There’s no denying that we live in a fast-paced world. Everyone is seeking the next quick fix and searching for instant gratification. And the world of weight loss is no different. While there’s countless diets and weight loss gimmicks out there, one thing remains the same. It takes hard work and discipline to successfully lose weight and keep it off. But if you’re one of the millions of Americans working over 40 hours a week, commuting to the office, fostering an active social life, and juggling a number of other things, finding time to prepare healthy food might seem like an impossible task. Or is it? Keep reading to discover tips and tricks for eating healthy on the go!
1. Pack Your Snacks and Lunch
This is the easiest way to ensure you always have a healthy snack or meal at your disposal — prepare them and bring them along. It doesn’t take much to place some fresh fruits and vegetables in containers or plastic bags to bring along on road trips, to the movies, or to keep at your desk at work. This eliminates the need for grabbing something on the go that’s less than healthy. Most fast food restaurants are beefing up their menus to include more nutritious and calorie-friendly options. But you still need willpower to order the yogurt parfait over the bacon cheeseburger. Another place you can turn when you’re on the hunt for something healthy? A vending machine. That’s right! Healthy You vending machines actually offer healthy alternatives to the chips, candy, and soda you generally find. Want to learn more? Check out these Healthy You vending reviews.
2. Offer to Bring a Dish
There’s nothing worse than being invited to a cookout, party, or cocktail hour only to cringe at the thought of the high-fat, carb-loaded snacks they’ll have on hand. How many times have you forfeited your diet because of an event? If you’re guilty of telling yourself, “I can’t diet, I have a wedding coming up”, or “Next week is a holiday, I couldn’t possibly try to lose weight now”, this pro-tip is for you! Instead of sabotaging all your efforts over one meal, offer to bring a healthy dish to your next event. Bring along a fruit salad, hummus and pita chips, or homemade guacamole. Not only will you look like a rockstar for offering to make something, but you’ll be guaranteed the party will have something that aligns with your weight loss goals. Another option is to eat a healthy, filling meal before attending the event. Some people shy away from this out of fear of seeming rude for not indulging in what the hostess is offering. But at the end of the day, your friends should want you there, regardless of your eating habits. Fill up on a delicious salad packed with protein before you head out. This will reduce your cravings and help keep your hunger in-check.
3. Meal Prep
What makes fast food so appealing to most people? It can’t be the 2,000 calorie label that accompanies most meals or the hefty price tag. No — it’s convenience. When you’re on the go, in a hurry, or starved after a long day with no lunch break, it’s easy and convenient to cruise through the local drive through. If convenience is your issue, than meal prepping can help. Choose a day and time where you can lay out all of your healthy foods. Spend a few hours cutting, dicing, chopping, and packaging your favorite (healthy) meals. A cost-effective approach is to utilize the same ingredients for a few recipes. If you’re making chicken stir-fry, grill up some extra chicken to top your lunch salads with. Adding strawberries to your oatmeal? Top some with cinnamon and honey for breakfast. Once your meals are planned, purchase containers that you can label with the days of the week and each meal. Stack them neatly in your fridge, making them perfect to grab and go as you head out for the day. Another perk to this method? It helps you keep portion sizes under control. Before long, you’ll probably be able to eye-ball one cup or two tablespoons. Looking to save more time? Buy ingredients pre-chopped.
4. Utilize Meal Delivery Services
Does this previous healthy eating tip sound daunting to you? If the idea of going grocery shopping, cutting and dicing vegetables, and cooking sounds like torture, elicit the help of a meal delivery system. This takes the guesswork out of meal prep. Companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh will deliver ingredients directly to your door. You can opt for meals for two or four people, helping maintain portion control. The ingredients are fresh and diverse. While these delivery services may get pricey over time, for some, it’s well-worth the cost.
5. Never Skip Breakfast
When you’re constantly on the go, it’s all too easy to skip meals — especially breakfast. You hit the snooze button on your alarm three times, rush to shower and get dressed, and run out the door with coffee in-hand and nothing else. After all, what harm can skipping breakfast do? More than you realize. The old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is true. Why? Eating a healthy, balanced breakfast sets the tone for the rest of your day — both mentally and physically. It’s the perfect way to awaken your mind and provide it with the necessary vitamins and nutrients to perform at work. Physically, it kick-starts your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day. Not only that but when you eat a filling breakfast, you are less likely to overeat throughout the rest of the day. This is especially true if you eat something packed with protein like eggs or oatmeal. But breakfast isn’t the only important meal. Never skip meals, if you can help it. Fat burning is achieved when your metabolism is constantly working. And for that to happen, you should eat 5-6 small meals approximately 2-3 hours apart. This is where packing snacks or hitting those healthy vending machines will come in handy!
Being busy isn’t an excuse for unhealthy eating habits. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. By trying a few of these simple tips, you can make eating healthy on the go a simple part of your daily routine. And you may even drop a few pounds in the process!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
