***I am not a professional nutritionist or a professional coach/trainer. Everything that I say is all from my own experience with trial and error. I'm just sharing my fitness journey with you all. I am also not sponsored by any company, just my own thoughts and opinions.
For now I am only tracking my calories which is set to 1,600 a day and I'm also looking out for my protein for the day. I aim to be at 60g-100g of protein for non-workout days. I aim to be at 130g protein for workout days which are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
I am an ectomorph meaning I have a thin body build and it's hard for me to get fat and most of the time eat whatever I can/want type but doesn't mean I do. So you and I can have different body type and different needs for macros and caloric intake.
It is pretty challenging at first and was actually pretty shocking how much calorie intake you eat when you are tracking. I use MyPlate app to track which is a Livestrong app. I also go to
www.myfitnesspal.com when I can't find something, especially when it's filipino food. It was also challenging to make sure I track everything because there were times that I forgot and I was inconsistent with tracking and was off an on at it.
I am more serious now than ever, so I don't have a problem forgetting about it. If you are new just try it out, don't feel that bad for your first week if you do go over your daily caloric intake, next thing you know you will be disappointed at yourself for going over, and maybe failing your sets at the gym because you didn't get much protein and ate a lot of junk, etc.
I don't measure or weigh my food or anything. I kind of just eyeball my rice, and I don't finish my rice anyway.
If it's packaged then it's very accurate especially because you can scan the barcode in the back of the wrappers and it will input the right information for you.
If it's from a restaurant or something and if I for example ate Chicken Katsu I just look up Chicken Katsu and look at the most accurate measurements that looks right to me. If I don't finish my food and I ate only half of it I change the serving size.
Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Heavenly Crisp (6 bars in a box)
Serving Size 1 bar
-110 Calories per bar
-Carbs 14g
-Fat 6g
-Protein 1g
-Fiber 1g
*I get this at Target or Walmart but I usually get it from Target because if I buy multiple ones a print out coupon is usually given to me $2 off if you buy 2 boxes or 3 boxes. They are sometimes on sale 2 for $4. Other than the Skinny Cow Ice Cream this is my ultimate favorite chocolate bar!
Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle Candy Bar (6 bars in a box)
Serving size 1 bar
-130 calories per bar
-Carbs 12g
-Fat 8g
-Protein 1g
-Fiber 0g
*I get this at Target or Walmart but also buy this most of the time at Target because of the coupon they give at the register if you buy multiple ones.
Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream Bar (6 bars in a box)
Serving size 1 bar
-100 Calories per bar
-Carbs 19g
-Fat 2.5g
-Fiber 3g
*I get this usually from Target and I see select ones at Walmart. I love their ice cream and I am looking forward to grocery shopping this week to try more flavors!
Kellogg's Special K Chocolatey Pretzel Cereal Bars
Serving size 1 bar
-90 calories per bar
-Carbs 16g
-Fat 2g
-Protein less than 1g
I get this from Walmart or Target, they also give coupons sometimes at Target during checkout.
**Everything that I mentioned so far are just snacks or if I'm craving something sweet or if I'm just a little bit hungry. As you can tell they don't have a lot of protein, but they are for my cravings or something to snack on. I love all of them because they taste really good but it won't really hurt my calorie intake for the day, so I can probably afford to eat 3 of them a day if I wanted to.
My Quest items are for when I am saving my calories for maybe a dinner out and I only want to get minimal calories from it, but pretty decent amount of protein to fill me up for a while. These are also great pre workout snacks or post workout snacks. I do love getting protein before and after the gym just to make sure I can lift heavier, and after to supplement my muscles that torn up from the workout.
Quest Bar Protein Bar Chocolate Brownie
Serving size 1 bar
-Calories 170 per bar
-Carbs 24g
-Fat 6g
-Protein 20g
-Fiber 19g
Also another favorite flavor from Quest Bar is Cookies and Cream!
Quest Bar Protein Chips in BBQ (Cheddar and Sour Cream is also a fave flavor!)
Serving size 1 bag
-Calories 120 per serving
-Carbs 5g
-Fat 2g
-Protein 21g
*I get Quest Products online on their website because they sell in bundle $2.39 each for the protein bars but if you get them in a bundle with 12 bars it's $33.48 but is on sale for $24.99. Protein Chips are $2.39 per bag or $16.75 for a box of 8 chips. Body Building dot com also sells Quest products now.
If you don't want to order online and if you just want to try one out and not worry about shipping etc. I would get them at your local gym, local protein store or nutrition store, or at GNC.
Quest is based in Los Angles, they do ship all over the U.S. and they also ship internationally.
Quest also sells Protein Powders and Pasta. I really want to try their protein powders. I still have an Isopure Chocolate Protein Shake that I need to finish. I did finish an Isopure Banana Protein Shake which I got from
www.bodybulding.com so far that is my favorite protein shake.
*Cool thing about Quest is they give you recipes on their website on how to make your protein bar into a brownie, etc. and protein chips can also be used as bread crumbs for your chicken breast, etc.
Next Fitness Post: My Favorite Guilt-Free Drinks and Protein Shake
