Can You Eat Sausage on Optavia? The Complete Guide

Sausage lovers rejoice! You can absolutely eat sausage while following the Optavia weight loss program. However, not all sausages are created equal when it comes to nutritional value and fitting into your Optavia meal plan. This complete guide will cover everything you need to know about eating sausage on Optavia.

For those new to Optavia, it is a healthy living and weight loss program that utilizes scientifically designed fuelings and lean and green meals. The Optavia fuelings provide an optimal balance of protein and healthy fats to help promote weight loss. The lean and green meals incorporate lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables.

Optavia recommends choosing lean proteins like skinless chicken breast, fish, shellfish, turkey breast, eggs, beef loin, pork tenderloin and game meat. Processed and high fat meats like bacon, sausage, cold cuts and ribeye steak do not align as well with Optavia’s nutrition principles.

However, you can still enjoy sausage in moderation by choosing lean varieties and making sure to balance it out with veggies in your lean and green meals.

The Benefits of Lean Protein on Optavia

Lean protein is a very important part of the Optavia program, Here are some of the key benefits

• Helps preserve and build muscle mass while losing fat
• Provides satiety to help control hunger and cravings
• Boosts metabolism since protein requires more calories to digest than carbs or fat
• Contains essential amino acids the body needs and cannot produce itself
• Helps stabilize blood sugar levels which can further control hunger

Choosing lean and unprocessed protein sources like skinless poultry, fish, eggs and lean red meat ensures you get quality protein without excess calories or fat.

Can You Eat Sausage on Optavia?

Yes, you can eat sausage on the Optavia diet, but it’s important to choose the right kinds of sausage and incorporate them properly into your meal plan.

Optavia recommends limiting processed meats like sausage, but they can be consumed in moderation. The key is opting for lean sausage varieties such as

• Chicken apple sausage
• Turkey sausage
• Chicken chorizo sausage
• Pork tenderloin sausage

These options provide plenty of protein with less fat and calories compared to traditional pork sausage options like breakfast sausage or Italian sausage links which are higher in fat.

It’s also important to note that meatless or plant-based sausages are not recommended, as they are highly processed and often contain unhealthy additives and fillers.

Delicious and Optavia-Friendly Sausage Recipes

The key to enjoying sausage on Optavia is all about balance. By choosing lean sausages and pairing them with lots of non-starchy vegetables, you can create delicious and diet-approved meals. Here are some great recipe ideas:

Sausage, Kale and Squash Bowl

• 1 lean Italian turkey sausage, sliced
• 2 cups chopped kale
• 1 cup roasted butternut squash
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Saute sausage and garlic in olive oil. Add kale and cook until wilted. Top bowl with roasted butternut squash and season with salt and pepper.

Chicken Sausage and Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry

• 1 lb chicken apple sausage, sliced
• 2 cups riced cauliflower
• 1 cup sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Soy sauce or coconut aminos to taste

Saute sausage, peppers, onions and garlic in coconut oil. Add riced cauliflower and stir fry until tender. Season with soy sauce or coconut aminos.

Turkey Sausage Zoodle Bolognese

• 1 lb lean turkey sausage, crumbled
• 3 cups spiralized zucchini noodles
• 1/2 cup pasta sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Cook sausage in a skillet, crumbling it as it browns. Add pasta sauce and simmer. Pour sauce over zucchini noodles and garnish with basil.

Tips for Picking the Right Sausage on Optavia

If you want to enjoy sausage as part of your Optavia plan, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose lean and low-fat varieties like chicken, turkey or pork tenderloin sausage. Avoid beef, bratwurst and high-fat sausages.

• Read nutrition labels and aim for less than 3-4g of fat per serving.

• Look for uncured sausages without tons of added sugars or fillers.

• Stick to a serving size of 3-4 oz of sausage max per meal.

• Avoid meatless or plant-based sausages, which are highly processed.

• Incorporate sausage into lean and green meals alongside 1.5 cups non-starchy veggies.

• Pair sausage with veggies high in nutrients but low in carbs like spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.

• Don’t overcook – sausage can quickly become dry.

• Season with herbs and spices instead of condiments like barbecue or maple syrup, which add sugar.

Plant-Based Sausage Alternatives

For those following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, plant-based sausage alternatives can seem like an easy swap. However, these highly processed fake meat products are not recommended for the Optavia program. Here’s an overview:

• Often packed with additives and fillers like grains, soy or gluten

• Higher in sodium, fat and carbs compared to lean meat sausages

• May negatively impact gut health and cause inflammation

• Can spike blood sugar due to additives and hidden sugars

• Lack protein quality compared to animal-based protein sources

Instead, incorporate high protein plant-based foods like legumes, tofu, tempeh, natto and seitan into your diet. Pair with lots of low-carb vegetables for delicious and satisfying meatless meals.

The Verdict on Sausage and Optavia

At the end of the day, lean, minimally processed sausage eaten in moderation can fit into a healthy Optavia lifestyle. Just be mindful of your portion sizes, read labels to choose low-fat varieties, and always balance it out with ample vegetables. This allows you to get in quality protein while adhering to the principles of fat loss that Optavia is centered around.

With the right choices and preparations, you can enjoy delicious sausage meals without derailing your weight loss goals. So fire up that grill or skillet and get ready to savor some savory sausage dishes on your journey towards better health on Optavia!