Looking to shed pounds while still fueling your body with essential nutrients? Macro-balanced meals might just be your secret weapon. By carefully balancing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, these meals ensure you get the right mix of nutrients to boost your metabolism, maintain energy levels, and promote healthy weight loss.
We checked in with Catherine Gervacio, registered dietitian and a certified exercise nutrition coach from Living.Fit, to learn about six macro-balanced meals you should eat because they are full of nutrients and can also help with weight loss. She revealed that egg and veggie breakfast wrap, Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, grilled chicken salad with quinoa and avocado, chickpea and vegetable buddha bowl, beef and broccoli stir-fry, and cottage cheese with pineapple and almonds are the ones to eat. Read on to find out why.
1. Egg and Veggie Breakfast Wrap
This wrap provides complex carbohydrates, which supply steady energy and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Adding veggies like bell peppers, spinach, and tomatoes introduces fiber-rich carbs that aid digestion and keep you full.
"This is a good macro-balanced meal to start the day with whole grain tortilla, scrambled eggs, spinach, bell peppers, onions, avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese. Eggs and cheese are a good source of high-quality protein to support muscle repair and metabolic health while avocado provide healthy fats and fiber," Gervacio says. She adds, "Whole grain tortilla also offers fiber and sustained energy release. This meal combines lean proteins and a good amount of fiber to increase satiety and prevent overeating at different meal times, contributing to weight loss."
2. Greek Yogurt with Berries and Nuts
Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which is crucial for muscle maintenance and repair. Protein also promotes satiety, helping you feel full longer and reducing overall calorie intake. The fiber in berries and nuts aids in digestion, helps control blood sugar levels, and promotes a healthy gut.
"This is another breakfast meal for those who want to reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels in their blood. Greek yogurt is high in protein and provides probiotics for gut health, berries are low in calories and antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, while nuts provide healthy fats," she notes. "The fiber, healthy fats, and probiotics content of this meal aids in a healthy gut microbiome which is linked to better weight management and reduced inflammation."
3. Grilled Chicken Salad with Quinoa and Avocado
This salad is packed with a variety of vegetables that contribute essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Quinoa is also rich in iron and magnesium. Vegetables and avocados provide antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.
Gervacio says, "This meal's high protein and fiber content keeps you full longer, reducing overall calorie intake. Healthy fats stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing cravings. This meal can be easily prepared with grilled chicken breast, mixed greens (spinach, kale, arugula), quinoa, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of nuts or seeds."
4. Chickpea and Vegetable Buddha Bowl
The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats in this bowl creates a meal that is filling but not calorie-dense, helping to control overall calorie intake without feeling deprived. Vegetables and ingredients like nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from oxidative stress and support a healthy immune system.
"For vegetarians, this buddha bowl is a great choice. Vegetables are generally low in calories but high in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, for weight loss. Chickpeas are a good source of plant-based protein which is needed for maintaining muscle mass, which in turn supports a healthy metabolism and helps burn more calories at rest," Gervacio says.
5. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Broccoli and other vegetables included in this stir-fry provide key vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients support overall health, digestion, and help keep you full. Depending on how it's prepared, a beef and broccoli stir-fry can include whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, providing complex carbohydrates that supply steady energy and keep blood sugar levels stable.
"This meal is made of lean beef strips, broccoli, bell peppers, onions, garlic, ginger, low-sodium soy sauce, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-calorie version. Other than the meal's high-protein and high-fiber profile, it is also rich in iron and B vitamins to support energy production and overall metabolic health, helping your body to efficiently convert food into energy," she states.
6. Cottage Cheese with Pineapple and Almonds
Cottage cheese is a great source of protein. Protein has a high thermic effect, meaning it requires more energy to digest, contributing to calorie burning. Almonds provide healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and can help you feel full and satisfied. These fats also aid in nutrient absorption.
"This can be eaten as a light meal or a snack. However, I can say that it is macro-balanced with all complete protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The high protein content of cottage cheese promotes satiety and muscle maintenance. Healthy fats from almonds help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing cravings. Pineapple is a good source of fiber and carbohydrates, too. This is a light meal (or healthy snack) for those who are looking for ways to reduce calories," Gervacio reveals.
She concludes by adding that "even when a meal is healthy or macro-balanced, it's still important to keep in mind the serving portions because excessive intake can lead to consuming more calories than your body needs, which can hinder weight loss or even lead to weight gain." Controlling your portions ensures you enjoy the benefits of nutritious foods without overloading on calories. It's wise to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the appropriate caloric deficit that aligns with your fitness and health objectives.
