How many calories are in a typical meal?

We believe strongly that the quality of the inputs is far more important than the number of calories in a meal. All calories are not created equally (that’s old science) and different foods affect our biological systems (hormonal, metabolic, etc.) in different ways. In our experience, fixating on the number of calories tends to do more harm than good for the average person trying to reach their health and fitness goals. We believe that the simplest and most effective way to reach your goals is to focus on eating real (not processed) food that is prepared from clean and wholesome ingredients. Instead of focusing on the numbers, we want you to focus on how our food makes you look, feel and perform.

Are all of your meals gluten free?

Absolutely. Though not everyone has a gluten intolerance, research has shown that more and more people have gluten sensitivities (without even knowing it.). We also focus on using clean and wholesome ingredients rather than processed foods, which makes avoiding gluten far easier. In addition to a completely gluten-free menu, our menu is also dairy- and egg-free.

I live an active life. How do I know I’m getting enough protein?

Don’t worry, we also live active lives. But to be safe, we have partnered with a registered dietitian to ensure that not just each recipe is well-balanced and carefully composed, but also that each daily menu is thoughtfully structured to maximize nutrient density and diversity.

Will I lose weight on one of your meal programs?

Our programs are designed to provide you with all of the nutrients you need to live an active and healthy lifestyle. We carefully craft each recipe and structure each day’s worth of meals to ensure that you’re looking, feeling and performing your best – both mentally and physically. For some, this may mean shedding a few excess pounds. For others, this may mean providing an adequate balance of nutrient density and diversity to fuel your days. In any case, you can rest assured that by living the V+B life, you’ll be eating delicious, nutritious, well-balanced meals. But hey, if that’s not enough, you can always walk/run to our production facility to pick up your meals yourself (no charge).

Are all of your ingredients certified organic?

Depends. Do you work for the USDA? (Joke). We believe more in working with farmers and growers who utilize sustainable and organic farming practices than in working strictly with those who are certified organic. For many small, local farmers and growers, the official organic certification process is simply cost prohibitive and too time consuming a process to undertake. We partner only with those who share our high standards; those willing to work longer hours to protect the land and the plants and animals on which we all depend. Ultimately, our philosophy on this topic is simple – we strive to establish lasting relationships with good people who are doing great things.

Meet Sarah Waybright, MS, RD

This is Sarah Waybright. She's V+B's registered dietitian, so she reviews your meal plan to be sure it's balanced in terms of both macro- and micronutrients. Sarah is also the woman behind Why Food Works, but she doesn't stop there. She works for Potomac Vegetable Farms, too!

We'll let Sarah take it from here.

Where are you from?
Gettysburg, PA

What do you do?
I'm a registered dietitian - part time health coach, part time farm worker, and a lot of things in between!

How did you get into healthy eating?
I grew up in the country, on a dairy farm, and my mom maintained a huge garden - we had fresh food all summer, and froze some for the winter, too. I didn't think that was so special at the time, but now I realize how few people have that kind of access to produce! Nutrition is the intersection of science and food, so my interest in the healthcare field initially brought me here, but now it's come full circle. I want to share my passion for delicious food that provides a foundation for health by having a farm that offers classes, retreats, and other types of experiential, hands-on learning.

Do you have a favorite tip or word to live by when it comes to a well balanced, healthy lifestyle?
Variety! I practice it in both what I eat and what I do - I've designed my life so that no two days are the same, and I have multiple jobs instead of just one. I think everyone needs a little diversity, and a good creative outlet! Mine is pottery - which is also perfect, since now I have many beautiful dishes to serve food on.

Favorite V+B Meal?
The brown rice veggie bowl with pork shoulder - anything you can add some pickled onion to is fine by me!

Favorite podcast or book you’re reading right now?
I listen to a podcast called Farmer to Farmer - they interview a different farmer weekly, and most of them are very open about how their business works and what lessons they learned along the way!

How do you like to move and stay active?
A combination of yoga + classes at the local Y - particularly, I love TurboKick, a high intensity cardio kickboxing class!

Tell us one thing you find unique about yourself.
My side-side hobby is decorating and furniture upcycling - when I have a farm house to fill, watch out, second hand stores!

We know you're wondering, and the answer is yes, you can meet with Sarah to talk about your nutrition goals! Just send us an email at hello@vegetableandbutcher.com, and we'll get the ball rolling for you.

Connect with Sarah:
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Website

Sarah is a V+B Affiliate, meaning she tried us, loved us, and now represents our brand (outside her role as the V+B dietitian) without compensation.