After Clean Eating for over 7 years, I have found that if I get off track it is when I am away from home or too busy. That means I have come up with some ways to eat healthy meals on the go that are functional and provide us with things we like no matter where we are. We work off the 90/10 rule which ideally would keep us eating real unprocessed foods ninety percent of the time and having premade or processed foods (AKA treats) the other 10 percent. This works perfectly as long as the pantry and fridge are well-stocked and I am not super busy or away from home a lot. So, for the times when I am overwhelmed or extra busy I have developed these helpful ways to eat healthy meals on the go.
6 Ways To Eat Healthy Meals On The Go
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Purchase a Small Cooler or Lunch Bag. We actually have a few options we alternate using but my favorite is the eBags Crew Cooler II. It works great for our travel purposes and on the go. You can also use a basic small insulated lunchbox for just a couple snacks and a small ice pack and can even fit inside a purse or bag. Every work day, I pack the larger bag for my husband to take to work filled with his lunch, water, and snacks. I also use this one for any time we travel or even on a weekend day if I know we will be away from home during snack or meal time.
Carry a Bottle of Water Everywhere You Go. It is super important to take in enough water daily and the way I can be sure I get enough water is to have a bottle of water with me at all times. Drink even when you aren’t feeling thirsty. This will help curb hunger and take the edge off when you have let yourself go a little too long without food. Admittedly, drinking mostly water can get boring so we alternate between plain water, infused water and occasionally sparkling water. Last Christmas, my sister gave me this great Infuser water bottle which I have really enjoyed with some lemon and lime or even blueberries or orange slices.
Always Have Individual Portions of Healthy Choices Ready to Go. Each time you shop for groceries choose 2 or 3 foods that you can divide up into individual servings or even ones that are already individually prepared. Some of my favorites are olives, pickles, popcorn, apples, nuts, fruit strips, hard boiled eggs, and granola bars. As soon as I unpack my groceries at home, I go ahead and portion out a couple servings of each so I can just grab them and go. This takes less than 5 minutes and eliminates most of my excuses for not being able to grab a snack when I am trying to rush out the door.
Have an Emergency Food Stash. Life happens and appointments run long, traffic gets backed up or you run out of the house and forget your food for the day. Keep a baggie of nuts, a granola bar or apple in your purse, gym bag or car for emergencies. When I worked in an office cubicle environment, I had a drawer devoted to emergency food. I kept oatmeal, fruit strips, granola bars, protein powder and nut butter plus a little dark chocolate. All of these items kept well and were a quick solution that helped me steer clear of the vending machine when a food emergency hit. The key is to always replenish it once you use it so you are never left without!
Do Not Let Yourself Get Too Hungry. If I am going to make a poor food choice or be too paralyzed to make a decision about food, it will always be when I am past hungry and have moved on to “hangry”. By this point, I can’t think clearly, my blood sugar is low and I am usually shaky so anything resembling food is up for grabs. To avoid this, I will try to eat something small to settle this feeling down and then I can think clearly to make a better choice. For me, it might mean running into a convenience store to grab a string cheese or banana so I can think clearly to drive home and prepare dinner.
Know Your Best Choices When Eating Out. This is worth mentioning since we all have times when being prepared simply doesn’t happen no matter how much we try. Or we have reached the “hangry” stage and it is in everyone’s best interest that we stop at a restaurant and have a regular meal. When this scenario plays out for me, I quickly survey the area and try to choose a restaurant where I know I can get a protein and vegetables. Choosing grilled chicken breast, a vegetable stir fry over brown rice or a vegetable omelet can be filling and even healthy when eating out. Take a few minutes to research nearby restaurants and determine two or three which have healthier options. In your cell phone, make a note of these options and then when you are feeling desperate, look at your note and make a choice from your list. You will make a healthier choice without having to think clearly!
There are tons of ways to eat healthy meals on the go when you think outside the box and plan ahead. These tips are just a few of our favorites that we know will help you to make better decisions for your health.
Other Health Tips:
- 5 Ways To Fight Food Cravings On Your Health Journey
- How To Afford Healthy Foods
- Tips For Getting Past A Weight Loss Plateau
- Healthy Recipes For Dinner Featuring Chicken
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