If you’re like most people, you’re busy. And when you’re busy, food can be fast, too. So how do you eat healthy while living a busy lifestyle? It all comes down to understanding your options for healthy eating on-the-go and your particular body’s nutrient needs that must be satisfied.
Everyone’s body processes nutrients differently; what we eat or drink impacts the skin and our overall health. If you have a chronic skin condition, it’s very important to maintain a healthy and proper diet profile that fits your body’s needs. It is this attention to the proper nuance of your unique body needs that makes the difference between healthy and radiant skin and some other less than desire-able outcome.
When we eat on-the-go, it’s easy to miss important nutrients. Probably one of the main food categories missed are vegetables and fruits. We’re supposed to take 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day. Most people hover at about 2.5! Fruits and vegetables are antioxidant powerhouses, so make sure to include them as often as possible. Eating vegetables and fruits on-the-go are actually the fastest of ‘fast foods’. There’s not much to crunching into an apple, peeling an orange or even tossing a salad with your favorite dressing. There’s no cooking involved, yet on-the-goers tend to skimp on the fruits and veggies. Bring some veggies sticks along for the ride or find stores that carry grab ’n go salads.
When it comes to carbohydrates, it’s easier to eat processed carbohydrates on-the-go, because that’s what’s available in most convenience stores and restaurants. But whole grains are essential for lasting energy. Most fast food restaurants and grab-n-go snacks are full of processed, “white” carbohydrates. These foods give a quick energy boost that is short-lived and detract from our health.
Another common ingredient in fast food is unhealthy fat, namely trans fats. It’s important to focus on healthy fats because they help reduce inflammation in the body, revitalize the skin, improve brain health and mood, while satiating us so that we feel full rather than famished.
Finally, if you eat on-the-run, you may find yourself filling up with empty-calorie snacks that provide you short-term boosts of energy and few nutrients. Avoid fake fuel snacks that deplete your energy like caffeine, sugar and processed foods. Commercially made coffee, and other refined beverages with caffeine may seem to give you an energy boost, but don’t last long, and may have many contrary effects on your skin health and your over-all body health that go un-noticed.
Try these simple energy on-the-go snacks
Pack healthy snacks: Carrying healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and vegetables can help you avoid unhealthy options when you’re on the go. You can also pack a small cooler with healthy snacks like (very easy to make at home) hummus.
- Walnuts have many characteristics that make them an excellent food for healthy skin.
- Trail Mix – buy raw almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and mix together in a bag before you go out the door.
- Broccoli or Kale chips (you can bake or air fry them ahead of time).
- Veggie sticks.
- Ella’s crackers.
- Sunflower seeds.
- Baked sweet potato – Bake ahead of time, you can also make chips baked or air fried.
- Avocado – if you are going to be traveling and not able to get a healthy meal, avocados have good fat and will satisfy you.
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, are excellent foods for healthy skin.
Always choose anti-inflammatory foods: Foods that are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve skin health. Some other examples include, nuts, olives, olive oil, and legumes.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which can contribute to inflammation and skin problems. Try to avoid processed foods and opt for whole foods instead.
Plan ahead: Planning your meals ahead of time can help you make healthier choices and avoid unhealthy options when you’re on the go. You can also look up healthy options at restaurants before you go out to eat.
Remember, everyone’s body is different, so it’s important to work with a healthcare professional to develop a healthy eating plan that works for your specific needs.
When you make energizing on-the-go choices, you’ll have more energy to lead your busy lifestyle without feeling depleted or exhausted. So give it a try and let me know what on-the-go options keep you going!
In health,
Coach Annie
