Maannnnn I gotta be honest with you. The first week of dieting (last week, the week of January 11th) was basically hell.
I forgot how boring it can be to eat the same meals at the same times EVERY DAY.
I especially forgot how much it sucks to have to eat salmon and asparagus at 9:00 or 10:00 at night.
Breakfast I don’t mind. Late night meal #6, I do mind. (This is pineapple, eggs/egg whites, and gluten free toast.)
I was recovering from a cold and felt like shit all week, and having no appetite certainly did not help me eat six meals a day. It also made it very difficult to put in my full effort at the gym. In some cases, I didn’t. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body, ya know?
At least I have this cutie to snuggle when I’m cranky.
But anyway, I hit the reset button for this second week of prep and made some minor changes to a couple of my least favorite meals so that they are tolerable. Delicious, even!
Turkey chili, rice, and shrimp with broccoli. Much better!
Today I’m sharing my recipe for healthy turkey chili that is way tastier than plain ground turkey, rice, and broccoli, but has the same macros (protein, carbs, and fat)! You can play around with how much turkey you add and how many cans of beans you add to get the carbs and protein ratios just right for your dietary needs.
As shown below, this recipe makes a very meal-prep friendly 7 servings. Each serving has 33g protein/29g carbs/10g fat.
Bodybuilding Friendly Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 14.5 oz cans tomato sauce no salt added
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes no salt added
- 1 15.5 oz can can kidney beans
- 1 15 oz chickpeas/garbanzo beans
- 2 lbs. 93/7 lean ground turkey
- 2 jalapenos
- 2 green peppers
- Salt
- Pepper
- 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1-2 Tablespoons cumin
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Drain and rinse both cans of beans and set aside.
- Heat coconut oil in large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and brown it.
- Add chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt & pepper to taste. Toss turkey in spices to coat.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans. Cover, turn heat down to medium-low, and let it simmer while you prep the peppers.
- Dice jalapenos and green peppers, then add to the chili. Turn heat to low and simmer while you finish your meal prep! (The longer the better, but 30 minutes min.)
Nutrition
And of course, here’s this week’s progress comparison. I weigh the same as last week, but I think my muscles look fuller and tighter. Yay!
Read the rest of the posts in my figure competition prep series here, and follow along with my pro figure competition journey with Instagram hashtag: #proprepdiaries!
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Maribel says
T… is that tablespoon
Liz says
Yes, it sure is!
Lisa says
Did you weigh the servings? Curious how many grams in a serving!
I’m making this today but just throwing it all in the crockpot all day!
Chanelle says
Hi Lisa! I weighed the servings to divide out the batch evenly, but didn’t record how much each one weighed.
Krista says
It comes out to 1.5 cups divided 7 ways. 🙂
Jamie says
Yum, that sounds good! Pinned it to try for my family! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Walking on Sunshine Recipes says
Thank you for joining Delicious Dishes Recipe Party! Hope to see you again this week!
Crystal Green says
This chili does look like a healthier option for sure. I’m always on the lookout for healthy turkey options.
Thank you for sharing on the #HomeMattersParty.
Adrienne says
Love chili recipes! Turkey is my meat of choice – it’s a great substitute for beef!
Briana Carter says
It’s chili season ! This sounds much healthier than how we normally make it!
CourtneyLynne says
Oooo I just love turkey chili!!!! One of my favorite meals! Even when not dieting or on a meal plan! It’s really just that good :)!
Emily Smith says
I love turkey chili – this recipe sounds healthy and delicious. I will pin it to try it!
Veronica says
Wow that Turkey Chili definitely looks like something I should try when I get the time. I feel your struggle on the healthy eating thing, but I’m always comforted when I’m reminded that eating healthy doesn’t have to be torture!
Ana says
Yes, there’s definitely a diffrence between week 15 and 16, what an great work your are doing. BTW loved the recipe | http://carmelapop.com
Ron Leyba says
Oh wow. This looks really yummy! Love it!
vidya sudarsan says
Ha! dieting is not easy for me either! Interesting how you portion control your mean in boxes so you eat just the right amount! I should do this more..
Bites for Babies says
Way back when I was eating meat (white meat) I always made chili with turkey or chicken…it’s so much healthier and cleaner-tasting than heavy, fatty ground beef!
Veronica says
That chili sounds and looks great! So do you. You are inspiring me to get my healthy body back
Seattle Travel Blogger says
I think it is really something that you push through a week training even while being sick.
Your recipe looks tasty and I like that you put the nutrient values with it.
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
This chili sounds great and you LOOK great! I admire your dedication and am so sorry you’ve been sick!
Chanelle says
Aww thank you so much! I feel a lot better now and in much more positive spirits!
