How To Make Healthy Food Choices On The Go

Try as you might, it’s not always possible to prepare all your meals. No one has the time or energy to spend hours preparing dishes packed with nutrients.

It’s also not easy sticking with a diet plan when you’re busy rushing from one meeting to the next. Sometimes, it’s just easier to grab food on the go. But the problem is that fast food isn’t always healthy food.

Because we know how important your health is, I rounded up some practical tips to help you make healthy food choices on the go.

Let’s get started.

1.     Be Honest with Yourself

As with any new habit or lifestyle change, the first thing you have to do is be honest with yourself about a few things. Be open, about what your schedule is like and assess your busiest days.

These will probably be when you don't have time to prepare healthy meals. Therefore, you’ll need to prepare a couple beforehand, so you can just grab them and go.

Another thing you have to be honest about is the types of food you eat. Luckily, we now live in a time when almost any food can be made healthier.

Craving a burger? Try a veggie burger or use lettuce as a wrap instead of bread. Need some chocolate in your life? Grab a bar of dark chocolate for your sweet tooth and a nice boost of antioxidants as well.

Understanding your likes and dislikes can go a long way in helping you make healthy food choices on the go. Get to know some better substitutes to keep you on track.

2.     Get the Right Tools

Making healthy food choices isn’t just about knowing what to buy at the supermarket. It’s also about getting suitable tools and materials to help make the process easier.

For example, two great buys are to-go boxes, such as microwave-safe bento and lunch boxes. Simply fill them up the night before. Then, just grab them from the fridge, pop them in your bag, and you’re set for the day.

For batch cooking, invest in a Dutch oven, Slow cooker, or crockpot. Each of this cookware is guaranteed to make meal prep quick and hassle-free. You just add the ingredients, set the timer, and let it do its thing. Cooking in larger amounts allows you to cover meals for 2-3 days, making it easier and decreasing time spent in the kitchen.

3.     Think Ahead

Why not take a couple of hours out of your weekend to organise a meal schedule for the busy week ahead? You can go old school and use a pen and paper, or get yourself a meal prep journal or diary, which helps you create plans you can rotate on a regular basis.

Or you can take advantage of today’s technology and download one of the many meal-planning apps available. These apps help you schedule meals, prepare shopping lists, and even help you manage your budget.

Other benefits of using a meal-planning app include the following:

• Focus only on the items on your grocery list, so you only buy what you need
• Suggest new and fun recipe ideas
• No more stressing over what you’ll eat or how much time it’ll take you
• Calculate how many carbs, fat, proteins, and other nutrients you’re consuming each day
• Know your total caloric intake for the day (especially important if you're on a weight loss plan).

4.     Choose Wisely

It’s hard choosing healthy foods when you’re eating out or passing through a drive-thru. However, the good news is that now almost every fast-food place has a handful of healthy food options to choose from.

Due to the growing demand for healthier food choices, fast-food chains have amended many of their items. Some have even added brand-new ones that are all about being healthy.

In the meantime, try these tips:

• Pick the smaller portion sizes
• Opt for a side salad instead of fries
• Choose grilled chicken instead of fried chicken or a beef burger
• Order water, diet soda, or unsweetened coffee or tea

5.     Be a Smart Snacker

Sometimes we’re just so swamped with work that we don't have time to eat. So, we go to a vending machine and get a bag of chips or a bar of chocolate with a bazillion calories.

Sure, it’ll satiate you for about 15 minutes. But then, because they’re also loaded with sugar, your blood sugar levels will take a nose dive. Soon, you won’t be able to focus on your work, and you’ll be dying to take a nap. This is what is known as an insulin spike.

To avoid putting yourself through all that, learn how to snack smart. This means choosing snacks that keep you feeling full for hours without all the loaded sugar, sodium, and fat. Choose high fibre, whole foods, wholegrain with some healthy fats to slow down or even stop those hunger pangs.

Below is a list of some nutritious snacks you need to have in your bag at all times. From sweet to savoury, these yummy snacks will ensure you always make healthy food choices.

• Trail mix
• Nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts, and walnuts
• Chopped vegetables with a side of salsa or hummus
• Cut-up or whole fruit
• Rice cakes or popcorn
• Yoghurt with fruit
• Homemade sugar-free protein balls

At the end of the day, you may need to go off track sometimes, and that's ok. But with a little thought and planning, you can enjoy healthier food, that makes you feel better and allows your mind and body to function optimally.