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For families on the go, maintaining a healthy diet can be a struggle. With fast food joints on every corner and unhealthy snack foods so readily available, how can you make sure everyone eats right when time is tight?
Making time to eat healthy while juggling work, school and all those extracurricular activities requires determination and some serious pre-planning. Here are some tips for busy families who want to eliminate junk food and maintain a healthy diet in the fast lane.
Freeze It - Freezing and canning may have fallen out of favor these days, but our grandmothers had the right idea. Preparing and freezing a week's worth of meals ahead of time takes some effort and planning, but is a sure-fire way to battle fast food temptations and maintain a healthy diet. Who wants a burger and fries when you've got a delicious, home-cooked meal waiting at home? Casseroles, soups, side dishes and meats can all be frozen and thawed for later use. For tips on making the most of your freezer, visit Food for my Family.
Fast Snacks - When you are in a hurry, it's often easier to grab an unhealthy snack than it is to prepare something that's actually good for you. Eliminating chips, cookies and other junk foods from the pantry is a great start, but you've got to replace them with something. Head off snack attacks by planning ahead and keeping ready-to-eat, healthy diet foods right at your fingertips. Peeled and sliced fruits and vegetables, salt-free nuts and other healthy alternatives stored in single-serving containers can go along way to making your family's healthy diet goals a reality.
On the Go - A great way to eliminate unhealthy eating when you are on the go is to bring your healthy diet food along for the ride. Keep your refrigerator stocked with a snack pack that you can grab on your way out the door. A small cooler filled with your family's favorite healthy snacks along with utensils, napkins and wet wipes will make convenience store and fast food stops unnecessary. For drinks, toss in some containers of 100% juice beverages or water bottles that have been stored in the freezer and you can keep everyone happy and healthy all day long.
Dining Out - Despite your best efforts, you are bound to find yourself eating out every now and then. But dining out doesn't have to be a healthy diet disaster. Log on to Healthy Dining Finder to search for restaurants in your area and see healthy picks from their menus. If you've got an iPhone, there's an app for that. VegOut lets you search for nearby veggie-friendly restaurants. Good Food Near You lets you peruse the choices of local eateries so you can make an informed choice before you walk in the door. And Nutrition Menu offers a comprehensive list of the nutritional information of popular restaurant foods. For more great healthy eating helpers, check out Fitness Magazine for a list of iPhone apps you shouldn't leave home without.
Email This
For families on the go, maintaining a healthy diet can be a struggle. With fast food joints on every corner and unhealthy snack foods so readily available, how can you make sure everyone eats right when time is tight? Making time to eat healthy while juggling work, school and all those extracurricular activities requires determination and some serious pre-planning. Here are some tips for busy families who want to eliminate junk food and maintain a healthy diet in the fast lane.
Freeze It - Freezing and canning may have fallen out of favor these days, but our grandmothers had the right idea. Preparing and freezing a week's worth of meals ahead of time takes some effort and planning, but is a sure-fire way to battle fast food temptations and maintain a healthy diet. Who wants a burger and fries when you've got a delicious, home-cooked meal waiting at home? Casseroles, soups, side dishes and meats can all be frozen and thawed for later use. For tips on making the most of your freezer, visit Food for my Family.
Fast Snacks - When you are in a hurry, it's often easier to grab an unhealthy snack than it is to prepare something that's actually good for you. Eliminating chips, cookies and other junk foods from the pantry is a great start, but you've got to replace them with something. Head off snack attacks by planning ahead and keeping ready-to-eat, healthy diet foods right at your fingertips. Peeled and sliced fruits and vegetables, salt-free nuts and other healthy alternatives stored in single-serving containers can go along way to making your family's healthy diet goals a reality.
On the Go - A great way to eliminate unhealthy eating when you are on the go is to bring your healthy diet food along for the ride. Keep your refrigerator stocked with a snack pack that you can grab on your way out the door. A small cooler filled with your family's favorite healthy snacks along with utensils, napkins and wet wipes will make convenience store and fast food stops unnecessary. For drinks, toss in some containers of 100% juice beverages or water bottles that have been stored in the freezer and you can keep everyone happy and healthy all day long.
Dining Out - Despite your best efforts, you are bound to find yourself eating out every now and then. But dining out doesn't have to be a healthy diet disaster. Log on to Healthy Dining Finder to search for restaurants in your area and see healthy picks from their menus. If you've got an iPhone, there's an app for that. VegOut lets you search for nearby veggie-friendly restaurants. Good Food Near You lets you peruse the choices of local eateries so you can make an informed choice before you walk in the door. And Nutrition Menu offers a comprehensive list of the nutritional information of popular restaurant foods. For more great healthy eating helpers, check out Fitness Magazine for a list of iPhone apps you shouldn't leave home without.