Finding Time to Eat Well #WIAW

How do you pre-plan your meals when things start getting seriously busy? Like when you are going home in under 40 days and still have upteem papers you need to write and what feels like a million things to do in between.

I know it can be hard to eat well when life is busy & hectic – I’ve been there. And sometimes it just seems easier to order take-out, heat up a microwavable meal, eat cereal for dinner or order take-out because even though it’s not all that good for you, it’s quick. 

I think the number one reason people tell me they don’t eat better is because of time (and money but that’s for another post).

I just don’t have time to eat well. 

And I get it. I was there and lived in this state of mind for most of my life. I would often skip breakfast at home (because I was rushing out the door), grab something like a greasy muffin on my way to class/work and pick up something easy and quick for dinner – usually in the form of take-out, something pre-packaged and microwavable from the store or something I could make super quick on the stove – and it was most often something pre-packaged or canned. There was one point in my life where I depended on Lean Cuisines and Canned Chicken Noodle Soup as a staple because they required little thought and were quick and easy. I needed to eat as fast as possible to get onto the next thing on my to-do list.

The thought of eating well was something that never crossed my mind – I simply didn’t have the time.

And how did eating this way make me feel? I often walked around in a low-energy haze and eventually all the rushed, processed meals got to me. I not only got sick a lot but found myself losing my concentration and not performing as well as I could at work and school. Food tasted good in the moment but I never took the time to enjoy it. The quick and nutrient-less meals filled me up only to leave my feeling hungry half an hour later.

And I know, I know, during the week we simply don’t have time to sit down and enjoy a three course meal but this doesn’t meal there isn’t time to enjoy what’s on your plate and make sure what you’re putting in your mouth will leave you feeling and performing your best.

A bit of thought and preparation goes a loooooonnng way! I’ve come to making things in advance (like my lunches and breakfast oatmeal) and relying on a few enjoyable, quick and easily interchangeable dinners for a bit of variety. Leftovers are are a must during the week (it’s kind of like getting a two for one meal-deal). And I love to get/make some ‘fun’ snacks in advance to keep things interesting. 

So are you a Sunday-evening-make-everything-for-the-week kinda meal planner? 

Or a I’ll just grab something on the go depending on what I feel like kinda eater?

I think I lie somewhere in the middle.

And it’s all about finding a balance that works well for you. I still sometimes get take-out when life gets really busy and maybe have a cereal dinner about once a month (I’m only human), but relying on nutrient-rich foods that I truly enjoy throughout the day are what makes me feel my absolute best. #makingitwork.

When I find the time to eat well, I am happier, perform better at school and work, have heaps more energy and get sick a lot less.

And let’s be honest. When we eat well during the day, there is always time for a piece or two of dark chocolate at night. When in Rome, right? (Or in this case Belgium, ha!).

 What are some of your tips for eating well & quick during the week?