We have a certified Health and Wellness coach on staff to help guide you with all your diet and nutritional needs
In this section, I'll start with the basics to give our new hires an idea of what to expect and how to pack for different phases of their training and career.
After that, I'll get more specific with actual shopping and packing lists for those that are still struggling. I'll show how to make the most of the space that you have available and how to take both nutrition and cost into your meal plan
the last phase will be to produce photos and videos that will step you through the entire process and maybe even introduce you to some new recipes and food ideas that will give you a new energy about the food you pack for your trips.
Expectations:
For those of you just starting out, the good news is you have a fairly consistent level of predictability during the training phases. Initially, you will most likely be on a typical 9-5 or maybe 8-4 type of schedule. You should have time to grab a decent breakfast at the hotel you are being logged at. Lunches probably won't be provided and the duration of your lunch break will vary depending on which company you are with.
You have the option of prepping meals in the same manner as you will once you begin flying. If that interests you, just jump to that section. I was staying in a hotel that didn't have a kitchenette so meal prep wasn't an option for me during this phase. My primary goal was to keep my expenses low and even set a goal of not exceeding $4 per lunch meal. Here are the options I found that worked for me:
-Pre-made salads from the deli section at the grocery store. They have both green leaf style salads as well as pasta salads. these are between $2.50 and $5.00
-next option is to buy pre-cooked, pre-cut chicken strips from the meat section. This is usually sold in bags labeled for fajitas. I would also buy minute rice in individual microwaveable containers. The chicken is around $7 for 22oz, which will get you 2 or 3 good meals depending on how much you like to eat. The rice is about $1 per serving. They are both heated in the microwave which makes this an easy option for the crew lounge or anywhere that option is available. You can add your favorite sauce to this simple mixture and have a pretty good meal. I usually added some sliced peppers to snack on and get my vegetable intake.
-The third option is by far the most convenient and one that has some great health benefits. If you're able to get a full breakfast in the morning, I recommend a meal replacement option for your lunch. It's easy to pack, doesn't require refrigeration or heating, and is great if you don't get a long break. During certain phases of your training, like IPTs, you might not be allocated a lunch break at all. This would be the perfect time to mix up a shake, satisfy your cravings, and fulfill your nutritional requirements.
Meals, recipes, shopping lists. click on the pictures for more info
Meal replacement and supplements
The picture below is a great example of why we are so adamant about having a meal replacement and nutrition plan. Our lifestyle makes it difficult to maintain our health and even harder to make up for any setbacks that we've already encountered. We need to take advantage of products like this that will give us the edge and get our health back on track. I personally saw a significant reduction in belly fat from the meal replacement alone. This improved dramatically once I added a fitness routine into my plan. I'll cover the details of that plan on the fitness page.
Email our certified Health and Wellness coach to find out how you could see results like this even with our lifestyle. If you're interested, there are options to make an income with these products either through sales or even with before and after photos. Even if the income doesn't interest you, the products are still worth a look. My promise to you is that we will never pressure you. We are here to answer your questions and guide you but you decide how fast and how far you want to go with it.