By Shaina Zazzaro
The 80/20 rule. What is it?
I asked my husband what I should write about in this next article and this one was his idea. So shout out to Mike.
He mentioned the 80/20 rule since it is how he has lost weight and how we live. So what is it?
Basically, you eat super on point for 80% of the time — healthy meals, no junk food. I don’t mean you have to eat carrots and chicken all day. You can have a huge variety of portioned meals, like the ones we offer at Effortlessly Healthy — portioned meals.
There are 21 meals in a week, seven breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners. So this means eat 16 of your meals stricter than up to four of them. I will tell you right now, if you do your own meal prep, or buy a meal prep it will make your life easier for following this rule. Being on the go, going through the drive-thru will make it so you are more 20/80 not 80/20. Going out to eat is the easiest way to overeat without realizing it.
For example: Breakfast. I think breakfast is probably the easiest meal of the day to eat super healthy, but beware of what you perceive to be super healthy. A smoothie or a açaí bowl can add up to be heavy on calories and sugar.
I personally opt for always having protein, whether it is a protein yogurt or eggs. Trust me, you need protein and if you eat a whole egg you’re getting so many natural vitamins (eggs really are nature’s vitamin) and fats that keep you fuller longer.
Switch your cereal for eggs and toast and I bet you will be able to make it to lunch without a snack. (I wish my daughter would listen to me on this one!)
Lunch: now here is where people will start to have a hard time. There is nothing wrong with packing a lunch with you. I will pack my lunch and walk right into an event, because if I don’t want to eat what they are serving (unless it’s Effortlessly Healthy) I can pull out my meal and not ruin my 80/20 rule by eating it.
I don’t know why people are afraid to carry around a lunch box, I love having my drinks and lunch available to me at all times. Maybe I’m the anomaly of the world!
Dinner: now here is where I personally like saving my 20% for. I like eating out at least once a week and I want to enjoy myself. I won’t skip an appetizer. I love trying new foods! So think about it, you can bring your lunch to work five days a week and then you can go out to dinner, enjoy appetizers, some wine and a great meal and not ruin your diet for the week!
See, life in moderation!
Dessert you ask? I always save room for dessert and if you put a chocolate chip cookie in front of me I cannot ignore that cookie! Give me a warm cookie skillet and really make my day. Life in moderation.
Eat healthy 80% of the time so that 20% when you have that indulging food you are still able to reach your healthy goals and still feel great!
I’m not trying to keep plugging my company, but I created Effortlessly Healthy to help people on the go enjoy healthy meals, effortlessly. So if you are someone that is finding yourself spending a lot of money and calories on takeout, look into meal prep. If you don’t want to use EH, no hard feelings, there are many companies out there. But know that meal prep companies can help you stay on track and in line to go out to dinner.
Since we are really getting to know each other — if you’re curious to know where I love to eat out, my favorite restaurants are as followed: Rocco for Italian, and for steak I always choose Max Chophouse or Black & Blue Steak & Crab. Try O’Reins in Greece for gelato that you will crave every day of your life. Trust me.
If you have a restaurant I need to try, shoot me a message @ShainaZazzaro
Shaina Zazzaro is a devoted wife and mother of two, blending her roles with a passion for health and wellness. She is the owner and chief executive officer of local meal delivery service, Effortlessly Healthy. For more information, visit www.ehmeals.com.