She might be known for her boulder shoulders and the inspirational can-do message she spreads to troves of #JessiesGirls, but figure pro Jessie Hilgenberg will tell you that channeling your inner beast mode starts with proper nutrition. Being fit and healthy is what she knows, loves, and lives. Gone are the days of ramen noodles and beer she described in the video "Body by Jessie." They've long been replaced with a mix of healthy greens, game meats, and other treats.

Excuses hold no sway over this mom. With a baby in the house, she's eating better than ever. Take a peek into her fridge and see what fuels Jessie Hilgenberg.



What Fuels You, Jessie Hilgenberg? 

Watch The Video - 4:33

Are You A Morning-Only Coffee Drinker, Or Do You Down A Few Cups Throughout The Day?

Right when I wake up in the morning, I go for a cup of black coffee. It wakes me up, and it's a ritual. I don't like to overcaffeinate, though, so l usually have just one more cup later in the afternoon. That's it!

How Does Having Your Daughter Samantha In The House Influence Your Grocery List?

It actually helps us stick to our nutrition goals more than ever. Knowing the food we shop for is also her food leads us to choose more whole foods—organic when necessary—and pay more attention to label ingredients and sugar content. It's so much fun to watch her enjoy a highchair tray full of avocado, grass-fed ground beef, and sweet potatoes! We even share the same favorite cereal, Cheerios.

Broccoli, Squash, Green Beans, And Peas, Oh My! You Sure Do Love Your Veggies. Do You Eat Greens With Every Meal?

I would love to say that I do, but I definitely need to be better about eating my greens. Sammie's favorite vegetable is broccoli. Crazy, right? She loves it so much that we strategically put it on her tray last, because otherwise she won't be hungry for the main meal. She absolutely does not get this from me.

Really, all of those veggies are for her. I like putting a handful of spinach into my protein shakes twice per day, and then I'll have a side of veggies with my dinner. That's about all I can handle.

Organic Apple Butter Sounds Like A Great Healthy Splurge. When Considering Splurge Foods, How Many Grams Of Sugar Per Serving Do You Recommend People Stay Under?

Apple butter is so good! If you're not trying to get your leanest, I recommend staying under 35 grams of sugar per day. If you're trying to get lean or working on just getting healthier in general, I'd stick to 20-25 grams per day. On average, I get about 15-20 grams of sugar per day.

Why Do You Prefer Bragg Liquid Aminos As An Alternative To Soy Sauce?

I love it because it is so much lower in sodium, it has no preservatives, GMOs, or chemicals, and it contains 16 amino acids. Pretty cool! Also, I purchase the spray-bottle version so that I can control the amount. Just 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil plus a few sprays of liquid aminos and you get a great salad dressing or coating for stir fry.



Do You Have Any Other Homemade Condiment Tricks?

I like to keep it simple. Whisking together Dijon mustard, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar makes the perfect salad dressing. Thanks for the idea, Mom!

I Love That You Have An Entire Drawer Full Of Cheese! Any Tips For How To Fit It Into People's Macros?

I can't go a day without cheese! I'm not sure why it would be hard to fit into your macros. It counts toward your fats and proteins and makes any dish that much yummier! Just like many things, just practice moderation. I can't always fit a large cheese quesadilla into my macros—darn—but I can fit sprinkling some on top of a salad or adding a string cheese to my meal.

You Mentioned Making Your B-Elite Meals Into "big Mushy Bowls Of Deliciousness." Any Other Favorite Ways You Make These Ready-To-Go Meals Your Own?

I love taking my B-Elite meals to the next level. Of course I eat them as-is sometimes, but I've been known to make a delicious burrito from them, too! That's my favorite because all I have to do is pack my B-Elite meal and a tortilla into my cooler, and I'm good to go.

I also always carry some fats with me, too. Many of the B-Elite meals don't have all the fats I like to get in each of my meals, so I'll bring an avocado with me and add it to the meal. They're so good, I usually just add salsa, avocado, a tortilla, and I'm set!

You've Got Lots Of Game Meats In The Freezer—Even Goose Bacon Bits! What's One Of Your Favorite Recipes For Preparing Game Meat?

Those goose bacon bits weren't supposed to be in the video! My husband, Alex, comes from a family of hunters, so our freezer always looks like this. We're so lucky. We love to make venison tacos for dinner. It's such a nice change from our standard chicken and turkey, and Sammie loves it, too! It's really neat to see her getting used to a variety of foods. And it turns out that the goose bacon bits are pretty darn delicious.

About the Author

Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith is a New York native who caught the fitness bug while earning a master's in journalism at the University of Missouri.

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