Eating Well When You're Busy Isn't As Hard As You Think

Eating Well When You're Busy Isn't As Hard As You Think

Wake up. Hit the gym. Get ready for work. Meetings. Emails. Appointments. Commute home. Run errands. Catch up on Netflix. Get ready for bed. Pass out. Repeat tomorrow.

With a schedule that hectic, it’s easy to convince yourself you don’t have time to eat well. You’re already proud (and, frankly, shocked) that you manage to squeeze in workouts now and again. Isn’t that enough?

Fitness is only one piece of the healthy lifestyle puzzle. Helpful sleep habits, low stress levels, and clean eating are also essential to overall wellness. The good news is, you don’t have to be a Cordon Bleu graduate to whip up nutritious and tasty meals. And you don’t have to be unemployed to have enough time to do it.

No excuses. These 5 easy habits keep you eating healthy when you’re busy, so bring on the overcrowded schedule and the chaotic to-do list. Because nothing should get between you and your veggies.

#1 Plan Your Meals

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Planning out your meals ahead of time helps you manage both your time and your diet more effectively. Write a list of your meals for the week along with their ingredients. You’ll only need to make one trip to the store, and you won’t be tempted to make unhealthy choices out of convenience when a long day at work leaves you lazy and craving comfort food.

#2 Invest In A Crock Pot

A crock pot or slow cooker is a painless way to prepare meals when you can’t spend hours in the kitchen. Throw in a little meat, some veg, broth, a few seasonings… let it simmer while you’re at the office… come home to a hot and healthy meal. It couldn’t be simpler, and the internet is chock-full of diet-conscious crock pot recipes for cooks who are big on ambition but short on time.

#3 Make Water Easily Accessible

It’s no secret that adequate H2O consumption is key to optimal health. The best way to ensure you imbibe a sufficient amount is to make it easy to do so. Stash water everywhere you can. Keep a glass by your bed, a glass on your desk, a bottle in your car. Anywhere you go, water should go with – or better yet, already be there.

#4 Have Healthy Snacks Handy

When a snack attack hits, you’ll be tempted to grab whatever grub is closest. Suddenly the vending machine down the hall looks like 5-star cuisine. Instead of stuffing down your fourth Snickers bar this week, keep emergency snacks stockpiled in your desk and car. Nuts, seeds, and single-serving hand fruits are healthy options that can easily be stored anywhere.

#5 Cook Extra

Cook for two (or three, or four) even if you’re dining solo. You’ll only have to drum up the energy to cook once, and you’ll have leftovers to distribute throughout the week. Extras make easy lunches to take to work and dinners when you’re too wiped to do anything but reheat and relax with a cold one.