Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (2024)

These macro friendly recipes are the best meal prep recipes for counting macros because they’re well balanced between protein, carbs and fat!

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (1)

Have you heard of counting macros? My mom recently started and has raved about her results, so I’ve set out to learn more!

The reason I wanted to give this a try is because it does not restrict certain foods. You can eat whatever you love! You just have to try to reach certain goals for how much Protein, Carbs and Fat you’re eating every day.

The most difficult part about following a macro diet is that you have to log everything you eat. But in doing so, you learn SO MUCH about the nutritional value of what you’re eating. Rather than eating tiny amounts, the goal is to find foods with lots of volume but are low in calories and high in protein.

What Are Macros?

I can’t explain it as well as some others have, so here are some articles that explain it in more detail:

How to Calculate Macros

Here’s a macro calculator that will tell you how many grams of each macronutrient you should eat per day based on your weight, age and activity level.

Once you’ve figured out your macro goals, it’s time to start planning! I use the app MyFitnessPal to track everything I’m eating.

The Best Macro Friendly Recipes

I found it’s much easier to plan out your meals ahead of time so you know exactly how your food fits into your macros in advance. If I don’t plan, I sometimes find myself way out of balance halfway through the day and it’s hard to fix it.

That’s why these macro friendly meal prep recipes are here to help! Each one includes the macronutrient count so you can easily plan in advance.

Just make these meals a couple days in advance and refrigerate them for lunches or dinners.

By popular request, here’s the link to the Ello glass meal prep containers I use!

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (2)

Macro Friendly Recipes

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (3)

15-Minute Chicken Sausage Pasta Meal Prep Bowls

Use chickpea pasta for even more protein!

405 calories, 16F 49C 24P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (4)

Mango Salsa Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Mango Salsa Chicken Meal Prep Bowls is a healthy meal prep recipe with chicken, cilantro lime rice and mango avocado salsa.

541 calories, 18F 60C 39P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (5)

Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta

This Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta is just like the Tik Tok feta baked pasta, but instead of feta it uses Laughing Cow Cheese, which is just a bit lighter!

304 calories, 16F 30C 15P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (7)

Easy Ground Turkey Meal Prep Bowls

These Easy Ground Turkey Meal Prep Bowls are the perfect healthy recipes to save time and stay on track during the week!

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (8)

Chicken Meal Prep Bowls: 4 Ways

These Chicken Meal Prep bowls are the perfect way to stay on track with well-balanced meals for lunch and dinner!

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (9)

Photo Credit:www.kitchensanctuary.com

Spicy Chicken Nourish Bowl

Love anything with a little spice because it helps motivate me to drink more water.

462 calories, F18 38C 36P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (10)

Paleo Pancake Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls

Kodiak Cakes is my favorite brand of protein pancakes. I make these bowls once per week!

360 calories, 16F 34C 24P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (11)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls: 4 Ways

These are perfect if you're looking for macro friendly meal prep recipes for breakfast.

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (12)

Fall Harvest Meal Prep Bowls

For fewer carbs, cut down a bit on the sweet potato and apples.

308 calories, 18F 14C 36P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (13)

Veggie-Packed Chicken Salad Meal Prep

Use a low fat mayo or plain Greek yogurt to keep the fat count down on classic chicken salad.

403 calories, 14F 8C 65P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (14)

Photo Credit:www.foodfaithfitness.com

Healthy Burger in a Bowl | Food Faith Fitness

If your family is having burger night, have a burger bowl instead!

423 calories, F19 30C 33P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (15)

One Pan Sausage and Vegetables Meal Prep

This macro friendly recipe is SO easy.

162 calories, 7F 17C 10P

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (16)

Instant Pot Greek Chicken Power Bowls: Healthy Meal Prep Recipe

An Instant Pot is a must-have for macro counting. It makes prep so easy.

556 calories, F30 31C 43P

Zucchini noodles are perfect if you need a lower carb meal.

560 calories, F35 33C 34P

Plus don’t miss my list of the best macro friendly foods from Walmart. It’s a list of healthy groceries that are perfect for macro counting.

Items That Help Me with Macro Couting

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (18)

Digital Food Scale

Easiest way to make sure you're tracking correctly

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (19)

Souper Cubes 1-Cup Extra-Large Silicone Freezing Tray with Lid

Perfect for meal prepping sauces and soups to freeze in portions

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (20)

Ello Duraglass Glass Food Storage Meal Prep Containers

The best food storage containers for meal prep + leftovers

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (21)

Ninja Air Fryer

Lets you fry food without using any oil!

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (22)

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Super easy to cook chicken from frozen when you're in a pinch.

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (23)

OXO Good Grips 3 Piece Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup Set

Come clean super easily and perfect for pancake mix.

