Easy Healthy Meals For Your Busy Life

Health & FitnessNutrition & Supplement

  • Author Christine Cronau
  • Published April 25, 2011
  • Word count 751

With today’s on-the-go lifestyle, easy healthy meals are important. It seems like nobody has time anymore to sit down to a real long meal unless its prom night or your wedding dinner.

The problem is- where do you find easy healthy meals? ‘Easy’ meals are readily available. Pop a microwave meal in and you are on the way! But it’s not always healthy. Here are some quick tips to make easy, healthy meals.

Breakfast

Don’t skip breakfast! An ABC News poll found 4 in 10 people skip breakfast. What would your mom think about that, hmm? And of those of us eating breakfast, almost a third are rushing and not taking time to eat slowly. Another interesting fact from the study: 39% of those polled admitted eating pizza for breakfast at some point!

For breakfast, try fresh fruit in the morning for an easy, healthy meal. You could also add it to cereal. Cereal is the leading breakfast food according to the ABC News poll. The challenge with cereal is to make sure the sugar content is not off the charts.

At breakfast many items are either very high in carbs (toast, bagels, etc) or very high fat (sausage, bacon). Avoid too many eggs/week as it can affect your cholesterol. Try to get eggs whites instead of whole eggs. Prepare them as usual and throw on some healthy vegetables and you are on your way.

How about that old favorite – oatmeal? Oatmeal is great--just don’t pile on sugar from the sugar bowl. Add some berries, or even granola.

If you have a blender handy, throw together a protein shake. Just blend some soy protein powder, low-fat milk (or soy milk), some frozen berries, and maybe a little bit of butter. Voila!

Lunch

In this economy you are working harder than ever and often end up eating at your desk. First, try to avoid that- studies show the desk is not the most germ-free area (yikes) and it also encourages eating too much. Better to take time to have a social lunch with co-workers to get away from the rock-pile for 5 minutes.

Or even get out and take a 15 minute walk.

That said, for a quick easy lunch you have to do a little planning. The night before work, prepare your lunch for the next day. Consider using whole grains, fruits and vegetable and lean meats.

One good idea is to make double dinners. That is, when you prepare your normal dinner, make an extra amount, freeze the rest and then use that for lunches. This is assuming the dinner was healthy in the first place!

If you are preparing sandwiches, add some excitement with a healthy twist. Try things you’ve never had like Asian Turkey Meatball Wraps or Low-Fat Grilled Cheese.

Sometimes we overeat at lunch because by the time lunch rolls around we are famished and may overeat. Try to have a light snack—maybe yogurt or a granola bar an hour before lunch.

Dinner

If you have kids in the household, try to eat easy, healthy meals as a family. Some studies are reporting that kids that sit down with their family eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated fat.

First of all, even on those nights where you have to eat order in pizza, not all is lost in terms of eating meals that are easy and healthy. Just add healthy side dishes like easy salads or a fruit plate. You’d be surprised how many eat will go for the healthy options.

How about some healthy tacos? Pile on the lettuce and tomato and remember to use reduced fat cheese. Pre-roasted chicken from the store is quick and healthy. Add fast-cooking rice and some vegetables and you are home free.

Frozen vegetables are easy and healthy as long as you are wary of sodium levels (which are rising in processed foods in general). Look for brands made specifically for healthy eating. Do your homework and check the sugar and salt levels.

It’s funny that despite all our labor saving devices we still lead rushed lives. In their book "Busier Than Ever" Charles N. Darrah, James M. Freeman, and J.A. English-Lueck explain that our many minor commitments and activities add up overtime, and before we know it, we are running around hurried and stressed. Eating right has never been more of a challenge. Slow down a smidge and look to see where you can add quick, easy meals to your busy life.

Christine Cronau - author of "Great Health is a Piece of Cake" - offers ideas and advice for a healthier life. Check out more easy healthy meals, tips and recipes on her blog: www.ChristineCronau.com

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