Whether you're prepping for your own wedding or planning on attending a big event this year, chances are you've already booked your hotel and flight, planned your outfit, and figured out your hairstyle. But as we've discovered, a huge part of looking and feeling your best on your wedding day is in what you eat leading up to the event.
Sure, you know you should be eating foods filled with vitamins and nutrients on the daily, but that necessity is definitely ramped up leading up to a big event where you want to look and feel your best. So what does a pre-wedding diet actually look like?
Try this meal plan from Keri Glassman, R.D., and author of founder of Nutritious Life, to get a picture of what healthy pre-wedding eating looks like. These meal ideas are designed to help you get more energy, better skin, and reduced bloat in time for the big day. Hint: It's all about the antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein.
"With three months to go, you want to focus on eating a diet rich in whole, real foods," Glassman says. "Cut down on alcohol, all added sugar and packaged and processed foods!" (This delicious 21-day plan will help you blast belly fat and avoid tedious calorie counting – and drop stubborn pounds!)
Breakfast:
Avocado Eggwich
1 large egg
1/4 cup spinach
1 slice ezekiel bread
1/3 avocado
Snack:
Sliced pear with 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Lunch:
Roasted Chicken Lettuce Wrap
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 large romaine lettuce leaves
4 ounces cooked chicken breast, skin removed
1 ounce mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 red and 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
Snack:
Blanched asparagus with 2 tablespoons guacamole
Dinner:
Salmon Salad
Raw spinach, red onion, tomato salad
4 ounce canned salmon
2 teaspoons olive oil mixed with 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon pepper
Find out how to poach your eggs perfectly every time:
Glassman recommends filling up during this stage on lean proteins, veggies, and healthy fats to help reduce cravings and make skin radiant.
Breakfast:
Almond Buttery Smoothie
1 small banana
1 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon almond butter
1/8 avocado
1 cup ice
Snack:
Celery with 2 tablespoons hummus and 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Lunch:
Tuna Salad
1 (6-ounce) can chunk light tuna packed in water
1 teaspoon drained capers
Chopped celery, carrots
2 lemon wedges
Romaine lettuce
Balsamic vinegar
Snack:
1 cup blueberries with 10 almonds
Dinner:
4 ounces roasted chicken (skinless)
Sauteed asparagus
Tarragon (on chicken)
Related: How Many Avocados Is It Safe To Eat Per Week?
"This is crunch time!" Glassman says. "This week focuses on food that debloat, depuff, and cleanse before your big day." She recommends continuing to eat whole, real foods to nail a healthy wedding glow. Dandelion root and greens in particular act as diuretics, helping you get rid of your excess fluid (and thereby, debloat!).
Upon waking:
Large glass of water with 1/2 squeezed lemon
Breakfast:
2 eggs (preferably boiled)
1 cup Dandelion Root tea
Snack:
Cucumbers, celery (add a bit of natural peanut butter to the celery if you feel you need an energy boost!)
Large water
Lunch:
Dark greens, lean protein such as canned tuna, boiled chicken or steamed shrimp*
Large water with 1/2 squeezed lemon
Snack:
Cucumbers, celery (add a bit of natural peanut butter to the celery if you feel you need an energy boost!)
Large water
Dinner:
Dark greens, lean protein such as grilled fish, steamed salmon or chicken*
Large water with 1/2 squeezed lemon
*Sprinkle about 1 tsp. ground flaxseeds to greens at lunch and dinner or add 1 tsp. olive oil these meals. Try to eat dandelion greens as part of your greens for dinner or lunch.
