Hannah Neeleman, the face of Ballerina Farm and a notable influencer, follows a straightforward approach to lunch, preparing meals for her husband and their eight children on their Utah farm. Each day, the family enjoys a balanced combination of carbohydrates, lean proteins, and fresh vegetables, a habit cultivated during their four years living in Brazil.
This routine aligns with recommendations from dietitians who advocate for a diet rich in high-fiber produce and lean proteins while minimizing the intake of ultra-processed foods. Neeleman’s lifestyle demonstrates the practicality of maintaining such a diet while living on a farm, where access to fresh ingredients is abundant.
Daily Lunch Components
For lunch, Neeleman often serves a variety of carbohydrates, including potatoes, pasta, rice, or quinoa. “I make bread a few times a week, so if it’s a bread day, then we have bread as well,” she shared with Business Insider. Her protein sources typically consist of steak or a roast, thanks to the cattle raised on their farm. The vegetables are sourced directly from their garden, ensuring freshness and nutritional value.
Protein plays a vital role in building and maintaining muscle mass, which is crucial for overall health. Additionally, fiber, commonly found in whole grains and fresh produce, supports digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome. Research has established a connection between a high-fiber diet and a diverse population of beneficial gut microbes.
To complement their meals, the family enjoys water kefir, a fermented drink rich in probiotics that supports gut health. This simple yet wholesome approach to nutrition underscores the importance of balanced meals in daily life.
Flexible Meal Planning
Neeleman’s breakfast routine is equally uncomplicated, consisting of homemade yogurt paired with her own maple cinnamon protein powder. Dinner tends to vary due to the family’s activities, but she swiftly prepares meals using ingredients readily available in her kitchen. “If you make just pasta with meat sauce, we always have ground beef in the fridge, and boil pasta and put your marinara sauce. It takes 15 minutes,” she explained.
While most of the family’s meals are homemade, there are occasions when Neeleman opts for convenience, such as baking a frozen sourdough pizza from the Ballerina Farm stand. Despite her commitment to a healthy diet, she occasionally indulges in treats. “Strauss has a really good Dutch cocoa ice cream that I always buy at Whole Foods when we go. It’s just so good, and I hide it in the freezer,” she noted.
Neeleman’s emphasis on whole foods and minimally processed meals not only supports her family’s health but also showcases the benefits of a simple, balanced diet. Her dedication to cooking from scratch has garnered the attention of over 21 million followers on social media, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the lifestyle and food community.
