Surely I’m not alone on this, but most days I’m lucky to get the girls out of the house and on their way to school with both shoes on, so packing a healthy lunch for myself is definitely out of the question. So how do I eat healthy when I feel like I’m already two steps behind? Food is fuel and for busy mommas, the right kind of fuel is essential. Just like getting dressed in the morning.
Every day we have the option to choose good food. Here are some ways you can make that selection process a little bit easier.
1. Meal prep on Sundays or try packing your lunch before you’re in a mad dash to get out of the door. Try packing a healthy lunch the night before so you can just grab-n-go in the morning.
2. Healthy food does not have to take hours to prepare. A banana with peanut butter or some granola with greek yogurt is a great way to start the day. You don’t have to slave in the kitchen for hours to have a wholesome meal.
3. Think simple. Yes, some healthy recipes have weird ingredients that you probably don’t typically buy but there are so many recipes that are simple! You don’t have to go crazy with ingredients. Keep your meals basic by selecting a few whole foods.
4. Portion size does matter. When you pack your lunch, choose smaller containers. If you pack seven pounds of turkey, odds are you’re going to eat seven pounds of turkey. Bring enough food but don’t overdo it.
5. Don’t settle for empty calories. Read those labels! Even if a food is advertised as “healthy” there may be hidden sugars and high salt content. Opt for food that God made and try to limit packaged food.
6. Pick a protein. Protein is essential for many bodily functions and it is very filling. Including protein in every meal and snack will keep hunger at bay. Cottage cheese, string cheese, meat, eggs, and black beans are great sources of protein.
7. Be a water baby! Our bodies are over 60% water. Keep a water bottle with you and aim to drink .5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight. For example, a person that weighs 150 pounds should aim to drink 75-150 ounces of water. It may cause you to take several trips back and forth to the bathroom but that might be a positive too since it will increase your daily movement.
8. Listen to your body. Sometimes we eat out of boredom or frustration or even because it’s just the time of day that people typically eat. Even if you aren’t hungry you could find yourself wandering around looking for a snack just because it’s considered ‘lunch time’. Take a moment to really listen to your body and decipher if you are truly hungry. Did you just eat? Are you stressed out? Sometimes even just a cup of cold water will satisfy that urge to snack.
9. Limit your sugar intake. Our culture celebrates a lot of things with sugar. Birthday? Let’s get a cake. Happy Bosses Day? Let’s all eat donuts. Sugar is sneaky. It’s in a ton of foods and the more you eat, the more you think you need. It’s ok to have a sweet tooth and it’s okay to indulge occasionally. But keep in mind, there are many natural foods that can satisfy your craving for something sweet without reaching for a Snickers. Let’s aim for the former rather than the later.
10. Give yourself some grace. We are all human and make mistakes. So you had a donut with coffee this morning. Ok, let’s just make a healthier choice for lunch. Don’t beat yourself up. And definitely don’t let that one donut be an excuse to eat poorly the rest of the day.
Eating healthy does not have to be a burden but it can most definitely be a blessing. God gave you one body. Fueling your body with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods will help you make the most of your day. Eat good, feel good!
