Nutrition on the Go!

It seems like I am on the go all the time!  It's hard enough to get all of my water in for the day, especially with this heat wave we seem to be having lately!  I always take my stainless steel water bottle with me. When I forget my healthy snacks though, my body really feels it and I get tired so quickly!  Here are some quick tips to making sure we keep fueled up with nutritious stuff when we are on the go.  It also helps prevent those pesky little trips to drive thrus or picking up snacks at stores that are no so high on nutritional value. 

1)  Pack your bag!
Whether you are bringing a lunch somewhere or just running a few errands, pack some healthy snacks with you, even if you think you will not be gone for too long.  You know that "quick trip" to the store where you got distracted by something & just had to keep browsing and then got a whole new project stuck in your head you wanted to do?  Yeah, me either (wink, wink!).  If you know you'll be needing a lunch, pack it the night before.  Some go to snacks I take with me:  almonds, dried fruit, protein bars, granola bars, and apples.  I also have a basket in my kitchen with ready to go snacks to just grab & put in my purse.  It's also got the ready to go snacks for my kids too.

2)  Pick one day a week to do your snack prep.
Yes, there are many healthy snacks in ready to go packages you can easily grab out of your pantry. If you want to shave even more time off though, try sticking a few of the packaged snacks you buy in your snack basket and place the basket on your counter.  That way you can just grab & go when in a hurry.  If you already have a meal prep day in your schedule where you chop veggies, plan meals for the week, etc. try prepping snacks too.  Or, if you don't have a meal prep day yet (we'll get to that in another post!), try easing yourself into a prep routine by prepping your snack basket once a week.  You can do things like package nuts and dried fruits in baggies, wash fruit, take packaged items out of the big box and place in the basket.  You can even prep and designate a spot in your fridge for quick snack items like bags of grapes, string cheese, baby carrots, etc.

3)  Have some back up snacks - you will use them!
Try to keep some back up healthy snacks in your purse/bag, kids bags and the car.  These are in addition to your daily snacks.  These need to be things that will last a while.  I reserve some of the pre-packaged items like whole grain crackers, Annie's Homegrown snacks, and dried fruit for our back up snacks. 

4)  Have some back up places & choices ready when out & about. 
Finally, there will be those times where you have to stop somewhere to grab a quick bite or snack.  It is important to know ahead of time where your local healthy places are, or to pre-select healthy options so you can plan for success.  For example, I sometimes meet friends at Starbuck's.  I know that their oatmeal is a great option (without the brown sugar packet), and I also only opt for the soy latte as my non-dairy drink of choice.  Or, even better, get a green tea or bottled water.  Also, get to know the health food places in your area.  Even markets like Whole Foods, Lassen's, Sprouts and Trader Joe's can be quick places to grab a snack.

I also love To The Max Nutrition on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
"To The Max Nutrition is a full service Nutrition Club. We offer free wellness consulting, weight loss coaching, sports nutrition, Healthy Body Challenge classes, and Free Fit Club. We also offer our Healthy Meal - which consists of a 2 ounce glass of aloe, a 16 ounce glass of our energy tea, and a 16 ounce healthy smoothie. You will leave feeling energetic, pleasantly full and loaded with great nutrition!"
If you have little ones like me and don't want to unload everyone out of the car,  feel free to call in your order ahead of time (805)497-9652, just pull up your car & they can bring your order out to you! 

*As a special treat to my Neat Doctor followers, print out this page, present it to To The Max, mention Gigi Dictor, who is a Wellness Coach there, and referral by Karen Gauthier, and you can get 1 free smoothie meal! (New Customers Only) 

Ultimately, it comes down to setting yourself up for success.  You can do it!