Looking for practical healthy eating tips? We asked three Instagram superstars about their daily diets that fuel their active lifestyles and fit physiques.
Instagrammers often have super busy schedules, traveling constantly. It makes us wonder when they find time to eat, and what healthy choices they make each day. So, we asked them to share their daily meals and favorite recipes.
Hannah Barrett, known as Yoga Girl London, is a mother of two who loves sharing the benefits of yoga through adorable videos featuring her kids and dog. After leaving a high-stress finance job and battling post-natal depression, she found solace in yoga. Now a published author of an eBook and a strong Instagram presence, we were curious about her diet given her toned physique.
Here’s a typical day for Hannah:
– 7:30am, Breakfast: Buckwheat pancakes
– 12pm, Lunch: Poached eggs with boiled sweet potato
– 3pm, Mid-afternoon snack: An apple or pear
– 7pm, Dinner: Veggie stir fry with cashew nuts
– 8:30pm, After dinner snack: Dark chocolate
Hannah emphasizes that her meals are quick and easy to prepare. She avoids processed foods and prefers fresh ingredients. She loves eggs for lunch, often with sweet potato and salad, as they’re a nutritious source of protein and vitamins. Hannah advocates against food restriction; instead, she focuses on moderation and mindful eating. She enjoys treats like dim sum and sushi, and makes sure her kids have balanced, non-restrictive diets too, though moderates sweets to avoid hyperactivity.
Hannah’s breakfast staples include bulk-prepared buckwheat pancakes, often served with nut butter. For snacks, she favors green smoothies packed with veggies and a bit of apple for sweetness. Her pantry essentials are nut butter, dark chocolate, crisps for the kids, chili flakes, pasta, eggs, and lots of veggies.
Laura Hoggins, known as @laurabiceps, is a personal trainer, podcast host, and community fitness leader. She found joy and sustainability in weightlifting and a balanced diet, rather than restrictive diets or excessive cardio. Laura’s food philosophy centers on supporting her physically demanding lifestyle. She advocates for balanced, energy-boosting meals, with an emphasis on protein to aid muscle repair.
Here’s Laura’s typical day:
– 5am, Breakfast: Oats with nut butter and banana
– 10am, Mid-morning snack: Rice cakes with nut butter or chocolate-covered rice cakes
– 1pm, Lunch: Sweet potato and feta frittata
– 3pm, Mid-afternoon snack: A banana
– 7pm, Dinner: Poached or grilled cod with vegetables and new potatoes
– 9pm, After dinner snack: Carrot sticks and hummus
Laura emphasizes the importance of meal prep to ensure she’s consuming enough calories and nutrients throughout her active day. She avoids labeling meals as ‘cheats’ to maintain a positive relationship with food. Carbohydrates, especially from sources like oats and potatoes, are crucial for her energy needs since they are the body’s preferred energy source. Snacks include high-energy options like bananas and nuts. Her approach is to eat intuitively, ensuring meals are nutrient-dense and enjoyable.
Rowan Cheshire, a British freestyle skier and personal trainer, balances her diet based on her performance needs.
Here’s Rowan’s daily eating plan:
– 7:30am, Breakfast: Omelette with poached salmon
– 10am, Mid-morning snack: Piece of fruit
– 12pm, Lunch: Chicken breast with vegetables and rice
– 3pm, Mid-afternoon snack: English breakfast tea with biscuits
– 7pm, Dinner: Veggie stir fry with quinoa
Breakfast is always high in protein for energy and muscle recovery. Her go-to is a spinach and feta cheese omelette with poached salmon. She often snacks on fruit for a quick energy boost, and post-exercise, she enjoys a balanced meal with lots of veggies and carbs like quinoa. Rowan focuses on a well-rounded diet, ensuring she gets protein, carbohydrates, and fats in each meal. She stresses the importance of moderation and avoiding extreme dietary restrictions to maintain a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.
All three health influencers highlight the importance of balanced eating, intuitive consumption based on energy needs, and not categorizing foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ to foster a healthy relationship with food. They emphasize preparation and moderation while ensuring their diets are enjoyable and supportive of their active lifestyles. This balanced approach to eating helps them stay not only in peak physical condition but also mentally satisfied.
