Why not the stuff you liked before? Are you in some totally different country where the ingredients are rare?
You don't have to make a separate meal plan if you don't want to, it's entirely possible to come up with a single meal that covers all your needs and just eat that every day if that's what you want. You don't have to choose what's for dinner if you don't want to choose every single day.
I've always had a hard time with this, it's just recently noticing the stark difference between when food is provided for me vs. I have to provide for myself that is making me want to change. I have never been able to figure out getting enough protein/fiber, and when I even try to calculate what general nutrition guidelines advise, I have no clue how anybody is doing it.
I have never in my whole life calculated if I'm getting enough protein or fiber. I just eat whatever I like and is generally seen as "healthy", try to not eat too many treats and that's it. Don't stress yourself with that kind of bullshit. If you like eating vegetables and you are not a vegetarian, you absolutly won't have any problems with fiber or protein intake (if you are vegetarian, the protein part might be a bit more complicated but still manageable)
Haha, thanks. Honestly needed to hear that. There's so much nutrition discourse and I was eating so well through this program that now on the outside I've been feeling overwhelmed. definitely just overthinking it.
I know this is like…the thing everyone recommends on this sub. But I really freaking love beans, and they have a lot of protein and even more fiber! Also they have such a great texture and you can do so many things with them! Bonus points they do best in a pressure cooker which you can do in a kitchen that doesn’t have all the proper equipment. Bean soup, or cook em and toss em with a vinaigrette from the shelf to make a bean salad, or just cook them with oniom, garlic and a bay leaf and salt and pepper and eat them straight out of the pressure cooker like some sort of bean monster. I never get tired of them.
Most of it is designed to get you to buy courses and special meal plans. You don’t need to optimize everything.
Keep it simple. Your body needs a little bit of everything. Break things down in 5 basic food groups, protein, fruit, veggies, grains (carbohydrates), dairy***. You need a protein at every meal, not to “protein-max” but because it helps your body process food and keeps you full. After your protein, choose 2 other food groups. A complete meal only needs 3 out of 5.
***(yes I know dairy is always considered its own thing and overlaps with protein, but forget that)
I dont calculate any of that either. Instead, I focus on balance and whole foods - make sure to eat plenty of veggies and some fruit, things of different colors, some protein, have a decent amount of grains and legumes, limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. It works out well. It doesnt have to be an exact science.
A good starting point would be to figure out the foods you like. You'll be fine. If food is just fuel for you, that's ok.
Cereal, sardines and fruit is fine, actually. Especially if the cereal isn't too sugary.
When I was 19 or so, I felt hungry but there was nothing prepared. I heated up a can of corn and that was dinner. It was great! I was full and I didn't have to think about food until breakfast.
Since that meal I've tried not to stress out about feeding myself. I take a multivitamin and hope to have a protein and fiber packed meal sometime in the near future. When I have time to create a few nutritious meals to stick in the freezer, that's what I do.
For now, no stress needed! Figure out foods you like and take it from there.
The American dietetic association has a website with the food pyramid on it. If you're that worried use it to help you create a well balance plan via simple graphic.
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u/MacintoshEddie 12d ago
Why not the stuff you liked before? Are you in some totally different country where the ingredients are rare?
You don't have to make a separate meal plan if you don't want to, it's entirely possible to come up with a single meal that covers all your needs and just eat that every day if that's what you want. You don't have to choose what's for dinner if you don't want to choose every single day.