Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet can be a challenge even if you had all the resources and time in the world to plan and prepare. The reality is that most of us are busy and struggle with making healthy food decisions. This means that we often find ourselves opting for convenience over nutrients, or worse yet, skipping meals altogether. 

Eating healthy, even with a busy and active lifestyle, doesn’t have to be difficult or limit your schedule. With a little bit of preparation and know-how, you can maintain a healthy diet on-the-go. 

Here are our top tips for ensuring you’re staying healthy regardless of your busy schedule:

1.     Invest in quality air-tight sealable food storage containers. Eating on the go can be made so much easier if you have the right tools. It’ll be worth your while to purchase some stackable food storage containers in a variety of sizes to make your food easy to grab and go.

2.     Meal prep. Whether you have an afternoon during the week or on the weekend, find a few hours to prepare the essentials. For example, make a few large servings of brown rice or quinoa to store in the fridge. These mild-flavored grains are a great base to add to a salad or a side dish for some protein. Having it ready-made reduces prep time and ensures you are filling your body with good nutrients.

3.     Increase your protein and healthy fats. When you’re pre-cooking food during your meal prep afternoon, be sure to prep foods high in protein and healthy fats. These foods tend to keep you full longer to help tide you over--- until you can sit down for a proper meal. Examples of these foods include nuts, string cheese, beef jerky or hard boiled eggs.

4.     Pre-package your snacks. It’s so much easier to grab a snack from the pantry or fridge if it’s already measured out into a serving size and kept in separate baggies. Next time you buy trail mix, measure out a serving size or two in separate baggies. That way you can grab and go!

5.     Drink plenty of water. Invest in a reusable water bottle that you can keep with  you wherever you go. Refill it and drink often. Water not only helps to keep you hydrated but also full. 

During your next check-up, ask your doctor about whether they might recommend some of these vitamins to supplement your diet. You might be surprised how much better you feel! Inter Valley Health Plan hosts classes regularly on health and vitality. For a full list of classes in your area, please visit forhealthandliving.com/ivhpevents.