Healthy Eating on the Run

It’s hard to balance everything from work to household duties. Even when you are on the run you shouldn’t be sacrificing your health. There are plenty of healthy ways to fit nutrition into your schedule. Here are some tips for eating on the run!

1. Look at your schedule and think about the week to come. Try to plan ahead as much as possible and consider meal options that will be available.

2. Consider packing a healthy lunch or taking snacks with you to work, or even for when you are just doing errands. If you are hungry and have a healthy lunch or snack readily available, you’ll be less tempted to eat office junk food or get lunch from a fast food restaurant and be subjected to an array of unhealthy food options. Some suggestions for snacks include peanut butter and whole wheat crackers, carrots, fruit, nuts, trail mix, whole grain cereal, and granola bars.

3. If you will be eating at a restaurant during the week, most of them provide the nutrition facts either online or have copies inside the restaurant. If you frequently eat at a particular restaurant, you may want to consider printing out or picking up a menu and highlighting the healthier options.

4. Take time to look over the menu. Choose items that have less fat and calories, which can be indicated by baked, braised, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted, and steamed. Avoid terms such as batter-fried, pan-fried, buttered, creamed, crispy, and breaded as these items typically have more fat and calories.

5. Order the regular-size portion and avoid mega-sized servings, as they will typically give you more food and calories than you need. If you do want the larger meal option, eat only half and save the rest for another meal.

6. Make sure to always eat breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day and jumpstarts your metabolism. Start the day off right with eggs and whole wheat toast or a bowl of oatmeal. Plan for just 10 minutes in the morning for a healthy breakfast!

7. Grab lunch or dinner at your supermarket deli. This is a fresh and nutritious alternative to fast food. Order a whole wheat turkey sandwich or fill up a to-go container at the salad bar.