 Even when things get hectic, figure out ways
to eat healthy
Although my own daughter is now grown, I still remember that hectic switch from summer relaxation to busy school year. Oftentimes, when schedules get crazy, one of the first things to go is healthy eating.
Coming soon are the nights of trying to get dinner done and cleaned up in time for homework and various extra curricular activities. All of a sudden, picking up dinner from a drive-through window has quite a bit more appeal.
One option is to feed the family fast food while you feast on a low-calorie frozen dinner. There may be times when this is your only option, but it is always preferable to have the whole family eating a healthy dinner. To do this, try to plan ahead. Cook on the weekend and plan for leftovers during the week. Pita bread makes yummy tacos with any leftover meat. When making a casserole-type dish, double it, freeze the rest and serve it up again two or three weeks later. Meatloaf also reheats quite well. Cook up a large pot of potatoes, mash them all at once and then freeze in amounts needed for a dinner. Five minutes in the microwave along with some frozen veggies and you'll have your side dishes all done.
If your only option is fast food, stick to the better choices, such as sub sandwiches on whole wheat and non-fried chicken sandwiches. Do a little research and see who has some healthy options on their menu. Why not skip the fries and serve up some fruit with those burgers at home?
Then there are those days when you spend the whole afternoon (and most of the evening) shuttling kids to and fro. The next thing you know, you haven't eaten in hours and you start stuffing yourself with whatever is at hand. Keep a stock of healthy snack bars in the car to take the edge off when needed. If you can plan a bit ahead, pack a cooler with fruit or veggies.
You might also find yourself stockpiling snacks for the kids' lunches. Go for the healthier choices, this will remove some of the temptation and limit the damage should you decide to indulge. For at-home snacks, keep fresh fruit available.
Remember, it's not a diet; it's adopting a healthy lifestyle. If you keep this attitude, your food habits will naturally flow through to your kids. Can you think of a better gift to give them?
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