed up for everything else the day brings– macros is food freedom and can be time freedom as well!!