Nutritionist becomes Viral for Sharing Useful Food Swaps

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Nutrition guru and blogger Amanda Meixner (@meowmeix) suggested smart food choices so you don’t have to be miserable in eating tasteless food to avoid calories. Using a simple way to understand the formula based on infographics and attractive food comparisons, her yummy yet healthy diet tips have earned her over 740k followers on Instagram.

“Want to lose weight without counting calories? 🙌 Here are some easy swaps to help you head in that direction. Take those rice cakes, add some almond butter on top, sliced banana & have the kombucha on the side & you have yourself a meowmeix approved snack,” she wrote on one of her posts.

Meixner recommends preparing your meals in advance so you can save yourself from taking snacks on the go. Check out these simple food swaps you can try.

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It’s what we do repeatedly that can make or break us! Small healthy tweaks can really add up I promise you 😘 and you don’t need to wait till a Monday or a new month, you can start now 😃💪 . Candy 🍭 ➡️ Fruit 🍉 – People always ask me what’s a great option if you have a sweet tooth! Fruit of course. While candy has a crap ton of ingredients, processed sugar, food dyes & all the unhealthy junk you don’t want in your body, fruit has vitamins, minerals, fiber and is often loaded with water 💦 . Regular crackers ➡️ Flax crackers – While most crackers are nutrient deficient & include irritants like gluten or flour, flax crackers are packed with fiber, healthy fats & protein. That’s why they’ll leave you feeling more full than their flimsy counterparts 🙌 . Coffee creamers ➡️ coconut oil 🥥- Love your coffee creamy? Coconut oil is a great option over processed creamers with added sugars & ingredients. Simply just add your coffee with 1/2 to 1 tbsp coconut oil to a blender, blend it and it comes out super creamy! Add a packet of stevia for sweetness if you like 😋 . P.S. you can totally treat yourself – just be aware of what you do on a regular basis. Inspired by @blonde.health — . . . . #cleaneating #fitfood #healthyeating #healthyfood #cleaneats #nutrition #protein #paleo #healthychoices #iifym #healthylifestyle #flexibledieting #mealprep #foodprep #glutenfree #cleanfood #weightloss #mealplan #healthyliving #eathealthy #mealprepsunday #mealprepping #macros #fitnessfood #mealprepmonday #lowcarb #healthylife #instahealth #getfit

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Eat more, weigh less! 🌱 . Both omnivore & vegan diets can be either healthy or unhealthy, depending on your approach! . On the left side there’s the straw man example of the omnivore diet that gets used all too often. Sure, maybe some eat like this, but it’s clear this is an unfair representation of the proper approach (tips below). — Now the right side of this post is a great representation.. Fill your plate with mostly veggies like you’re a vegetarian, but just add a little high quality meat. — Tips for the Healthy Omnivore: 1. Make meat a side dish rather than a main dish. 2. Choose organic grass-fed beef or bison (I’ve been ordering Yak lately), pastured cage-free poultry & eggs, wild fish or other game when possible. 3. When you don’t know the source (eating out), choose lower-fat cuts of meat. Toxins accumulate in animal fat. 4. Try and source quality meat from local farmers (farmers markets) or from online vendors with quality practices. 5. Avoid processed meats with nitrites/nitrosamines and high amounts of table salt. There are nitrite-free versions of bacon and sausage available. 6. Take a day off.. I know some people who love meat and still go vegan for one or 2 days/week — (Left) Saddest Meal Ever 2 eggs 2 tbsp butter 1 bread roll 4 pieces bacon Half a snickers bar — (Right) Omnivore Salad: 4 cups spinach 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 beets 1/2 yellow bell pepper 1/2 orange bell pepper 2 pasture-raised eggs 3oz kimchi 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (not shown) — Info & tips by my boyfriend @chris.rocchio_Fit Photo by yours truly @MeowMeix — #nutrition #weightloss #protein #food #fitness #fitspo #personaltrainer #motivation #mealprep #mealplan #organicfood #functionalfood #paleo #cleaneating #paleodiet #healthyeating #instahealth #getfit #paleofood #realfood #mealprepsunday #organic #grassfed #paleolifestyle #fitfood #omnivore #comparison #health #nutrition #healthy

