Fast Paced, Healthy Eating

More and more people are living very fast paced lives and have trouble finding the time each day just to get everything they need to done.  The unfortunate sacrifice that many of us are forced to make is eating unhealthy foods.  The last thing we want to do is go home and cook a meal after working all day, and that can make zipping through the drive-thru or picking up some takeout very tempting.  Unfortunately, this is how many people fall into the poor eating habits that lead to a variety of problems including decreased health, lack of energy, and weight gain.  Here are some tips that you can use to avoid falling into many of the bad habits associated with leading a fast paced life.

Plan Ahead -   One of the best ways to avoid eating unhealthy meals during the week is to plan and even prepare many of your meals ahead of time.  Pick a day when you have time to cook and prepare meals for the next several days.  You can safely store most food in the freezer or fridge for several days and heat it up in just a few minutes.  Knowing that you have a meal already 90% prepared waiting for you at home helps curb the temptation to pick up quick, unhealthy alternatives.

Be Prepared – Bring small snacks and water with you when you go out to work or other activities.  One of the reasons that many people stray from their good eating habits is when the find themselves hungry and without food.  How many people at your office go out or order in every day for lunch?  There is a reason way fast food chains place hundreds of locations at interstate exits across the country--they know that people will be traveling without food and will get hungry.  Avoid these traps by carrying healthy snacks and water with you.  (Capitol Hill Cookie Diet cookies make a great, portable choice to satisfy hunger while on the go!)  Being prepared with food when you’re on the go will not only help you make smart food choices, but will also save you time and money.

Schedule for Your Health – Those of us on the go probably have some method for scheduling appointments, tasks, and meetings.  One of the best ways to stick to your healthy eating habits, as well as recharge, is to schedule time to sit down and eat during the day.  All of us can find 15 minutes during the day if we really look for it to have a quiet meal or snack.  Eating slowly and calmly is almost as important as eating healthy foods when it comes to weight loss.  Remember, it takes time for your brain to let you know that you are full.  If you are rushing through meals, you’re more likely to eat more than you really need to.  

Have other ideas for how to work healthy eating into a busy lifestyle? Let us know what works for you!