March is National Nutrition Month

Healthy Eating on the Run

By Aimee Slowik

Happy National Nutrition Month! We all know that being busy with late-night study sessions, early classes, back-to-back meetings, or a million other things that get thrown your way during the day can make healthy eating seem difficult. You don’t have to choose between eating healthy or being busy!

Eating healthy and making the right choices can be easily implemented into your daily routine to fuel your body. Preparing some quick, healthy snacks to have on hand are key for success. Snacks like single serving trail mix bags, greek yogurt, fruit, and protein bars are the best to throw in your bag and move on with the day. Having these things on hand prevents you from reaching for fast food or a vending machine snack that offers no nutritional benefit.

The dining hall may be your best friend on those busy days where you need a quick meal. Take advantage of the salad bar and load up on vegetables, grab a piece of fresh fruit, add some vegetables to your sandwiches, or pick a side salad instead of fries!

If the menu uses terms like “fried”, “battered”, or “crispy”, we know that means the food might be higher in saturated fat and calories. Go for things that use the term “baked” or “grilled” for a healthier option. Be okay with leftovers- package up whatever you don’t eat and bring it with you for a later meal can be a great way to practice portion control. Bringing a reusable water bottle with you to refill throughout the day is a great way to stay hydrated and reduce unnecessary cravings that may be caused by dehydration.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to plan your meals ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute when you are starving usually leads to unhealthy decisions for quick satisfaction. Planning ahead of time allows you to stay on track and feel satiated. Meal prepping can be an excellent tool to utilize in busier times of life. Try prepping one lean protein, two vegetables, and one carbohydrate source such as rice or sweet potatoes for the week to have quick meals to throw together with a fun sauce.

Even doing this for 2-3 meals per week can greatly benefit your health compared to eating out. It may feel like these small changes won’t be beneficial, but it is all about the small changes adding up. It is never about being perfect- just making smarter choices when available!