Eating Healthy...On the Run

Work. Soccer practice. Doctors’ appointments. It seems like there is a never-ending list of things to get done during the day – leaving little time for healthy meals at home with your family. But just because you’re eating out doesn’t mean that you can’t eat healthy. Consider the following tips for eating healthy when you’re short on time.

• No time for breakfast before you head out the door in the morning? Grab a piece of fresh fruit or a cup of low-fat yogurt.
• Speaking of breakfast, beware of oversized muffins, bagels, and biscuits. The larger the size, the more calories and fat.
• Choose grilled, broiled, or baked food options. Treat yourself to fried foods only once in a while. Fried foods tend to contain more fat than other methods of cooking.
• Order a side salad rather than french fries or onion rings. You can also try a baked potato. Just remember to go light with butter or sour cream. Instead, substitute broccoli or salsa.
• When you need to have a fried food fix, go for larger items. Smaller items absorb more fat because they have a larger surface area. So opt for a chicken breast rather than chicken fingers or steak fries rather than shoestring fries.
• Get your pizza with plenty of veggies on it. Skip the pepperoni, sausage, and other high-fat meats. If you decide to include meat, try lower-fat options like Canadian bacon or chicken.
• Worried about willpower or the kids going after foods that may not be nutritious? Keep snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or crackers and peanut butter handy. Snacks like these will help tide you over until you’re able to get home.

Last updated: July 2006