Finding truly satisfying meals while trying to lose weight can feel like an impossible challenge. Nutrition coachLiezl Jayne Strydom discovered this firsthand before successfully losing over 40 pounds with a sustainable approach. "The biggest struggle when you're trying to lose weight is finding meals that don't leave you feeling hungry that actually keep you full," Liezl explains. Her solution? A customizable meal plan packed with protein-rich, flavorful recipes that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and most importantly, genuinely filling. Follow along to discover exactly what she ate to transform her body while never feeling deprived.
The 100g Protein Plan That Changed Everything
This customizable meal plan delivers over 100 grams of protein daily while keeping calories manageable. "I've put together an ideal day of eating for weight loss that's balanced and filling with tasty meals and snacks," Liezl shares in her recent post. The beauty of her system lies in its flexibility—you can easily adjust portions to hit your personal calorie goals anywhere from 1,200-1,800 calories. Each main meal provides approximately 400 calories, while snacks clock in around 200 calories each, making mix-and-match customization simple.
Breakfast: Quick Scrambled Egg Burrito
Start your day with this protein-packed, 5-minute meal that'll keep you satisfied all morning. "It's probably the easiest burrito that I know how to make and that is what I like for breakfast, something incredibly easy," Liezl says. Simply scramble two eggs (or use egg replacer for a vegan option), heat a tortilla, then layer with baby spinach, the scrambled eggs, salt, pepper, and two tablespoons of salsa. The result is a filling breakfast burrito with minimal effort but maximum flavor—perfect for busy mornings when you need sustainable energy.
Morning Boost: Protein-Packed Coffee
Keep your morning momentum going with this simple, protein-rich coffee that takes just minutes to prepare. "It's a very low-calorie and high-protein coffee that I've always loved," Liezl explains. Mix a teaspoon of instant coffee with a half-teaspoon of maple syrup (or sweetener of choice) and a splash of water. Heat a cup of soy milk in the microwave for about a minute, then combine with the coffee mixture. Soy milk delivers extra protein while keeping the drink dairy-free, making this a perfect morning boost at only about 80 calories.
Lunch: Spicy Chicken Mayo Sandwich
This flavor-packed sandwich delivers protein and satisfaction in equal measure. "I love a quick lunch, I love a quick meal," Liezl shares as she assembles this simple but delicious sandwich. Toast two slices of bread (80-100 calories each), then prepare the spicy chicken mayo by mixing one tablespoon mayonnaise, one teaspoon tomato sauce, a half teaspoon sriracha, smoked paprika, and lemon juice. Add 90-100g pre-cooked chicken, mix well, and spread on toast with sliced tomato and spinach for a filling, protein-rich lunch that comes together in minutes.
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Mango Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this refreshing, nutrient-dense smoothie. "It tastes like dessert," Liezl raves about this creamy treat that's become one of her daily staples. Blend one cup of frozen mango, half a cup of frozen raspberries, and about 80 calories worth of yogurt (Liezl uses coconut yogurt, but any type works). Add a half-teaspoon of maple syrup or sweetener of choice for a perfectly balanced smoothie that delivers protein, fiber, and natural sweetness in every sip—ideal for that mid-afternoon energy dip.
Dinner: Chickpea and Rice Stir Fry
This versatile dinner offers plant or animal protein options while delivering serious flavor. "Don't judge it before you try it. It's better than it sounds, I promise," Liezl insists about this surprisingly delicious meal. Sauté an onion until caramelized, then add either cubed tofu or pre-cooked chicken for protein. Mix in a can of drained chickpeas, frozen peas, and cooked rice (about two cups). Season with turmeric, onion powder, ginger powder, soy sauce, a touch of sweetener, salt, pepper, and finish with handfuls of baby spinach and fresh lemon juice.
Meal Prep Magic
Turn dinner into tomorrow's effortless meals with simple batch cooking. "Often when I'm making dinner, I just throw in some extra portions and then I don't have to cook tomorrow," Liezl explains. Her chickpea and rice stir fry works perfectly for this approach—simply make extra and portion into containers for quick meals throughout the week. This strategy saves significant time while ensuring you always have a healthy, protein-rich option ready when hunger strikes, making it easier to stick with your weight loss plan.
Evening Treat: Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn
End your day with this perfectly balanced sweet-salty snack that satisfies cravings without derailing progress. "It makes the perfect after-dinner snack, especially if you want to watch something," Liezl says. Air-pop about one-eighth cup of popcorn kernels (no oil needed), then prepare a simple sauce of one tablespoon peanut butter, one tablespoon milk of choice, and a teaspoon of maple syrup. Drizzle over the salted popcorn and top with 10-15 dark chocolate chips for a guilt-free treat that hits all the right notes.
Customize Your Calories
Tailor this meal plan to perfectly match your weight loss goals with simple adjustments. "It's really easy to mix and match things to get the amount of calories you want for the day," Liezl explains. For a 1200-calorie day, include all three main meals. At 1400 calories, add one snack of your choice. For 1600 calories, enjoy both snacks alongside the main meals. And if you're aiming for 1800 calories, include everything plus a double portion of the smoothie. This flexibility makes the plan sustainable for different body types and weight loss stages.
The Simple Point System
Keep tracking effortlessly with Liezl's straightforward approach to meal planning. "All the meals are four points and all the snacks are two points," Liezl shares about her intuitive system. This simple framework makes daily planning nearly effortless—no complicated calculations required. By assigning point values rather than obsessing over exact calorie counts, you can focus on consistency and enjoyment rather than restriction. This psychological shift played a crucial role in Liezl's sustainable 42-pound weight loss journey.
Protein: The Secret Weapon
Hitting 100+ grams of protein daily is the hidden key to feeling satisfied and full while losing weight. "If you eat all of this, if you have all these meals and snacks, you're going to be getting more than 100 grams of protein for the day," Liezl emphasizes. This higher protein approach helps maintain muscle mass during weight loss while significantly reducing hunger between meals. By prioritizing protein at every meal and snack, you naturally crowd out less satisfying foods while keeping your metabolism running efficiently throughout your weight loss journey.
Why This Approach Works
These meals helped Liezl lose 42 pounds by solving the most common weight loss obstacles. "Every single time I look through these now I'm reminded that during this time in my life when I was trying to lose weight, what I really really struggled with was finding low calorie meals that tasted good, that were balanced with all the food groups, and that were filling," Liezl reflects. By creating simple, protein-rich recipes that actually taste delicious, she removed the biggest barriers to sustainable weight loss—hunger, boredom, and complexity—making healthy eating feel effortless rather than exhausting. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.
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