Every week we receive emails asking for more details about the Fab Four and making this philosophy work for your lifestyle. Why those four food categories? How do you use them to build meals or whip up smoothies? What are some of the best sources of each? If you’ve had similar questions, this series is for you. Follow along as we answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
This week we’re tackling questions about meal planning and grocery shopping.
Staying committed to a healthy lifestyle requires planning. If you go to the grocery store with no idea of what to make in the next few days, you’ll probably end up with a cart full of random items that may or may not make a meal worth eating. This also means you’ll likely need to spend more money than you planned because you’ll have to go back to get more ingredients or go out to eat for an actual meal. Not to mention actually getting to the grocery store may be just one more dreaded task on your to-do list.
Let’s help you avoid all that hassle with a few grocery and meal planning basics.
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Use Meal Templates. Just like the Fab Four Smoothie, I like to use formulas over recipes to mix up my meals. A few great examples are tacos or lettuce cups, cauliflower rice bowls, pasta night with zoodles, sheet pan dinners, soup or stew or a salad. For example, if I know I want to make a chicken cobb salad I will opt for shrimp tacos and turkey chili to mix up the flavors, proteins and vegetables.
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Stock up on basics. There are things I always like to have on hand. Plenty of vegetables, amazing meat from Butcher Box, Force of Nature or Thrive Market, Primal Kitchen sauces or dressings, and soups or all green juices from Erewhon Market are some of my favorites. Not to mention, it’s always a great idea to have your Fab Four Smoothie staples stocked and ready to go. You can subscribe on Amazon so you never run out of your favorite protein, fat, fiber, greens, and superfood sources. You can also see how I stock my fridge and some of my grocery staples on my IGTV.
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Make a list. Picking out 2 or 3 recipes ahead of time and making a list of ingredients you need can really save you money and headaches all along the grocery process (don’t forget to check what you already have in your pantry as well). You can easily search my website for recipes with common ingredients to cut down your list and your budget. I’ve also got tons of Fab Four friendly recipes on my Pinterest.
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Once you’ve got your meals planned for the week you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a couple of bridge snacks available so you’re not reaching for something sugary or starchy in the afternoon. You can go the savory route with a great bone broth, jerky, a handful of nuts, or a spoonful of nut butter. If you are craving something on the sweeter side, opt for something low sugar like these chocolates.
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I’m the last person to say you have to swear off your favorite foods forever in the name of health. That being said, if cereal is one of your grocery staples it’s wise to find a healthier sub. Traditional cereal contains processed acellular grains, industrial seed oils and loads of sugar. Magic Spoon is a great alternative for those of us who still crave those childhood favorites but don’t want to deal with the sugary side effects. These cereals are high protein, keto, gluten free, lactose free, grain free - aka the best of both worlds! Use code KELLYLEVEQUE for $5 off your order.
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Make your life easier with delivery. I know your schedule is busy and grocery shopping takes time and planning. This is where grocery delivery comes in and changes the game. Grocery pickup and delivery from your local stores can save you so much time and energy. You can also take time to build your list ahead of time and avoid those impulse buys staring you down in the checkout line. Thrive Market is my go-to when it comes to grocery delivery. Everything is excellent quality, organic, non-GMO, and they make it incredibly easy to search and find exactly what you want - whether that’s clean beauty or delicious, quality foods!
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If you’re a meat-eater, focus on high-quality meats. You can definitely find good meat options at your local grocery store and if you have the opportunity to buy locally raised meats that’s another excellent option. If you’re loving the idea of grocery delivery, you can also check out Butcher Box. Choose one of their preset boxes or customize your own with high-quality meat products delivered right to your door. They’ll even provide you with recipes, making that one less thing you have to worry about.
Meal planning and grocery shopping can be time-consuming. With a little effort and forethought, you can take a lot of pain out of the process. This may also take a little bit of practice, but setting up your meals and having wholesome snacks available will help you stay on track with the Fab Four lifestyle.
