But did you ever think about planning ahead to eat healthy? Studies confirm that it is impossible to “out-exercise” a bad diet, so eating healthy foods, watching calories and portion sizes really do go hand in hand with a regular exercise regime. Here are some easy ways to plan ahead to eat healthy during the week when you are busy with work, school, family and church commitments:
- Go through your cupboards and write down what you are going to make each day so there is no guesswork when it comes to grocery shopping and meal planning.
- Chop veggies and fruit ahead of time so you can cut down on prep time when you are cooking supper.
- Make food ahead of time. Soups and casseroles can be made days in advance and then warmed up.
- Don’t get too fancy. Pick one new recipe a week. Your family doesn’t require new recipes each day, just cook what they like.
- Plan one day for leftovers because you know you will have them. Bake or grill enough chicken or cook an extra pound of turkey for tomorrow night’s supper.
- Put your lunches in mason jars. Salads done this way work amazing, you can make them all on the weekend, and they will keep in the jar all week.
- If you are really crunched for time, buy the bagged salads or pre-cut vegetables.
- Keep single serving sized snack bags around so that you are never tempted to eat a whole bag of chips at one sitting!
- Keep fruit out on the counter so you and your kids see it – grab an apple, a banana or grapes for a quick and healthy snack.
- Try to slow down at meal times to enjoy the company of your family!