Like many working professionals, her days were packed — back-to-back meetings, rushed deadlines, and a vending machine down the hall whispering her name at 3 p.m.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to eat healthier,” Zuri explains. “I just didn’t have time to think, let alone prep meals.”
She tried ordering salads or skipping lunch altogether, but neither solution lasted long. Her energy dropped, cravings spiked, and frustration crept in.
“I felt like I was always compromising — either my goals or my sanity.” Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack Protein Bars, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, 12 Count
The shift came when she reframed meal prep not as a chore, but as a small act of self-care. On Sundays, she set aside just 90 minutes to cook — not for the entire week, but enough to get through the first few workdays without stress.
Her goal was simple: balanced, satisfying meals that would travel well and heat up fast.
Instead of counting every calorie, Zuri focused on how her meals made her feel. She combined lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats that kept her full until dinner.
A scoop of roasted chickpeas on quinoa. Grilled chicken with roasted peppers. Stir-fried tofu and brown rice. Her meals became consistent, comforting — and surprisingly craveable.
Within weeks, Zuri noticed her body changing. But more importantly, so did her mindset. “I wasn’t just eating to lose weight anymore,” she says. “I was fueling myself for the day — and it showed.”
Now, when coworkers ask how she stays energized and focused, she just smiles and points to her lunchbox. “You don’t have to give up convenience to eat well,” she says. “You just have to be a little intentional.”
