can you have chicken sausage on optavia

Can You Have Chicken Sausage on Optavia? A Complete Guide

Optavia is a popular diet program that emphasizes portion-controlled snacks and meals to promote weight loss. Many Optavia followers have questions about specific foods that fit into the diet’s guidelines, including chicken sausage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore whether you can eat chicken sausage while following the Optavia plan.

What is Optavia?

Optavia is a commercial weight loss program that provides members with pre-packaged snack foods called “fuelings” along with recommendations for preparing your own entrees called “lean and green meals”. Optavia was formerly called Take Shape for Life and is based on a low-calorie, low-carb diet.

The Optavia program has two main components:

• Fuelings: These are snack foods like bars, shakes, and soups that are calorie and portion controlled. Fuelings provide the bulk of your daily calories on the diet.

• Lean and Green Meals: You prepare these meals yourself following Optavia guidelines. They include 5-7 ounces of lean protein, 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables, and up to 2 servings of healthy fats.

By combining Fuelings with lean and green meals, Optavia claims you can lose weight quickly while still eating regular food. But can foods like chicken sausage fit into the lean and green meal guidelines? Let’s find out!

Can You Have Chicken Sausage on Optavia?

The short answer is yes, you can eat chicken sausage while following the Optavia diet. Chicken sausage fits into the “lean protein” part of the lean and green meal guidelines when chosen carefully.

However, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind:

• Read nutrition labels and choose a brand that is low in fat and carbs but high in protein. Varieties with at least 10g protein and less than 3g fat per serving are ideal.

• Stick to portion sizes of 2-3 ounces of chicken sausage per lean and green meal. Measure carefully to stay within calorie limits.

• Avoid chicken sausages with high-carb fillers and additives. Look for products made from chicken and minimal other ingredients.

As long as you follow these guidelines, chicken sausage can be included as part of your lean and green Optavia meals. Just be mindful of portions and preparation methods.

Benefits of Chicken Sausage for Weight Loss

There are a few key benefits that make chicken sausage a smart choice for Optavia followers and anyone looking to lose weight:

1. High in Protein

Chicken sausage is a lean source of protein, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. The protein in chicken sausage may also help build and maintain muscle tissue as you lose weight.

1. Lower in Fat than Pork

While chicken sausage shouldn’t be considered a low-fat food, it typically contains less fat than pork sausage varieties. Choosing chicken can help keep fat intake reasonable.

1. Versatile Ingredient

Chicken sausage adds flavor and protein to all kinds of Optavia lean and green meals. It works well in everything from breakfast skillets to stir fries.

1. Better Nutrition than Processed Meats

Chicken sausage makes a more nutritious choice than highly processed hot dogs or deli meats that are often high in fat, salt and preservatives.

When you choose wisely, chicken sausage can be a skinny protein option that makes losing weight more enjoyable and sustainable.

Creating Lean and Green Meals with Chicken Sausage

Chicken sausage is easy to incorporate into Optavia-friendly meals. Here are some delicious ideas:

• For breakfast, make a veggie omelet with chicken sausage, onions, peppers, spinach and mushrooms.

• Try chicken sausage with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash as an easy weeknight dinner.

• Mix up a chicken sausage skillet with brussels sprouts, butternut squash and kale.

• For a lighter meal, make skewers with chicken sausage, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and onions.

• Add chicken sausage to soups or stews packed with veggies like cabbage, green beans and cauliflower.

• Enjoy chicken sausage with a huge salad including lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli slaw mix and other non-starchy veggies.

There are so many ways to enjoy chicken sausage within your daily lean and green meal allowance on Optavia. Be creative and use lots of flavorful herbs, spices, mustards and vinegars to keep your meals exciting.

Tips for Picking the Best Chicken Sausage

Not all chicken sausages are created equal when it comes to nutrition stats. Here are some shopping tips for finding the best options:

• Seek out minimally processed chicken sausages without a long list of additives.

• Compare nutrition labels and look for at least 10g protein and no more than 3g fat per serving.

• Try to find brands without added sugars or corn syrup.

• Look for varieties made from all natural ingredients like chicken, spices and herbs.

• Avoid chicken sausages with high carb thickeners and fillers like flour or breadcrumbs.

• Opt for chicken sausages without artificial preservatives like nitrites.

• Favor brands that use organic or free-range chicken when possible.

Following these tips when reading labels at the grocery store will make it easier to identify the healthiest chicken sausages to incorporate into your Optavia lean and green meals.

Final Tips for Success with Chicken Sausage on Optavia

Here are some final pointers to help you successfully add chicken sausage to your Optavia diet:

• Carefully measure and weigh portions to stay within lean protein guidelines. Overeating protein is easy to do.

• Cook chicken sausage in a skillet with a small amount of vegetable broth instead of oils.

• Pair chicken sausage with lots of non-starchy vegetables to create balanced, nutritious meals.

• Get creative with seasonings beyond just salt and pepper to keep meals exciting.

• Consider making your own chicken sausage at home without preservatives or additives.

If you follow the diet’s guidelines and are mindful of portions, chicken sausage can be a healthy component of achieving your weight loss goals with Optavia. Just be sure to incorporate plenty of veggies, stay hydrated, and talk to your health provider to ensure this diet plan is right for your needs.

The Bottom Line

Chicken sausage can be part of an Optavia diet when chosen carefully and consumed in moderation. Selecting the right chicken sausage, creating balanced meals, and sticking to portion sizes will allow you to incorporate this tasty protein source into your weight loss journey.

With some guidance on diet rules, meal planning, and smart shopping, chicken sausage can be an asset as you customize the Optavia program to your tastes and lifestyle needs. So enjoy the flavors and versatility of chicken sausage as part of your tool kit for weight loss success.