I get it. We are all super busy people.
From the moment our alarm sounds off (minus the several rounds of snooze), we are up and at ‘em: off to meetings, checking errands off our lists, working on deadlines, chugging some coffee in between activities, exercising, trying to get in some quality time with friends and family, and at some point squeezing in a little self care.
For me personally, even though I’m SUPER busy as a blogger, Instagrammer and lots more, I find that I usually am able to check off most boxes: fitness, work, hangin’ with my cute doggy, meeting up with friends, getting enough sleep, etc. But the one area that I falter in is food.
I love to eat, but I don’t love to cook, and since I’m usually running around New York City all day, I tend to grab things as I’m out and about without much thought. Which usually means I’m not always making the healthiest choices, and I’m spending a pretty penny.
So in the spirit of the New Year, and in the spirit of my resolution to eat better and to also eat out less…
here are a few easy and healthy food hacks for each meal for all you busy people out there!
Breakfast: Overnight Oats
Why I love ‘em: you can make them the night before, then grab ‘em as you run out the door, and eat them on the way to wherever you gotta go! Healthy, filling, delicious and fully customizable with the toppings you put on.
Snack 1: Banana and Peanut Butter
Why I love it: bananas are one of the easiest things to throw in your bag when heading out, but usually, I find I need a little more to hold me over till lunch. Get a single serving peanut butter (or almond butter!) packet that you can tear open sans-mess and squeeze onto each bite of banana.
Lunch: Sweetgreen
Why I love it: Alright, I know. Eating Sweetgreen means eating out, and I said I was cutting back on that. But with my busy lifestyle, sometimes making lunch at home just isn’t an option. My favorite healthy spot here in NYC is Sweetgreen. They have a ton of different options when it comes to choosing a salad, and they are all so tasty! You really can’t go wrong here. And the rest of the city agrees—there is usually a line out the door at most locations during lunch time.
Now, I know it’s hard to believe for those of us that live in NYC, but not everyone is close enough to Sweetgreen to make it their lunch go-to. Fortunately, Sweetgreen-style fast-casual places have been sprouting almost everywhere in the country. Just hit “salads” on your favorite dining app or website and look at all the choices, then try them until you find your own Sweetgreen.
Snack 2: ONE Bar
(Bonus if it’s the Almond Bliss flavor, my fave!)
Why I love it: ONE Bars are the epitome of the perfect on-the-go snack. It’s high in protein (20g!), low in sugar and absolutely delicious. I usually love to have one around 3pm along with a latte as a mid-afternoon pick me up. My other favorite flavors are Maple Glazed Doughnut and Cookie Dough Chocolate Chunk.
Dinner: Anything involving a crockpot
Why I love it: The last thing that I want to do when I come home from a long day is stand in my kitchen for an hour or more prepping dinner. I just don’t have the energy to do it. Instead, the day before (usually a weekend), I’ll choose a recipe to make in crockpot, throw all the ingredients together and let it slow cook for several hours. I end up only doing one round of prep that ends up lasting me at least three meals. Badda-bing, badda-boom!
And that’s it, folks! Some healthy, yet easy options for you to start strong in 2019.
