It can be difficult to feel ready to start eating healthier if you don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’ve been struggling with poor nutrition since the onset of the work from home days, and you’re looking for ways to snack healthier during the work day. Whatever your situation is, here are some tips to help you make healthier choices at home!
Prepare Several Snacks and/or Meals at the Beginning of the Week.
We are not talking about all-out meal prep here if that’s not your thing, only having some options on hand for you to grab quickly during the work day. For example, preparing a batch of healthier spinach & artichoke dip to eat with the baby carrots you bought at the store is a great option to have in the fridge for when you need a quick bite. Cutting up fruit and veggies also helps to ensure those foods are accessible when you want them. You’ll be much more likely to eat healthy when those options are already prepared, especially when you’re short on time in the middle of the day.
Keep the Healthier Options in Front.
This applies to the fridge, pantry, and counter. When you’re short on time and feeling hungry, you’re likely to grab the first thing you can find rather than take the time to rummage through the fridge for the most sensible option. So why not make the first thing you can find a healthy snack? Keep things like veggies, fruit, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, and nuts in the front and you will be more likely to eat those things when you start looking for food.
Always Grocery Shop with a List.
Going to the grocery store without a shopping list is a surefire way to end up with things you don’t want. So make sure you spend a few minutes before your trip checking the fridge and pantry for things that are missing. Brainstorm some healthy snack ideas and put those ingredients on the list. Make sure you know what you’re having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. And most importantly, stick to your list!
Keep Protein- and Fiber-Rich Snacks Around.
These two very important nutrients keep you feeling full for longer, which means you’ll be less likely to snack on refined grain or high-fat products. Veggies and hummus, whole-grain toast with nut butter, granola and dried fruit, and greek yogurt with fruit are all delicious snacks that will keep you going for the rest of the afternoon.
Take Advantage of Frozen Fruit and Veggies.
Having a busy week? Maybe you keep forgetting to use that broccoli you bought and it just ends up in the compost week after week? Believe it or not, frozen produce is just as, if not more nutritious than its fresh counterparts. Produce is frozen at the peak of its freshness, so you don’t have to sacrifice any vitamins and minerals by eating it. It’s super easy to just pop some frozen broccoli in the microwave to go with dinner or throw a few frozen mango chunks in your morning smoothie. And it produces less food waste – it’s a win-win!
These tips should make it easier to navigate the healthy-eating waters. If you’re still feeling like you can’t quite get a grip on how to change up your diet, make an appointment with one of our fantastic nutritionists. They are experts in nutrient rich eating patterns and can help you get started on your journey to better health, today! We offer 100% of our appointments via Telehealth to keep you safe, healthy, and at home.
Written by Sara Kushner, Metabolic Reset Program Intern and MSN-DPD student at Bastyr University