Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day or that you can’t find the time to prepare and cook a healthy meal, or even have time to actually sit down and eat lunch? If so, you are not alone! With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, people are on the go more than ever before – spending more time each week in the car or at the office, making it seem nearly impossible to find the time to make healthy and nutritious meals for you and your family.
(Photo compliments of farmersalmanac.com)
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, 48% of the money spent on food in the U.S. goes towards meals eaten away from the home and the average American eats approximately four to five commercially prepared meals per week. This equates to about 18 meals in an average month eaten outside of the home. Unfortunately, commercially prepared foods, fast-foods, and restaurant foods are higher in calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar… which all contribute to the growing epidemic of obesity in the U.S.
So how do you combat this trend and eat healthier on the go? Here are some tips on how to eat healthy with a fast-paced lifestyle!
Plan ahead:
If you know you are going to have a jam-packed day at the office with meetings all day or if you will be carting around your children to and from school and then to and from sporting events after school, pack healthy snacks / meals in a small cooler to take with you.
Some great snack ideas…
- Apple and single-serve peanut butter
- Hummus and baby carrots or celery
- Greek yogurt and berries
- Homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, raisins, and whole grain dry cereal or pretzels
Some great meal ideas…
- Chicken / Tuna salad sandwich with veggies
- Chicken burrito bowl with leftover grilled chicken, brown rice, sauteed veggies and a single-serve guacamole packet
- Home-made salad in a jar. Follow these simple instructions from The Kitchn for making your own portable salad!
(Photo compliments of thekitchn.com)
If you do not have access to a cooler, you can pack non-perishable healthy snacks such as raw almonds and dried fruit, a banana and a single-serving tub of peanut butter, or homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, raisins, and whole grain pretzels or dry cereal. Learn how to make The Perfect Trail Mix from TheHealthyChef.com and pack it in single-serve portions for your busy day!
(Photo compliments of thehealthychef.com)
Meal prep the night before:
Use leftovers from dinner to take into work for a healthier lunch that saves you money as well! Great lunch ideas include a chicken salad wrap with leftover chicken breast, leafy greens, and a whole wheat wrap with a side of baby carrots and hummus, a burrito bowl with leftover brown rice, pulled pork, bell peppers, salsa, and avocado, or something as simple as leftover chicken and broccoli casserole. Follow Meal Prep Society (@mealprepsociety) for some great meal-prepping tips and recipes and plan ahead to set yourself up for success the next day!
(Photo compliments of @mealprepsociety)
How do you stay healthy and fueled on the go??