I’m baffled by the number of women who still count calories. We know the dinosaur thinking of “calories in, calories out” is a farce, a myth, and incredibly shortsighted. The fitness industry wants you to believe it so they can sell you something like an app to track your calories. The nutrition industry wants you to continue to search for THE perfect combo of calories and foods so miraculously you’ll have that body of the woman on their IG post. 

But I want you to know the truth. 

Weight loss and maintenance comes down to confidence in your journey and intuitively fueling your body. It is about so much more than counting calories. It is about our emotional health. It’s about our sleep. It’s about how we are metabolically utilizing our nutrients or not. 

I thought I’d share my favorite foods I eat so you can see that, other than water, the foods I eat are calorie dense. In other words, I get a big bang for my food buck. With my hectic schedule, eating foods that are nutrient and possibly also calorie dense is my ticket to being as strong as I can be. I am not necessarily including the calorie count because I don’t really care about it. If nature made it, I know it’s okay for me to eat! 

Avocado. While high in calories and “fat,” this nutrition goddess packs a major punch. Avocados are rich in fiber, a multitude of vitamins and minerals we all need, they are also about 300-350 calories. They are worth every calorie to me. And they taste delicious!

Eggs. Often misunderstood, the egg is a powerful tool to reaching my daily protein goals. I love that the egg is portable. I’m often seen walking from my car to my office with a container of eggs, avocados, and toast. They are packed with vitamins like B12, which is also often declining in menopausal women. They range from 6-7 grams of protein and are super filling. And, they too, taste delicious. 

Chicken. I admit it: I prefer chicken over beef. I recognize beef has many more nutrients than chicken, yet chicken is more palatable for me and goes with so many other foods. It can be on a bed of spinach or any veggie or rice. I often cut up or shred chicken and use it In a cassava tortilla. I like my chicken with some kind of sauce and lately it is our trusty dill chicken that is in my lunch container. 

Brussels Sprouts or broccoli. These vegetables are packed with tons of vitamins and are antioxidants. While broccoli can be a pain to pull out from between my teeth, I still tend to eat it at least once a week since it is so incredibly good for me (hello floss!). Both brussels sprouts and broccoli are easily portable, can be eaten hot or cold, and go with pretty much any sauce. 

Water. While I know the importance of drinking water, I am so often dehydrated. And even just a little dehydration can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. On the days I don't train in the morning, my water consumption is abysmal. However, I spice it up with electrolytes for taste and to help keep my body hydrated. I try to get at least 60 ounces of water each day and encourage you to, as well. 

So there you have it – my favorites for weight loss and maintenance. If you need support on how to intuitively fuel your body, I encourage you to connect with me so we can discuss which of my programs works best for you. Sign up for a FREE, brief consultation. 

SEE ALSO: Why I Beg You to Lift Weights