Nutriton - Making The Time

What did you eat today? Perhaps you had a particularly busy day, and some fast food was the only option. Or worse yet you missed a meal altogether. Its a fact that proper nutrition comes down to making time to eat well. Some days it can seem just about impossible to find the time to eat right. We all feel this way from time to time. Don't give up just yet with a little preparation avoiding missed meals and other nutritional pitfalls becomes easy.

Understanding we are all busy, with as little as half an hour, all the preparation for the following days meals can be done. For example, grocery stores sell prepackaged salads that are a healthy and quick nutritional alternative to fast food. Carbohydrates such as brown rice, yams or sweet potatoes can be cooked in advance as they store easily. Just cook a large batch and store it in a Tupperware container. When its time to make your meals portion it out and keep the rest for the next day. For example mix a little mayonnaise with some tuna, add salad and rice, and bingo! One quick, and nutritious meal. Now not every one likes or can eat tuna, but with a little imagination or different flavoring and type of protein can be used.

Dr. Atkins diet is a wonderful way to lose or maintain weight, unfortunately meat doesn't keep well over the long term. Check your cooking guide for specific instructions.) So cooking large volumes of meat in advance is not practical. Knowing this how does one stick to the Atkins diet without getting food poisoning, and still have a social life? One of my favorite techniques is to cube or slice a lean roast as this allow it to cook faster. Add sauce as if you were cooking a stir-fry, a little brown rice(cooked in advance), some prepackaged lettuce. Done! Another quick, nutritious alternative to eating on the run. Just as a suggestion no fat Italian dressing and Montreal steak spice taste great with anything. Both are available at Safeway.

That's all well and nice you say, I still don't have time to cook all this food. Ask yourself how much time is spent watching television each night. Then ask yourself how much time you spend watching commercials. Why not start your cooking before your favorite show, then monitor it during the commercial breaks. When the evenings entertainment is over simply measure the proper nutritional portions into some Tupperware. Some people I have talked to liked to prepare their meals in the morning, rising an hour earlier to get everything cooked for the day. Protein supplements are also popular for because they can be prepared quickly and almost anywhere. However not everyone likes the added expense, or is tolerant of whey powder. If you work in an office environment and have access to a microwave, use it to prepare food on your lunch break. Potatoes, oatmeal etc. all can be quickly prepared in a microwave and pack a nutritional punch. There are a many alternatives its just a matter of finding a solution that fits your schedule.

Remember, the only difference between you and the fit people you see around, is time and effort and making time for your nutritional plan.

Rick Northrop
PPG Calgary ARG
Phone (403) 720-4817