The statement “I don’t have time to eat” can be true–I’ve heard it from countless clients. Unfortunately, it’s usually accompanied by poor food choices when the opportunity to eat arises. Either circumstance is unacceptable for a healthy body. I dealt with both of these issues for the first two weeks after my daughter was born, but I’ve learned how to tackle these beasts appropriately. Whether you’re juggling a demanding job, playing taxi for your family, responding to incessant I-Phone messages, or caring for a newborn, here are some strategies for learning to eat while on the run.
1) Set a timer and don’t turn it off until you’ve eaten. You CANNOT skip meals, so you simply must take time to eat, but when everything is demanding your immediate attention it’s easy to forget. Frankly, with all the adrenaline pumping through your body from high stress levels, your stomach probably won’t even remind you. I lost my appetite for about 5 days after my daughter’s birth, then when I was getting hungry, I found myself so stretched for time that eating took a back seat. This can be a huge problem for functionality and metabolism. So, set the timer, and when it goes off, grab something!
2) Stock the house with clean, pure, healthy, fresh foods. In the strategy above, I told you to grab something, but you can’t simply grab anything and expect your stomach to be happy and your body to work at its optimum. When you’re demanding a lot from your mind and body, you must fuel it. Keep the house stocked with healthy foods. Here are some of my staples that are always in my house: a ton of pre-cut fresh fruits and veges, lean meats, cold cuts, peanut butter, nuts, protein powder, eggs, oatmeal. If you let the pantry or fridge start to get bare, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
3) When you have extra time, cook, cook, cook. I have found that my most hectic time of day is first thing in the morning–eating breakfast was getting difficult, and I soon found myself going from 6pm to 9am the next morning without food–bad, bad, bad! To remedy my breakfast problem, I made 2 different casseroles that were easy to heat in the microwave. These will last me about 10 days, and they’re healthy, balanced, and hot and ready in 2 minutes.
4) Make extra food for dinner….because leftovers for lunch are a lifesaver. Keep it balanced and healthy, so a microwave is all you need.
5) Keep cold drinks refrigerated in serving sized containers. Don’t forget hydration–it’s crucial! I’m always a jugger (one who carries a jug of water), but I found myself those first 2 weeks really lagging in the hydration department, and I could tell my lethargy immediately. So, I took my pitchers and filled them all up with water and green tea. I also keep several grab-and-go cups in the fridge. Drink BEFORE you feel thirsty!
It is very true that eating sometimes gets the shaft when it comes to hectic lives, but with just a little planning and organization, you’ll soon find yourself just as successful at providing for your body the way you provide for everyone else who is demanding your time. It is OK to eat something before you answer that call or get the kids in the car or respond to that message or pick up your crying daughter. Never forget: YOU have to be a priority too. What good are you to others if you’re not functioning? The only one who will take care of you is you!
