Tips for Eating Healthy When Busy
Eating Healthy doesn’t have to be complicated
When eating healthy, it is important to have a plan on quick and easy meals for busy days. Meal planning is really helpful and the ideal way of ensuring that you eat healthy. The problem with meal planning and meal prep is that it is time consuming and takes planning. Even as a health coach and nutritionist, there are weeks when meal planning and prep is not possible. To help ensure that I don’t succumb to my old ways of being a junk food junkie- I have a plan in place to help me avoid temptation during busy times.
I have a list of restaurants that I like and that have a healthy option for me to eat. This is also handy if you have a friend ask you to go out to eat- you can help ensure that you can maintain your healthy lifestyle. *** I recommend adding a notation of what you order at the restaurant- it helps reduce temptation of unhealthy items on the menu.
When you do Meal Prep- Make extra- so there are some healthy meals in your freezer.
Keep ingredients from some favorite healthy meals on hand- so you can quickly throw together a last minute meal. *** I recommend having a list on your fridge or in your cabinet of some easy healthy meal ideas.
If you have food allergies or are following an elimination diet- keep a list of the foods that are allowed. Bring this list with you to the grocery store, have a copy on your phone.
When I am busy, I rely on the basics of nutrition. On busy days, I don’t make elaborate meals-healthy eating can be very easy simple meals.
Meal Basics Guideline
Include a Protein: Seafood, Beef, Chicken, Pork, Eggs, Tofu, Legumes or Tempeh.
Include a Starch- Sweet Potato, Potato, Rice, Quinoa, Pasta or Winter Squash.
Include Low Carb vegetables: lettuce, cabbage, zucchini, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, mushrooms, kale, peppers, cucumber, green beans, eggplant and tomatoes
Include a healthy fat- Avocado, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, or Nuts and Seeds.
Season with herbs and spices of choice-Basil, Oregano, Cumin, Tarragon, Rosemary, Cilantro, Parsley, Paprika, Cinnamon, Dill, Ginger, Cardemon, Carraway, Chives, Garlic, Mint, Tumeric, Saffron, Sage, Mustard or Thyme.
This list is a quick guide- there are of course more healthy foods you can include. But by quickly picking an item from each category you can create a balanced healthy meal. Quickly sauté something on the stove, throw together ingredients and make a sheet pan meal, Grill your protein and vegetables. Be creative and make it your own.
If you need assistance with Meal planning, Starting or maintaining your healthy lifestyle click the link and I would be happy to assist you! I am a Certified Health Coach, Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Gut Health Specialist. I have food allergies and specialize in creating customized meal plans for any diet restriction.
Cook Healthy Meals with Ingredients at home
