Do you want to keep eating healthy foods and stop falling into the habit of grabbing junk foods instead?

Then you must prepare for the inevitable ‘hunger monster’ that rears it’s ugly head throughout your day. If you do not have a healthy food choice available, that monster will cause you to gobble whatever is quickest and most convenient! You must have food pre-made at home and some healthy snacks with you when you’re out and about.

Here are some things I do that save my butt! (From getting Bigger!!!)

  • Have a list of easy and quick meal ideas and keep the ingredients for them stocked so I can make something in a hurry when I don’t have something prepared.
  • I try to avoid the previous tip by having foods prepared ahead. I like to make multiple things at one time for the next few days that will last in the fridge or can be frozen. For instance, I am currently eating mostly gluten-free, vegan whole foods and lots of veggies and fruit, especially raw, so this morning I put 3 pots on the stove for quinoa, buckwheat and lentils. I put some of each in small containers in the freezer to pull out and add quick to stir-fries or salads. The rest I keep in the fridge for the next few days. While they were cooking, I made a jug of green smoothie in the blender and some healthy dessert for later.
  • The one food group that is too often neglected is veggies. I think they are best eaten raw so my favourite way to prepare them is in yummy salads that last in the fridge for a few days. I make a few of them at a time for a variety. I have an e-book called Raw Make Ahead Salads with 85 different salad recipes available to give you some ideas if you like. I also like to buy a large container of mixed greens, then take a bunch of individual salad sized containers and make up pre-made salads to go like they do at the grocery store. Throw some greens on the bottom, then some shredded or sliced veggies or fruits, chicken, salmon, egg, tofu, nuts or seeds, etc. then all I have to do it grab a container of dressing and away I go!
  • Have cut veggies and healthy dips like hummus on hand. For fun, try slicing beets, daikon radish, fat carrots, etc. thinly on a mandoline slicer for veggie ‘chips’.
  • Steam or roast large amounts of veggies so they’re ready to eat plain, with a healthy sauce or oil and seasoning. Lately I am addicted to steamed green beans! They are so yummy and sweet when they’re fresh!
  • Bring a lunch pack of food with you when you go out or at least have some healthy protein bars or trail mix in your purse, pocket or glove compartment to tide you over until you can get home.
  • Have a container of protein shake mix, shaker bottle and water in your car or office desk. Protein shakes or blended smoothies are awesome quick foods to mix up and take with you when you’re running late!
  • Be aware of different restaurants in the area you are in  that offer healthy choices on their menu.
  • Have healthy snack alternatives ready for late night movies or game time with family or friends. Night-time munching is one of the downfalls in our family!
  • VERY IMPORTANT!!! Don’t let yourself get too hungry in the first place! Plan to have a meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours to keep your blood sugar regular. Try to have some fruit or veggies, protein, healthy carbs and good fats in every meal or snack.

Here is a picture from a crazy cook-a-thon I did a few weeks ago: Eggplant ‘pizzas’ with goat cheese, 3 flavours of tofu, 3 kinds of salad, roasted beets and yam fries, boiled eggs, quinoa, brown rice, mango salsa, green smoothie and ants on a log celery snacks! Whew!

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