Macro Friendly Recipes: The Best Meal Prep Recipes for Counting Macros - Smile Sandwich (2024)

FAQs

What are the best foods to eat when counting macros? ›

While all foods are allowed, it's easier to meet your macro goals with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, high-quality proteins, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

How do I calculate my macros for meal prep? ›

How to Calculate Macros for any Homemade Dish
  1. Find the macro numbers for each ingredient in your dish. This is the tedious part, but it's not hard. ...
  2. Add everything up. Fat: 35g Protein: 29g Carbs: 96g.
  3. 3, Decide how much is a serving, and then divide by how many servings you have in the dish.
May 5, 2016

How do I make my own meal plan to match my macros? ›

A basic strategy would be to divide your total daily targets including calories, carbs, fat and protein by four. This would give you even macro targets for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Then, divide that 1/4 number by two to get the target macros for your two snacks.

What is a macronutrient meal plan? ›

A macro diet involves counting the intake of three macronutrients — proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It divides daily calories into proportions, such as 10–35% proteins, 20–35% fats, and 45–65% carbs.

How do I count my macros to lose belly fat? ›

Calculate Your Macros

Since each gram of carbohydrate and protein contains 4 calories, and each gram of fat contains 9 calories, you can calculate your macro needs as follows: Carbohydrates: Daily calories * 0.40 / 4 = grams of carbs per day. Proteins: Daily calories * 0.30 / 4 = grams of proteins per day.

What macros should I be eating to lose weight? ›

The best percentage of macros for weight loss

According to McMaster University research, a 5 : 3.5 : 1.5 ratio of carbs, protein and fat (when coupled with doing a four-week workout programme) can deliver healthy fat loss results. And in fact, perhaps better results than when reducing carbs and increasing protein.

What is the easiest way to count macros? ›

The most convenient way to track macros may be through a nutrition app like MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, or My Macros +. These apps are user-friendly and specifically designed to simplify tracking macros. In addition, a digital food scale may help you track your macros — though it isn't necessary.

Is there an app to enter macros and create a meal plan? ›

Generate. Meal Plans. for Your Macros. Get instant, personalized meal plans with the Prospre meal plan generator.

How much protein should I eat to lose weight? ›

If you want to lose weight, aim for a daily protein intake between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (. 73 and 1 grams per pound). Athletes and heavy exercisers should consume 2.2-3.4 grams of protein per kilogram (1-1.5 grams per pound) if aiming for weight loss.

How do I hit macros everyday? ›

How to Hit Your Macros Consistently
  1. By Coach Makenzie and Coach Sue.
  2. STEP 1: PLAN OUT A FULL DAY OF FOOD WITH EASY-TO-TRACK AND SIMPLE MEALS THAT FIT YOUR MACROS.
  3. STEP 2: EAT THE SAME MEALS FOR 2-21 DAYS.
  4. STEP 3: LEARN HOW TO COOK BASIC FOODS (SO THEY ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD)
  5. STEP 4: ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN MOVING FORWARD.

What is 40 35 25 macros meal plan? ›

Macros: 25% carbs, 40% protein, 35% fat. Who is the High Protein diet for? This diet is generally for people who are trying to build muscle. This diet is highly efficient for building muscle and body mass while reducing body fat.

Can I get all my macros in one meal? ›

Yes, it's possible to consume all your daily calories and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) in one meal rather than spreading them out throughout the day. This eating pattern is known as intermittent fasting, and one of its variations is the "one meal a day" (OMAD) approach.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for macros? ›

One approach to getting healthy is the so-called 50/30/20 diet. It's based on the idea that 50 percent of your daily calorie intake should come in the form of carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 20 percent from fat.

What is the best macro split? ›

These traditionally have been set as percentages for total calories, falling somewhere within the following USDA guidelines:
  • Carbohydrates: 45 to 65 percent.
  • Protein: 10 to 35 percent.
  • Fat: 20 to 35 percent.
Apr 15, 2016

Does it matter what you eat when counting macros? ›

Allows for flexibility in your diet

The number one IIFYM rule is that all foods can fit into your macro plan, with no foods off-limits. In other words, it doesn't matter where those grams of carbohydrates, fat, or protein are coming from, as long as they add up to your recommended total grams by the end of the day.

What is the best way to count macros? ›

The most convenient way to track macros may be through a nutrition app like MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, or My Macros +. These apps are user-friendly and specifically designed to simplify tracking macros. In addition, a digital food scale may help you track your macros — though it isn't necessary.

Does it matter what you eat if you hit your macros? ›

If I hit my macros and calories, does it matter what foods I eat if I want to lose fat and maintain muscle? Overall macros and calories matter most for fat loss and muscle maintenance, diet coach Nick Shaw said. However, prioritizing nutritious foods keeps you fuller and can make it easier to hit your targets.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6224

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.