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Because there is a healthy way to approach weight loss and starving yourself is not the answer! . I’ve been there. I’ve been confused about how to change my eatings habits. I went down the wrong path of just eating less processed foods until I wasn’t eating much at all. . I’m here to tell you you’re not alone. I’m here to tell you that there is a healthy way to lose weight & still have fun along the way 🤗 . Will it be super easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely. . My favorite part about switching over to more nutrient-dense, less-processed foods is that you feel like you’re eating more volume when you fill your plate with loads of veggies, fruit & the right amount of protein, carbs & healthy fats for you. . And when you’re fueling your body right overall, you definitely won’t feel guilty about having the occasional treat because we all know that will not ruin your progress 😄 Xoxo Amanda . Left side: nothing with a side of air . Right side: Breakfast – @HempleNutrition Bar, Snack – small orange + @gtskombucha, Lunch – Egg Salad Jar, Supper (3pm) – Grass-fed ground beef, squash, broccoli, + tomatoes, Dinner – Grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms + cauliflower rice, Night snack – 2 rice cakes with 2 tbsp PB + protein shake. . •. . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #paleo #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #active

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Healthy swaps really make a difference in your nutrition routine! ❤️ I love showing easy, healthy substitutes because a healthy lifestyle is all about making small changes that add up to big results in the long run. . 🍁 Commercial syrup ➡️ Maple syrup – Commercial syrup like the brand Aunt Jemima has 11 ingredients including artificial flavoring & fake colors & doesn’t include even a drop of maple syrup. The biggest two ingredients are corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup which has shown to be inflammatory because of it’s highly processed nature & is linked to fatty liver. Maple syrup on the other hand has antioxidants, minerals & a lower glycemic index than table sugar. . 🥗 Fat free dressing ➡️ regular/paleo dressing – In order to absorb vitamins like A, D, E.& K, your body needs the added fat! That’s why getting some healthy fats from your dressing is important because it makes these vitamins more bio-available. Fat-free dressings also often include inflammatory oils like soybean oil, canola oil etc. Skip the added junk & try @primalkitchenfoods for a real food ingredient dressing. . 🍓 Commercial granola ➡️ Fruit + nuts (or paleo granola) – Many processed granolas have inflammatory oils like canola oil or high fructose corn syrup. Fruit and crumbled nuts would be a much safer bet. Plus you can keep the calories lower if you pack on more fruit. @paleopassionfoods is also another option if you’re looking for a clean granola. . . . . #paleo #cleaneating #glutenfree #paleodiet #healthyeating #whole30 #primal #healthyfood #cleaneats #fitfood #mealprep #nutrition #lowcarb #lchf #healthychoices #jerf #paleolifestyle #organic #bbg #dairyfree #keto #grainfree #weightloss #realfood #getfit #paleofood #sugarfree #healthyliving

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White Rice vs. Brown Rice 🙌 Did you know white rice is actually brown rice with the germ and bran removed? Both have their pros & cons. I know I love my brown rice cakes 🤣 . Love this post by @mealpreponfleek. Full breakdown below: . White rice is brown rice with the germ and bran removed. Despite a common misconception, the macronutrient & calorie contents of the two are relatively the same (calculations in photo are based off 45g measurements). . Brown rice is a great source of manganese, selenium, and magnesium. Unfortunately for white rice lovers, some fiber and most nutrients are stripped away during the refining process, which leaves it with very few essential nutrients. Brown rice does, however, contain phytic acid, which offers some health benefits, but it reduces your body’s ability to absorb iron and zinc from the diet. *Keep in mind to avoid deficiencies of these crucial nutrients. . White rice also has a much higher glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly a particular food increases blood sugar. White rice has a GI of 89 while brown rice has a GI of 50. This can be significant to diabetics and those with insulin resistance. . Brown Rice has other health benefits you may not know about. It contains lignans – plant compounds that have been shown to reduce the amount of fat in the blood and lower blood pressure, and studies suggest it can help reduce several risk factors for heart disease. Brown rice also contains many powerful antioxidants that are not present in white rice. . Don’t be so quick to discard the white rice, because it has it’s benefits too. It is easier to digest and is great for refueling muscles with glycogen post-workout, which is one of the reasons why a lot of athletes choose it over brown rice. . . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #paleo #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #determination #healthylifestyle #whiterice #rice

