4 Healthy Eating Tips for Very Busy People

Written By: Mairead, Registered DietitianHands up if you are very busy!
While I can’t see those hands from here, I’m betting there’s a 99% chance yours is up. These tips are for you.

Whether this time of year is extra busy for you with work, or kids’ sports, or having more events as the school year starts to wind down, we can all use a bit of help to find ways to still eat well.

Try one of these tips this week to make life just a tiny bit easier and healthier!

1. Make a list of easy meals! I ask clients to do this all the time and it really does make a difference. If you’re not someone who meal plans and don’t want to be, this is a great option. Simply make a list of a few easy meals that you and the people you eat with enjoy, that can be made with things you usually have on hand, or with very minimal grocery shopping. This could be pasta with sauce and a vegetable on the side, eggs and toast with fruit, or whatever makes sense for you. Keep that list on the fridge, and pick something on it whenever you don’t know what to have for dinner!
2. Add that vegetable! When we get busy, our meals become rushed or we might be relying on convenience and take-out foods more often and THAT’S OK. Instead of beating yourself up about options that might not be as nutrient-dense as you’d hope, focus on what you can add – for many of us, that will be vegetables. Add bagged or premade salad to your pizza. Pair a bag of baby carrots and dip with some hot dogs. Throw some frozen broccoli in the microwave to have with your boxed mac and cheese. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and it will bring an extra dose of vitamins and fibre to your meal!
3. Take your water bottle everywhere! Find one that works for you and hold tight to it. Take it to work. In the car. To the gym. Near you at home. Keeping it near you will remind you to drink, even when there’s so many other things going on. If you know you struggle to drink enough, try using a straw; it sounds weird but you will drink more!
4. Remember to actually eat! While this seems obvious, not eating when we’re busy is all too common. Your brain and body just won’t function as well if you’re not giving them the food they need, and you don’t have time for that! If you’re busy at work, make sure you have easy lunch and snack options if you can’t take time away. If you’re on the go, make sure you have something to eat or plans to stop for food. You don’t have time to be hungry!

As a dietitian, my goal is to help everyone take the stress out of food, whatever their goals and whatever else is going on in life. If you want to chat more, reach out! Email [email protected] for more info, or CLICK HERE to book a FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat to go over your goals and make sure this is the right fit for you!