5 Healthy Eating Hacks for Guys Who Hate to Cook
Some guys love spending time in the kitchen. If you’re not one of them, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to grow pudgy on a diet of pizza and Ramen. Use these hacks to eat smart all day with minimal effort.
(Just don’t forget that food is only part of the equation for a great body. For fast fat-burning workouts you can do without leaving your house, check out 6-Week Sweat Off DVD.)
Spike Your Yogurt with Extra Whey
Getting the 30 grams of protein you need at breakfast to maximize muscle building is tough if you don’t want to bother with eggs and sausage.
But here’s how you can do it in less time than it would take you to hit the drive-thru: Stir half a scoop of vanilla protein powder into a cup of plain Greek yogurt. Toss in some frozen berries, sliced almonds, and ground flaxseeds for a delicious and epically nutritious first meal of the day.
361 calories, 32g protein, 21g carbs (4g fiber), 18g fat*
*Nutrition information is for 1 7-ounce Fage Total plain Greek yogurt, ? scoop EAS vanilla whey protein, ? cup mixed berries, 2 T sliced almonds, and 1 tsp ground flaxseed.
Keep These Smart Snacks on Hand
Healthy snacks can be just as easy as your nearest bag of Fritos, as long as you keep them stocked. Shoot for 10 to 15 grams of protein per serving to keep you full ‘til your next meal. My favorite grab-and-go options:
Skyr, an Icelandic yogurt that has more protein than the Greek variety. Try Siggi’s Pumpkin & Spice version. (14g protein)
Halloumi cheese, a firm, salty cheese from Cyprus. You can buy it pre-sliced at Trader Joe’s. It’s awesome on the grill, too. Here’s How to Grill Halloumi Cheese. (14g protein in 2 slices.)
Strong & Kind bars. These nut-and-seed bars come in exotic flavors like Thai Sweet Chili and Roasted Jalapeno. (10g protein.)
Try This 3-Ingredient Lunch
No time to pack a healthy lunch? No problem. Swing by the grocery store and pick up three items: A bag of triple-washed baby spinach, a pouch of salmon, and a bottle of vinaigrette dressing (or my favorite, Annie’s Cowgirl Ranch). Toss them in a bowl, mix, and enjoy. The satisfying salad will give you a whopping 38 grams of protein, plus a helping of nutrient-dense greens.
290 calories, 38g protein, 11g carbs (3g fiber), 14g fat*
*Nutrition information is for a salad with 3 c baby spinach, 5 oz salmon, and 2 T Annie’s Cowgirl Ranch dressing.
(Related: What and When to Eat to Build Muscle.)
Have a Hearty Shake—for Dinner
Most guys think of smoothies as breakfast fare. But shakes can be hearty enough for dinner, and they take all of 3 minutes to make. Your secret ingredient: protein powder that includes both whey and casein (like this one). Casein expands as you blend it, leaving you with a thicker, bigger smoothie that will keep you satisfied for longer.
Blend this:
1-2 c water
2 scoops whey/casein protein blend (or reduce to 1 scoop for a smaller shake)
1 T chia seeds (or substitute ground flaxseeds or hemp seeds)
1 c frozen mixed berries
1 large handful of baby spinach
? c walnuts (or substitute almonds or pecans)
? tsp matcha (you can usually find this in the supermarket near the teas)
3-4 ice cubes
506 calories, 49g protein, 35g carbs, 10g fiber, 22g fat
Related: 20 Healthy, Protein-Packed Smoothie Recipes.
Whip Up the World’s Easiest Dinner
Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this. Shrimp fried rice can be tossed together faster than Ramen. You can make it all in one pan and you won’t have to chop anything. And unlike Ramen, you’ll get a hefty dose of protein and vegetables.
What you’ll need:
2 tsp sesame oil
? c pre-diced onions
? c frozen mixed vegetables
1 egg
1 c Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice, cooked
4 oz pre-cooked shrimp
1 T soy sauce
How to make it:
In a non-stick pan over medium heat, add sesame oil and onions. Cook until onions begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add mixed vegetables, stirring until vegetables are no longer frozen. Move vegetables to one side of the pan and crack egg into the open space in the pan. Quickly scramble. Add remaining ingredients, stirring frequently until shrimp is heated through.
555 calories, 38 g protein, 58 g carbs (7 g fiber), 18 g fat
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