Tracey says
I have been following week by week and the changes are very noticeable! Love this recipe too. I want to eat like a body builder 🙂
Chanelle says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the series, and I’m tickled that you are noticing my progress! 🙂
Chasing Joy says
I like that you made minor changes to make your food more tolerable. Your looking leaner 🙂
XmasDolly says
Okay…. Okay…. you finally talked me into it! mmmmmmmm sounds really good, but I gotta try it, and see what the hubby says. Yep on a cold day like today I think that will be the perfect thing to make for dinner tonight! mmmmm
mburbage says
I love turkey chili! So easy to make and always a big hit when it hits the menu! Thanks for sharing
Christie says
Wow that is a protein packed meal! Good luck on your body building successes
Crystal says
I am not sure I’d be up for eating salmon at bedtime, but if that’s what it takes to look that good then maybe I need to reconsider! Hope you’re feeling better.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I love making Chili. This turkey chili recipe looks so delicious. I will have to try it this weekend.
ashley says
Yum! This chili sounds perfect for Winter. We have some leftover turkey that I may have to make this with soon!
Katherine G says
This chilli looks so delicious! I haven’t made chilli in a while might be time to make some.
Heather S-G says
That pic of you and kitty is awesome, I love the looks! And while I’d be pretty happy with that meal you show (or salmon and asparagus at night), I do love the sound of this chili – so perfect for the frigid temps!
Brandy says
My kids are on me to make more of my chili, maybe I will try this option as it seems like a good twist on my regular beef chili! I bet they won’t even know the difference!
Chanelle says
I betcha you’re right! Good luck with your trickery 🙂
Kiwi says
Your body is so amazing! Forget the chill I am eating air for a month!
Jaime Nicole says
Good luck with your competition prep, I am sure you will have lots of success. I like that you say don’t compete just to win and don’t stop being true to yourself in the process. You’re doing great!
Chantal says
I love making chili because it is so easy and you can out in whatever you please. I usually make it with ground beef but love turkey so I should make the switch.
Miles L. says
This seems to be a great recipe of deliciousness! I usually have turkey only on Thanksgiving. I’ll try your recipe.
Donna says
Chili is one of my favorite meals. I am going to have to try your recipe!
Valerie says
This really sounds like a great recipe. It is perfect for this time of year.
Angela says
Your turkey chili recipe looks so good. It’s one of my favorite foods to eat on a cold night. Knowing that it’s healthy is a bonus!
Angelic Sinova says
I am a HUGE chili lover (I could seriously eat it everyday!) That Turkey Chili looks amazing. I’ll definitely have to try that recipe out soon <3
Amanda says
We are hosting a chili cookoff this weekend and I am on the hunt for a great recipe. I will definitely add this to our potential recipe pile–we need to repeat our win this year!
Michele says
The way I have been feeling I’m lucky if I get 1 snack and 1 meal in me a day. I keep swelling up with fluids so chili of any kind would be no good for me at the moment. I will try it once I feel better.
Michele D says
Your chili looks so yummy! With this winter weather we’re having, this recipe will come handy.
Miranda (Anosa) says
I was ill too last week and still feeling shitty and I know what you mean about eating same boring meals but this turkey chill looks delicious
Alicia says
We LOVE chili here in our home. I will have to print off this recipe and give it a try.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
I love turkey chili. Your kitty is adorable!
aimee fauci says
So I am not the only one that rinses off my canned beans. I thought I was the only one. I hate the gunk they are soaked in. a
Chanelle says
Haha always. It smells weird!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I actually just asked the hubby to get me the ingredients for turkey chili. I am working on a clean eating program, so am trying different recipes.
Pam says
I love making turkey chili! I don’t eat turkey too often because it can be bland, but turkey chili is great!
Catherine S says
Thanks for the recipe, the chili looks yummy. I don’t know that I could make myself eat six times a day. I have a hard time eating three times a day.
Travel Blogger says
Yum! I love turkey chili. We have been trying to eat better in the new year, and I am totally going to make this for dinner.
Amanda says
I’m with you on getting bored with the same foods.. we have turkey chili on the rotation often and even that gets boring. I love your variation and can’t wait to try it. And girl, you look amazing!
Ashley L says
We had chili last night, love it! We are going to have to try this one!
Jelli says
Yep, you’re definitely disciplined to be able to eat the same meals day in and day out during competition season. This turkey, however, is definitely something I could eat on a weekly basis. It looks and sounds delicious, Chanelle!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That turkey chili looks fantastic. So do you! Your definition is getting really great. I can see some great separation in your quads.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I would most definitely tire of eating the same thing day after day. Unless it was cheesecake LOL. Your turkey chili sounds very flavorful, I’m thinking the husband would enjoy it.
Chanelle says
Lol. I could definitely eat cheesecake daily!
OurFamilyWorld says
This is perfect on a very cold night like this. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Agreed. We love meals like this when it’s super cold out. It warms us all up!
Amber NElson says
Wow, you are so amazing. I wish I could do the meal prep like you. It looks like it makes life easier.
Heather Johnson says
Turkey chili is super yummy, especially on a cold winter day. I love that photo with the cat!
MyTeenGuide says
The turkey chili looks so yummy! I hope you are feeling better now.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
You weren’t kidding about the meal prep, huh? The chili sounds awesome and I definitely want to be as organized as you are when I grow up.