It can be a real challenge for busy people to eat healthy and nutritious meals which involve a lot of prep work.  There is just not enough time in the day for shopping, preparation, and cooking. This means that busy people often eat ready-made meals, which are high in fat, salt and sugar content and busy people eat out more often, especially at fast food establishments. This of course, means eating foods high in fat and calories and lacking in the nutrients the body needs.

It is possible, though, for very busy people to eat healthier. Eating healthy will actually make a person more productive at his work. So, healthy eating habits should be considered to part of a person’s work schedule.

What are 4 ways that very busy people can eat healthier?

Always have breakfast. This is often the most skipped meal in the day, but it is the most important meal. Skipping breakfast can lead to weight problems and diabetes.

What constitutes a great, healthy breakfast? Foods rich in fiber. Fiber rich foods make the feeling for being full last much longer, therefore reducing the tendency to snack. Foods like whole oats oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruits, and vegetables. Protein from eggs is also a great way to nutrify the body in the morning.   Breakfast smoothies are also quick, nutritious and can be packed with plant protein!

Plan ahead.  As a busy person, you will be used to planning in advance to get things done. You would never think about going into an important meeting without planning. Eating healthy requires the same planning.

Weekends are a good time for planning, especially if you like to cook at home.  Take a few hours on one weekend day to shop and prepare your food.  Shop for whole grains, fresh produce, and lean fresh meats. Precut all your veggies and have them in plastic containers in the refrigerator.  Then when you go to make a meal you can just pull out a cup of what you need.   Plan simple.   Plan meals that can go in a crockpot or pressure cooker.   Make extra so you can have leftovers or use a food in another way in another meal.

Keep hydrated. A healthy body requires fluid. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you if your place of work doesn’t have a water cooler. Drink water frequently during the day. Don’t overdo the coffee intake. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and remember that fruit juices are often high in sugars and low in fiber.

Eat healthy at restaurants. When at restaurants choose the healthy options. Many menus now have the calorie total for each meal and this can be a good guide. If there are no calorie guides then stick to this rule of thumb: meats should be grilled, potatoes boiled or mashed and vegetables steamed. Soups are good for entrees and for deserts choose fruits.
Be careful with alcohol. Many use alcohol to wind down after work and it is tempting to join with work colleagues after work. While an occasional glass of wine won’t do any harm (and some studies even show that there are health benefits), you need to remember that alcohol is just empty calories. The over consumption of alcohol can also have a negative impact on health in general.

Even though you have a very hectic and busy work schedule, it doesn’t mean that your health has to suffer. The 4 top tips for a healthier lifestyle here are very easy to implement. It just takes a bit of forethought and planning. Taking care of your health will result in a more productive day’s work and a longer life!