I love that My Vegetarian Family members + readers + followers + fans are curious about what I eat in a day! I am living proof that a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) life is possible. Above all, it is possible with great tasting food that is satisfying + easy to make even with a busy schedule. I photograph all of my food every minute of every day anyway, so you know my version of what I eat in a day is the real deal.
Tara’s Tuesday Tips: What I Eat In A Day (WFPB)
A Little Bit About Me
For those of you that know me personally, you know that I am always on the go. Don’t sit still much. I am the one-woman show behind every aspect of this blog. I am also an avid health enthusiast. As a doctorate prepared nurse practitioner, I strongly believe that what we eat + what we don’t eat is the key to our health, mood, longevity, and disease prevention.
Mr. MVF is my husband + official taste-tester of all things that make it to the blog. What I eat is what he eats too. He tends to sneak in a few extra snacks and bigger portions as he is much taller than me and runs around the hospital and his office all day so his caloric needs are slightly higher than mine. The MVF kids are off to college navigating the meatless world as college students but they come home on occasion for a few meals + cooking lessons 💚.
Why Exercise Is A Priority To Me
You can’t run off a bad diet. Let’s start there. Both are equally important. Exercise (like consuming healthy foods) only works if you do it. I don’t exercise as an equation for calorie burn nor does my daily exercise give me a license to overeat. As a long distance runner, I truly enjoy the endurance challenge of long runs. I also enjoy the friendship + the camaraderie that running has brought to my life.
I run every day for fun, for a challenge, to minimize bone loss, prevent a whole host of diseases, and because exercise is medicine. Running isn’t for everyone but movement is. To supplement my running, I enjoy a daily yoga or pilates or strength training hour. Why you exercise is important. Figure out your why and it will fall into place. Take one step at a time.
Inspiration Not Distraction
The recent rise in (and obsession with) videos of celebrities and youtubers posting what they eat can certainly be inspirational. On the other hand, watching these videos can cause distress + self-consciousness regarding food. Stop it. Every body is unique. I decided to share what I eat in a day because we all have unique demands, stressors, and histories. So remember, what I eat is suitable for me in my body + in my mind. This may not be the same for you and that is ok. My food is pretty but that is my job! I also prioritize healthy eating, researching various nutrients, shopping for + growing wholesome foods, and cooking a variety of fabulous meals. Let this be an inspiration to you on your own path to optimal health + wellness.
What You See on MyVegetarianFamily.com Really Is What I Eat
Yep, what you see on this site is really what we eat. Everything tested + photographed are our real meals.
My Eating Rules:
- No meat or animal products (What Is A Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet?)
- Rest my body from food + digestion to repair itself for 8-12 hours per day with Intermittent Fasting (Intermittent Fasting for Vegetarians)
- As little oil as possible (I do use an occasional oil or oil spray of avocado or olive oil). (Guide to Oil-Free Cooking)
- No refined sugar or refined grains on regular rotation. BUT, I will enjoy white bread, pizza crust, or a sweet treat when I want it.
- MEAL PREP! I plan and prep my meals for the week. One time per week I also pre-cook quinoa, rice, potatoes, and Indian vegetables or breads.
- Eat organic whenever possible or grow your own.
- On a day I am not too busy, I also wash, chop, and portion out all of our fruits and vegetables. Super important to do to stay healthy.
- When I am in training mode for a marathon, proper nutrition is a priority. My nutrition supports my runs, recovery, and endurance.
- I eat carbs + love them.
- Limit food waste. I love turning leftovers into some other wonderful creation. Super fun + saves money + time!
- Drink lots of water.
- My goal is to always eat 30 different plants every week. Sounds hard but usually I am way over. Try counting yours!
- Eat the rainbow.
- Enjoy good food in the company of good people 💚💚
What I Eat In A Day (WFPB) – My Daily Eating Outline:
Breakfast
- Wake up + drink water + pre-run snack with caffeine
- Post-run, drink more water + refuel with a protein shake (Momentous protein powder)
- 30 minutes to 1 hour later, “second” breakfast of carbs + protein + coffee
Lunch
- I eat the same thing for lunch (almost) every day. Ha ha. Boring again. I do change it up on weekends occasionally. This changes during marathon training!
- Usually a green smoothie + I aim for 20 grams of protein from tofu, tempeh, protein powder or lentils, an apple and walnuts
Dinner
- Each night I pick a cuisine that the meal will be based on and I try not to repeat it until the next week. For example, Italian food, Indian, Mexican, Thai, American, I think you get it.
- I choose the protein source first, then the vegetables, then the complimentary grain. For example if I am making Mexican I choose between tofu or tempeh or beans, then decide on the salsas or peppers to stuff or veggies to mix in, then I choose quinoa or brown rice or potatoes or corn tortillas. It works with all types of cuisines.
- As a general guideline, we always have a big salad one night with broccoli sprouts we sprouted that week + any veggies we picked from the garden. We also have a veggie burger or falafel night too with air fried vegetables. The other nights are a rotation of Indian, Mexican, Italian, and Thai (with mung bean sprouts we sprouted that week).
- Like I said earlier, what we eat is what is on this blog. Here are all of my dinner recipes.
Snacks
- My all-time favorite is hummus + veggies (Dill Pickle Hummus, Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus, Oil-Free Chipotle Hummus)
- Seriously, I eat a lot of hummus
- Dessert hummus (Brownie Batter Hummus, Cake Batter Dessert Hummus, Edible Vegan Cookie Dough)
- Nuts + fruit
- Nut butter on sprouted grain bread or a banana or crackers (How To Make Walnut Butter, Quinoa Cracker Recipe, Baked Chickpea Crackers)
- Nice Cream (Pumpkin Spice Nice Cream, Strawberry Banana Nice Cream)
- Homemade cookies 😊 or baked donuts. My absolute top 3 favorites are Vegan Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sweet Potato Cookies, and Baked Vegan Pumpkin Donuts. Here are all of my dessert recipes.
So there you have it, What I Eat In A Day!
I hope this is helpful. My diet is always evolving. As I learn more about nutrition + disease prevention, my eating day might look a little different. If you are looking to make changes, start small. Every change stacks up and creates big change with lasting results. Give yourself a little grace, take a walk, find joy in preparing + sharing your food 🥗.
All the best,
Tara 💚
Do You Have More Questions About What I Eat In A Day? Leave a comment below!
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I love all the information you shared! Now I have new ideas to create healthier meals . Thank you for sharing all your hard work. !
Hi Lynda! So glad to hear you liked this article. Hope you make some yummy new recipes this week!!
Hi, I love the recipes & the foods look delicious. I’m trying a few things in the air fryer. Are there any potassium rich meals that can be used daily or are all of the meals shown, potassium rich besides the green veggies?
Thanks for sharing and helping us to eat for better health and life.
Hi! So happy to hear you are loving the recipes! Some potassium rich foods are pumpkin, sweet potatoes, potatoes, broccoli, lentils, kidney beans, soy beans, and pinto beans. I have an air fryer recipe for lots of these. Click here. or here for a great lentil soup recipe.