With the responsibilities of work, coupled with all of life’s other obligations, food can quickly become a secondary concern. It’s easy to get into the habit of running to the local cafeteria, grabbing something convenient and heading back to the office for lunch. When you get home, you’re probably so tired that you order in the usual takeout.
That may solve the problem until tomorrow. But eventually, unhealthy eating will take a toll on your health, be it through losing energy, gaining weight, getting ill or a myriad of other avoidable issues. You can do better. Even busy professionals who have not a second to waste can fuel up on a diet that keeps them working and winning.
Here are 6 healthy eating tips that will help you make it happen.
Never Skip Breakfast
Mornings are usually the busiest few hours of the day. It’s easy to forgo your first meal and move straight to work. Of course, this is no way forward. Take some time to think up a few healthy breakfast options that will fit into your routine. Here are some of the best foods to eat in the morning:
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Berries
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
- Greek yoghurt
Most of these don’t require any major preparation and you can combine them easily. For example, some blueberries mixed into a bowl of granola with Greek yoghurt will suffice.
Portion in Advance
Snacking is a common habit done as a means of getting something into your system when there’s no time to cook. But even if you avoid junk food, you risk losing track of just how many snacks you’ve eaten. Pre-portioning when you’re still in the kitchen can help, and it’s better to put your day’s snacks in a container than to take the whole box or bag.
Stick to Water
It should go without saying that water is the number one option for hydration. Coffee is relatively healthy as long as you avoid sugar, but try sticking to water when you can. This will reduce your dependence on caffeine and save a ton of money. Simply keep a water bottle nearby and throw in a lemon for flavor.
Invest in Proper Equipment
When you do decide to cook up a storm, you can save time by having the right tools. For example, ceramic pots and pans sets are very popular thanks to their non-stick coatings and dishwasher-friendliness that spares you the effort of having to scrub and scour in the sink for ages after every meal. Efficient kitchen appliances are also a wise investment.
Start Meal Prepping
Aside from snacks, you can also prepare lunches and even dinners at home to save time. If you work from Monday to Friday, for instance, then allocating Sunday evening to cooking meals for the week ahead is a great approach. All you need are a few non-toxic containers that will hold up in the freezer to keep your food fresh as the week goes by.
Keep it Simple
Most cookbooks and recipe sites will have you believe that every meal needs to look like it’s part of a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant. That’s far from necessary. It also doesn’t have to be the case that your food always lights off fireworks in your mouth.
Sometimes, you just need to eat what makes your body happy. Keeping it simple will save money, time and effort. It may also change your relationship with food to see it more as sustenance than a constant treat.
As you can see, eating healthy is possible even during the busiest of times. All you need to do is change your approach. Good luck!
