How To Stay Healthy For The Busy Person

How To Stay Healthy For The Busy Person

Nicole Hinckley, RD, LD

Are you one of those people that are constantly on the go? Trust me, I get it. I would be surprised if you even had time to read anything besides the main points in this blog. Here are my top 5 tips on how to stay on track with your health goals, while also conquering everything else you have going on in your crazy busy schedule.

1. Know your go-to meals. Have a list of about 2-3 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that you know are fast, easy, and fit your nutrient and calorie needs. When you are busy the last thing you want to do is get on Pinterest and make a gourmet meal. Find a few options you like, and stick with them. It is great to get a wide variety of nutrients, so make sure to pack as many colors into your go-to meals as you can.

2. Schedule exercise into your day like it is a meeting. You would not miss a meeting just because you didn’t feel like it would you? Write it down in your phone, agenda, or on a piece of paper, and cross it off when you complete it. Exercise is essential, especially for the busy person. Exercise is a great way to relieve mental stress. Research shows exercise can help you lower your stress hormones and increase your mood.

3. Plan your grocery lists. I know it sounds counterproductive. You do not have time to sit down and plan a grocery list, you are too busy for that. Trust me, spending a few minutes to plan what meals you will be having that week will be so worth it. If you do not have time to go to the grocery store, order your groceries online while you are on a lunch break, and pick them up on the way home. Planning what you are having each day of the week gets rid of that time to sit there and think, what can I make in the kitchen? It also prevents those runs through the drive through.

4. Make foods in bulk. I always try to get at least 2-3 meals out of each item I make. If you are planning on having shrimp tacos for dinner, make sure to cook enough to have shrimp in your salad for lunch. I do the same thing with my veggies and complex carbohydrates. I will cook diced sweet potatoes, and have it with eggs and kale, the next day for lunch in a chicken and quinoa bowl, and then the next day in a breakfast taco. Containers are your best friend. Cook a variety of foods, separate them in containers, grab, and go!

5. Always have a balanced pre-planned snack with you. I see this all the time in my busy bee patients. They go and go all day long, and then as soon as they have an opportunity they gorge and consume too many calories. Typically, those calories are not from the most quality choices. Set yourself up for success, and have a healthy option with you at all times. I recommend a KIND bar, carrots and hummus, or fruit and peanut butter to go.