Shawn Johnson East Just Told Us the Quick & Easy Meals She’s Making on Repeat Right Now

The Olympic gymnast gives EatingWell all the details about the snacks she keeps on hand, her morning routine and more.

Shawn Johnson East knows a thing or two about captivating audiences. A former Olympic gold medalist, East has gone from the gymnastics arena to social media, where she shares glimpses of her life. From parenting three kids to hosting a YouTube channel with her husband, East stays busy.

With a packed schedule, quick, healthy and delicious meals are a staple in their household, so East's partnership with MorningStar Farms to launch their returning Riblets, available on shelves in April, is a natural fit. EatingWell spoke with East to learn more about the partnership while also finding out her go-to pantry staples, morning routine and more.

EatingWell: What are your go-to meals for easy dinners?

East: With our meals, we try to do simple things as far as easy to prepare. We usually do a protein ... I love how much protein the [MorningStar Farms] Riblets have. We add a carb, like steamed rice or protein noodles are great. And, my kids will eat vegetables so we do a lot of steamed broccoli, roasted green beans or asparagus. I try to get something green because they’re not intimidated by green, which I love. Anything that falls into that category, so usually a protein, carb and veggie for dinner.

We think Shawn and her family would love our Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans.

EatingWell: Could you talk more about your partnership with MorningStar?

East: The Riblets were already in our freezer, so it made sense. We aren’t a vegan family but we eat a lot of vegan food just for options and mixing things up. I love the ingredients of this [product], and love that it has a lot of protein. My kids love barbecue and it tastes delicious. It is just something great to put in the arsenal as a parent that I know my kids will eat.

EatingWell: What are your top three pantry staples you’re buying on repeat?

East: These Banza protein noodles because my kids love noodles. So we do a lot of noodles, fresh sourdough and a lot of dried fruit for snacks, kind of to get away from gummies and candies. Dried fruits are a great snack.

EatingWell: What are your go-to snacks?

East: In our household, we call them snack trays. If my kids ask for snacks, what I’ll do is get out a plate and fill it with probably anywhere from five to 10 things of just tiny little handfuls of anything, like cut-up vegetables, trail mix, dried fruit and a dip in the middle like hummus. I try to give a lot of variety so that it doesn't look like you’re giving them just vegetables and dip or only dried fruit. It is my true mom hack because they will eat all of it as long as it has a lot of color and covers variety. They will eat anything you put on it. 

Related: 13 Super-Simple 3-Ingredient Snacks Kids Will Actually Want to Eat

EatingWell: Any comfort dishes that feel like home to you?

East: What we eat the most, like my comfort meal, is fresh sourdough with butter and honey. Our family honey is insanely good so we go through a lot of it.

EatingWell: What is your typical morning routine?

East: Our mornings are really similar every day. We wake up and get the kids up, our kids still like having a small sippy cup of warm milk of some kind. [My husband and I] make each other coffee every morning and we do an iced oat milk latte with honey and cinnamon. Breakfast for me is usually eggs and the kids are in a phase right now that they are locked in on, which they have to have a hard-boiled egg, a banana and peanut butter for breakfast every morning.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Bananas Every Day

EatingWell: What does “eating well” mean to you?

East: Everything in moderation. We love healthy food but we still enjoy the non-healthy food once in a while, which is fun.

Read the original article on Eating Well.