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Which side would you pick? 🤗 . ☕️ While bullet proof coffee is a fine choice to have in your nutrition routine, you definitely can’t count that concoction as calorie free. Many of the recipes online & in coffee shops call for 2 tbsp grass-fed butter & 1 tbsp coconut oil. Now, that’s a lot of extra calories! . 🥞 Many bullet proof fans use this combo as a way to skip breakfast & you can see why that works out since it’s the same amount of calories. In fact if you were switching from a highly-processed, high-calorie breakfast to bulletproof coffee you would lose weight since you end up eating less calories. . 🍳 However if you prefer eating real food for breakfast instead of a drink that right side would be a much better option for you! You could also scale back on the avocado & add 1/2 tbsp MCT oil to your coffee to get some of the added benefits of this healthy fat without too many added calories! . Left side: Coffee blended with 1 tbsp MCT Oil 2 tbsp grass-fed butter . Right side: 1 piece Ezekiel toast 2 medium boiled eggs 1/2 yellow pepper 1/2 red pepper 1/4 avocado 2 1/2 cups spinach Black coffee with stevia . Inspired by @maxfit recent post! ❤️ . . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #coffeetime #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #cafe #paleo #coffeelover #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #coffeeaddict #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #coffeegram #latte

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“I regret eating clean.” – Said no one ever. Unless, it’s a bar soap 😉 haha Ok just kidding about the soap swap because sometimes you just need a damn cookie. I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention ❤️More info on the other swaps below: . Flavored oatmeal ➡️ Oatmeal with fruit – Skip the hidden sugars & preservatives when you get plain oatmeal and add your own fruit (Plus, stevia if desired). Not all flavored oatmeals are created equal so if you do want a flavored one try to find one that has less sugar & added preservatives. . Ketchup ➡️ hot sauce or mustard – Not only does ketchup have a lot of sugar per tbsp but many brands have High Fructose Corn Syrup added. Made mostly from genetically modified corn, high fructose corn syrup is not natural and definitely not healthy. Hot sauces and mustards are a much safer bet and will save you the added sugar! (Or find a clean ketchup if it’s a must-have for you) . Sugar cookie ➡️ soap – Ok don’t do this swap 😉 Shower with the soap and enjoy a cookie in moderation when you want it! . . . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #paleo #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #soap #glutenfree #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #healthylifestyle

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Healthy swaps add up! 💫 If you’re trying to improve your health, small changes definitely make a difference over time. Here a few ideas to add to your nutrition routine: . 🍁 Agave ➡️ Maple Syrup (or honey) – Agave syrup is highly refined & the end product leaves you with a sweetener with the highest amount of fructose (damaging sugar) of any commercial sweetener on the market. It has about a 2:1 fructose to glucose ratio which is higher than high fructose corn syrup’s 1:1 ratio – yikes! Organic, pure maple syrup is much less processed, better choice & contains up to 24 antioxidants. . 🍒 Flavored yogurt ➡️ Greek Yogurt + Fruit – While the flavored yogurt has 28g sugar & 6g protein, the greek yogurt + 1/2 cup raspberries has 9g sugar & 21g protein. The worst part about this flavored yogurt is the use of food dyes and added fillers/preservatives. You can definitely find a cleaner flavored yogurt but make sure to read the label! . 🍓 Store-bought jam ➡️ Mashed berries – Store-bought jam not only contains a lot of sugar but it also contains ingredients like high fructose corn syrup & other preservatives. Mashed up raspberries or strawberries are a great alternative & only contains one ingredient 😉 . . . . #cleaneating #healthyeating #nutrition #cleaneats #mealprep #foodprep #fitfood #protein #weightloss #mealplan #greekyogurt #healthychoices #mealprepsunday #healthyfood #mealprepping #macros #mealprepmonday #flexibledieting #iifym #instahealth #glutenfree #getfit #gains #meals #healthyliving #healthylifestyle

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