I get it. You’re trying to fit it all in. You’ve got family and functions, work and school, love and a load of laundry. It’s more to do than you can really get done, and something’s got to give. So, you grab a pop tart for breakfast, throw an energy bar in your bag for a snack, hit the drive-through for lunch, put the frozen meal into the microwave for dinner, and grab commercially prepared cookies for dessert. It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s convenient, but—it’s killing you. Let’s break it down…
Pop Tart: That “fruit” filled pop tart is quickly filling you up with sugar and preservatives. Good Morning, High Fructose Corn Syrup. When’s the last time you went berry picking and found an artificial fruit (I mean, really–What even is an “artificial blueberry”?)?!? Sounds like a frankenfood to me. My top pick for a quick, easy and healthy breakfast is Vans Waffles.
Energy Bar: While it may give you a quick jolt of energy, in the long run, most energy bars are really energy zappers. Those Power Bars are not as powerful as you might think. One of the most common energy bar ingredients–protein isolates–sounds like it could be healthy, but it’s really not. Many times, this is a genetically modified ingredient that is extracted from soy or whey using a potentially cancer causing chemical called hexane. In addition, energy bars often contain a lot of sugar (in various forms). Sugar will give you a false sense of energy that is quickly replaced by cloudy fatigue. Instead, check out Larabars. These awesome little bars are packed with nutrients and totally unprocessed ingredients.
Fast Food: You’ve got to know by now that going to a drive through is about as safe as a drive-by. Your lunch at establishments such as Burger King, McDonald’s or Wendy’s will cost you on average 1,100 calories. This is almost as many calories as many people should eat for the entire day. Instead of the typical chains, try Saladworks. You can create your own super healthy lunch concoction.
Frozen Dinners: It really is important to eat those veggies! Most frozen dinners are heavy on the sodium and light on the vegetables. So while frozen dinners (like a lot of the ones created by Amy’s Kitchen) can be fabulous, you’ve got to be savvy consumer.
Commercially Prepared Desserts: While I’m never a fan of sugar, it’s totally possible to enjoy deliciously healthy desserts. Baking your own desserts, in your own kitchen is the best way to manage quality control. It’s nearly impossible to find cakes or cookies that aren’t teeming with processed ingredients and refined sugar. So, when you don’t have the time, energy or desire to bake, I’ve got a suggestion. While still high in calories, most of the Nana’s Brand of cookies are free from processed ingredients, have no refined sugar, and are a better bet.
In the flurry of activity, you and your health get shoved on the back burner. I know it, and you know it. Deep down, you know that the food you are eating and feeding your family is quick but not good. You know that fast food is fast making you fat, fatigued and full of disease. You know that the cost of today’s convenience is tomorrow’s health challenge. Life, health, and energy are all impacted by what the food you put into your body. So, let’s do it. Let’s change your life by changing your meals. It’s time to turn your convenient choices into healthy choices.
