Table of Contents
- Why Bother with Intermittent Fasting in 2025?
- Breakfast: Chia Seed Pudding with Berries
- Lunch: Turkey & Avocado Wrap
- Dinner: Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
- Snack: Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
- Tips for Not Screwing Up Intermittent Fasting
- Wrap-Up
Why Bother with Intermittent Fasting in 2025?
Alright, let’s be real—intermittent fasting isn’t just some 2020s fad that fizzled out. It’s still hot for a reason. People swear by it for keeping the pounds off, having more zip in their day, and just feeling less like a slug. Basically, you eat during certain hours, chill (or, well, starve) the rest, and somehow magically your body thanks you. These meals? They’re packed with all the good stuff you need to not crash and burn during your eating window. Don’t overthink it—just fuel up smart.
Breakfast: Chia Seed Pudding with Berries
I’m not kidding, this is the easiest “I’m healthy now” breakfast ever. No cooking, barely any effort, and it actually tastes good. Plus, you’ll look super on-trend if anyone peeks in your fridge.
What you need (for 2 hungry people):
- 1/4 cup chia seeds ($1)
- 1 cup almond milk ($1)
- 1 cup berries (whatever’s not moldy in your fridge) ($2)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
How to do it:
Dump everything but the berries in a bowl, stir it up, and stash it in the fridge for at least four hours (overnight is even simpler). In the morning, divide it up, top with berries. That’s it. Want to impress yourself? Toss on a handful of nuts.
Calories: Roughly 200 a serving.
Cost: About $2 per person.
Time: 10 minutes, then forget about it.
Lunch: Turkey & Avocado Wrap
Protein, healthy fat, and actual flavor—this wrap is everything that sad desk salads wish they were.
Grab this stuff (feeds 2):
- 4 oz sliced turkey breast ($2)
- 1 ripe avocado ($1)
- 2 whole-grain tortillas ($1)
- 1 cup spinach ($0.50)
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes ($0.50)
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
- Salt & pepper
How you do it:
Smash up that avocado and mix it with Greek yogurt. Smear it on your tortillas. Pile on turkey, spinach, tomatoes, and a little salt and pepper. Roll it up tight. Slice it. Eat it. (Or wrap in foil and pretend you’re meal-prepping.)
Calories: About 300 per wrap.
Cost: $2.25 each.
Time: 10 minutes.
Pro tip: Want to go even lighter? Use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas. You’ll feel so virtuous.
Dinner: Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
Shrimp and “zoodles” sound fancy but really, this is a 20-minute meal that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together.
Stuff you’ll need (serves 2):
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and cleaned ($4)
- 2 medium zucchini, spiralized ($1.50)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt & pepper
How it goes:
Heat olive oil, toss in garlic, let it get a little fragrant (don’t burn it, trust me). Add shrimp, oregano, salt, pepper—cook till shrimp turn pink (2-3 mins per side). Take them out. Toss zoodles in the same pan for a few minutes. Drizzle lemon juice, throw shrimp back in, done.
Calories: About 250 per serving.
Cost: $2.75 a plate.
Time: 20 minutes.
Feeling wild? Add a shake of red pepper flakes.
Snack: Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
Okay, these are basically nature’s candy. Sweet, chewy, salty, creamy—no-brainer snack.
What you need (makes 8):
- 8 medjool dates, pitted ($2)
- 2 tbsp almond butter ($1)
- 2 tbsp chopped almonds ($0.50)
- Pinch of sea salt
How to do it:
Split dates, stuff with a bit of almond butter, sprinkle on nuts and salt. Store ‘em for up to a week, if you can resist.
Calories: About 150 for two.
Cost: Under a buck per snack.
Time: 5 minutes.
Want to get extra? Add a couple of dark chocolate chips to each.
Tips for Not Screwing Up Intermittent Fasting
- Chill out: Start with 12:12 before you go hardcore 16:8.
- Hydrate or die-drate: Water, herbal tea, black coffee—knock yourself out.
- Eat real food: Protein, fiber, healthy fats. Don’t just eat crackers all day, c’mon.
- Prep ahead: If you’re hungry and there’s nothing ready, you WILL eat chips.
- Keep score: Jot down what works for you. Or don’t. But don’t complain if you feel blah.
Wrap-Up
There it is—meals that work with intermittent fasting, not against it. Easy, affordable, no rabbit food vibes. So if you’re hopping on the IF train for 2025, you’ve got zero excuses to eat boring food. Stay fed, stay sane, and hey, don’t forget to live a little.