Eating on the Run

Is it actually possible in this day and age to eat a healthy meal when you are on the run?

When working with my virtual clients out of state, some of the biggest hurdles are trying to navigate this very thing - especially when you're working from the road in remote areas. I will literally get a message from my client telling me that the choices for dinner tonight are Arby's or Taco Bell. Yikes.

I've lived that life before and it is probably some of the hardest things you can do occupationally. I would have my stash of NutriSystem in my car for my basic meals and then supplement those meals with whatever fruits I could get from the continental breakfast at the hotel. Sometimes, I'd luck out and be able to score an extra small salad from the hotel buffet as well to keep for the next day. As perfect as that sounds, I still gained 60 pounds in just 3 months of working on the road because it was easier to just order Chinese down the street with my per diem instead of thinking about it.

Here's something else to consider - being someone that doesn't cook for themselves has a lot of the same hurdles as eating on the run does.

Here are some reasons why:

1. The choice of food you have to put into your body may not be aligned with your goals.

2. Portions are harder to control.

3. Most on-the-go foods are calorie dense.

4. Cost of convenience always comes at a premium.

Here's what you can do to help yourself:

1. Educate yourself about what flexible nutrition is so you actually know what you need to fuel your daily activity. Download my Guide to Eating in Moderation to get started.

2. Look up the nutritional information of the meals prior to see what would best fit your goals. Nowadays, everything is on the internet - just gotta ask the Google.

3. Be realistic about how much food you need to be full. Consider ordering smaller portions like an appetizer for your meal or sharing with a coworker if it's something you might want to indulge in a little.

4. Pack a snack pack that includes a couple sources of high protein foods like greek yogurt or beef jerky, some fruit or veggies just in case your schedule gets thrown off and you might have to wait a little longer to your next meal. This will help stave off the stress and emotional aspect of eating when you finally get the opportunity.

5. Drink more water. Water plays such an important part in our lives and goes way beyond staying hydrated. Read more about it here.