For most people, hitting the gym is not the difficult part of a healthy lifestyle—proper nutrition is. Eating whole foods is not always easy considering the hecticness of everyday life and the accessibility of junk food. What I have found to be the single most effective way to stay on track with my nutrition throughout the entire week is to make healthy food options convenient by always being prepared. By thinking ahead, you will set yourself up for success. Here are some life hacks that allow my nutrition game to stay strong all week long:
Meal Prep.
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again—meal prep is key to nutritional success. In blog post, I talk about all the health benefits of meal prepping. Every Sunday I fully prepare my breakfasts and lunches for the work week. This way, I start each day strong and know that at the very least I’m fueling my body with nutritious meals the first half of the day.
Grocery Shop on the Weekend.
Having a fully stocked kitchen is one of the most important factors in whether or not you consume a healthy diet. If you don’t have food in the house, it’s hard to cook for yourself. If you can’t cook for yourself, it’s hard to eat healthy. Designate an hour of your weekend to hit the grocery store and stock up on fresh produce for the week. Make a routine out of it!
Pack the Night Before.
Every night before I go to bed, I pack my lunch box in the refrigerator. This way, in the morning, I can grab it and I’m out the door with no thoughts or worries about how I’m going to fuel my body for the day because I’ve already got it all ready to go. Packing in advance also diminishes the chances that I forget part of my meal in the back of the refrigerator.
Cut Up Produce in Advance.
In addition to meal prepping on Sunday, I also cut up my produce so that it’s easily accessible and ready to throw in the oven for dinner. I save so much time each night by already having my vegetables prepared. I wash, peel, and slice vegetables like carrots, brussel sprouts, and broccoli. I even spiralize zucchini to make zoodles. When dinner time rolls around, sometimes we just don’t have the energy or time to spend preparing our food, so this convenient tip has been life-changing for me.
Convenience often determines our diets so set yourself up for success. Plan ahead. Make eating healthy convenient for you. I hope that these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me.
Mandi.