Too busy to eat healthfully? Try these 4 tips
Remember when you used to have all sorts of free time to cook and prepare healthy food? No? For a lot of people, that “free time” is little more than a fantasy, and preparing healthy meals seems like a far-off dream.
Even when your life is hectic, eating healthy does not have to be a lost cause. With the right preparation and effort, you can make good food choices that will help fuel your busy lifestyle. If that sounds too good to be true, here are four things to keep in mind in your quest for a balanced diet.
Don’t skip breakfast
It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; research indicates that people who skip breakfast have a higher risk of being overweight. It is also hard to make up for those lost nutrients during the day. Instead of skipping the meal when you’re in a rush, choose a fast, filling breakfast that will help you have energy and concentration during the day. Some fast, nutrient-rich options include Greek yogurt, oatmeal, whole wheat toast or bagels, cut fruits, or a fruit smoothie.
“Skipping a meal can cause your blood sugar to drop, which could make you irritable and unable to concentrate,” says Alan Shigley, executive director at Magnolia Post Acute Care. “Over time, skipping meals can also slow your metabolism and cause weight gain.”
Read the labels
Grabbing a protein bar, a shake, or another prepackaged option can seem like a good way to fill up while you’re on the go, but not all of these products offer the same nutrition. Be sure to read the label of whatever you are eating and get the most bang for your buck. Compare the calories, fiber, and vitamins each option will give you. Look at the kind of fat and sugar you will be consuming. While two choices may have the same amount of fat and sugar, pick the one that has healthier unsaturated fats and natural sugar, rather than saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugar.
Pick healthy restaurant food
People often find themselves eating out more often than they would like, whether they have meetings at restaurants or they just don’t have the time to cook a meal at home. Even if a restaurant is your home away from home, there are ways to eat healthy. If you are eating with family and friends, splitting a meal can help keep portions in check. Opt for healthier sides like a salad or fruit. Many establishments provide calories on menus, so keep an eye out for nutrition information that can help you make wise choices.
Plan ahead
If you plan ahead, you can avoid many pitfalls in your healthy diet. When you are shopping, find healthy foods to stock in your pantry so that when you need to grab something quick, you won’t regret your choice. Have a supply of fruit and vegetable cups on hand that are easy to eat on the go. If you have time to chop up some fruits and vegetables, chop up a lot at once and put them in small bags that you can grab easily for breakfast or lunch later on.
If you think your life is too busy to eat healthy food, don’t give up just yet. Whether your food is prepared at home or in a commercial kitchen, you can find ways to make meal choices that your body will appreciate.
Amy Osmond Cook is the host of Good Day Orange County and the founder of the Association of Skilled Nursing Providers. She is a healthcare consultant and VP of marketing at Simplus, a Platinum Salesforce partner.