Fast Food - The next time a fast food commercial comes on tv, what are they selling you? It isn't food. It is either "cheap" or "convenient." The new KFC commercial is an advertisement of their drive-thru! But what does that quick and cheap temptation get you? It might taste good or be filling, but fast food is loading with fat, salt, processed foods and low in nutrition.
What if there was a way you could eat healthy and have cheap/convenient meals?
That is where eating smart is the key:
1. Stock up on healthy foods and key ingredients. What are your families favorite meals? Pick 2 or 3 healthy meals that your family likes and always make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. For example, if you always have pasta, canned diced tomatoes and italian seasoning, you have the base ingredients to make spaghetti! Next time you get home and everyone is hungry and you don't want to wait to eat, cook your pasta and heat the cans of diced tomatoes with italian seasoning for the sauce. Have any onions, mushrooms, ground turkey or other veggies? Add those to your sauce!
2. Moderation. Always remember moderation in all things. Treat yourself to pizza or chocolate, but not everyday and don't eat the whole pizza or the whole candy bar. Also, too much fruit is too much sugar. Do you only eat spinach or do you try other green leafy vegetables? Do you only eat the tops of the broccoli. What colors are on your plate?
3. Activity. When you are active, your body naturally desires healthy foods, especially water. Unhealthy foods will also not taste quite as good after a nice long walk in the woods as a salad would. Try to park as far away from the grocery store door as you can and enjoy the extra walking. Spring is coming so what can you add to your daily routines to get active?
4. Real foods. When you are shopping and reading labels, do you notice how many foods in your cart don't have a label? Apples, lettuce and other real foods don't need man's label on them because they come from the earth. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The more you buy from the center aisles, the more processed and preservatives you are eating.
5. Time. Take the time to research what foods have the most fiber. Which grocery stores have the best sales and best selections. Take notes in a health class! Make a meal plan. Talk to your family about good foods. Start a little garden. The more time you take, the more time you will have in a healthy body!
Eating smart means being prepared. Do you own a crockpot and know how to use it? This is an excellent tool for money-saving, time-saving healthy recipes like jambalaya, old fashioned oatmeal or pot roast. I also have a healthier alternative to Kraft Mac N Cheese that takes the same amount of time to make and only costs about a $1 more!
Eating healthy means eating smart. Email myhealthyhelper@gmail.com for more information or to request your copy of my cookbook!
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