Hamburger, french fries, and a large soda? Or, a leafy green salad with a vinaigrette dressing on the side, grilled chicken breasts, and a water? Candy bar or apple? Potato chips or raw almonds?
Sometimes it seems like the choice is just too hard to make. And sometimes we feel pressed for time, and tell ourselves that the "fattier" snack/meal is faster and more convenient. This is a myth folks! A big fat myth! Granted, there are meals that take a bit more in preparation, but not everything healthy takes a year and a day to prepare. And another myth: "Healthy food tastes like cardboard." Again folks, it is all in how it is prepared. You will be surprised how tasty healthy options are. And then, sometimes we just don't know what to choose as a healthy options.
I want to share with you some "go-to" healthy snacks, and some healthier meal options. I want to show those of you who aren't sure of what to pick when looking for healthy food options, that it doesn't have to complicated and flavorless.
Some of my favorite go-to snacks are raw almonds (Blue Diamond is the brand I choose), sliced apple with all-natural peanut butter (make sure your peanut butter doesn't contain any hydrogenated oils...partially or fully hydrogenated), cheese, grapes, strawberries, whole wheat crackers (again read the label and make sure no hydrogenated oils have made the ingredients list), granola bars (make sure they are made with natural ingredients...I like Nature's Valley, Kashi, and Cliff Bar brands) and celery sticks with all-natural peanut butter. These are all quick, healthy snack options that are packed full of flavor. If you are on the go a lot, then make little snack bags (of a serving size) of your snack choice, and throw it in your bag or car so that you will always have a healthy snack on hand. Also, when you are sending your kids' snacks with them to school (notice I didn't say sending snack money), these are all great options. And please, please, please don't send juice with your kids to go along with their snack. (I could do a whole blog post dedicated to kids' snacks and lunches.) A 4 oz. serving of 100% pure fruit is about all a kid needs per day, as far as juice drinking goes. Instead of sending that sugary juice, pack water. And I don't want to hear that your kid doesn't like water. If your child is truly thirsty, then he/she will drink the water. My daughter hears that a lot in our house.
As far as healthy meal options go, choose to bake instead of fry. If you have a grill, utilize it. A steamer is a great investment to have. I use my steamer a lot to steam veggies, and I have used it to steam chicken as well. One healthy quick lunch that can be done in the steamer is boneless, skinless (yep that skin has got to go) chicken breasts, squash, and zucchini. Quick, easy, and delicious! Also, start using olive oil or coconut oil to cook with, instead of vegetable oil or canola oil. Start using all natural or organic ingredients, and food products. You can still find deals on these items. If the cost of organic is still out of your budget for now, at least choose one food item that you will buy organic (milk is what I would push for). Ok, I am seeing that I am getting on a tangent here, so back to healthy meal options. Buy magazines, go online, ask friends for healthy recipes. If your family is picky when it comes to veggies, then look for recipes (healthy ones) that might add a bit more flavor than usual. HeavenlyHomemaker.com and feedingmytemple.com are two great online resources for meal ideas. Stay away from recipes that have the words "smothered" or "covered."
Really, I could go on and on, but I feel that this post is becoming more of a novel that a blog post. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I will be happy to help you in any way I can. Remember folks, eating healthy doesn't have to complicated or boring. Happy healthy eating!
