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Five Tips for
Eating Healthy at Home
with Minimal Effort
From the Team Beachbody Club - Join Today and Workout to
Win!
There are those who can come
home after a long day's work and somehow whip up a healthy full-course meal.
Then there are the rest of us who barely have enough energy to crack open a
fresh tube of Pringles before parking our rear on the couch for the night.
Clearly, it would do your body good to be among those who can prepare a
nutritious dinner seven nights a week. Chances are, however, you're not one of
them. The fact is, most hardworking folks just don't have the time, patience,
or desire to start chopping vegetables, marinating meat, and stirring something
every three minutes after dragging themselves through the front door each
evening.
Let's face it, you're tired,
you're hungry, and you want instant gratification. Unfortunately, that means
you'll most likely end up stuffing something into your mouth that came directly
out of a can, bag, box, jar, or wrapper. And last I checked, there were no
broccoli-filled Ring Dings or Tofu Tostitos at the local supermarket. So what's
a person to do who wants something quick and nutritious to eat at the end of
the day?
1. Ditch the Frozen
Dinners. Repeat after me, SO-Dee-UM. Yes, your body needs it, but it
doesn't need enough to fill Shamu's tank at SeaWorld. These fast and easy meals
may be low in fat (and even have the word "healthy" in the title), but the fact
is, they're packed with salt, and that's not a good thing if you're trying to
lower your weight and blood pressure.
Healthy
Option. More and more supermarkets and health food stores are
offering freshly cooked, prepared meals. Just heat 'em and eat 'em. They may
cost a little more than the frozen meals, but in the long run you'll be saving
a whole lot more than a few bucks.
2. Avoid Anything That Has
the Word "Dog" in It. You're barking up the wrong tree with these
sodium-laced, pork products. First off, they're loaded with fat, salt, and
byproducts. And if you're not quite sure what byproducts are, let's just say
they're the parts of the animal that don't present themselves well on a label.
So whether it's got the word "hot," "corn," or "chili" before it, these dogs
are all better left outside the house.
Healthy
Option. If you crave meat and haven't used your oven since 1987,
try tossing some tuna over a bed of spinach and some tomatoes. True, it may not
be as fun to eat as a hot dog, but it's a whole lot healthier and lower in fat.
Plus, you can be 100% sure you're not eating pig testicles.
3. Pass on the Processed
Meat. Throw in the white bread and mayo and you've got the perfect trifecta
for a classic favorite that's got about as much nutritional value as the fender
of a Buick. While I realize it's tough to beat a bologna sandwich for speed,
simplicity, and taste, it really offers very little in terms of important
nutrients. Of course, you will get your share of empty carbs, calories, and
belly-bloating salt.
Healthy
Option. Fresh turkey (not processed) on whole wheat bread with
mustard, lettuce, and a few slices of avocado if you feel like going nuts. This
sandwich option is much healthier, lower in fat, and just as easy to slap
together. (Keep in mind, using lettuce and an avocado may add up to 90 seconds
of preparation time).
4. Can the Canned Foods.
Did you hear the one about the bachelor who starved to death because he lost
his can opener? If only someone had told him about the crisper in the
refrigerator. Sure, in the event of a major catastrophe, it would behoove you
to have some canned goods to get you through the fallout. However, if you're
more concerned about living for the day than preparing for Armageddon, you may
want to consider replacing those soggy canned veggies with some fresh ones that
were actually grown during the new millennium.
Healthy Option.
Anything "NATURAL." Of course, this refers to food items, and not
things like coal or rawhide. Fresh fruits and vegetables are what you should
have in mind. What's so great about this option is that the choices are
plentiful, tasty, and still have all the vitamins and minerals they were given
by Mother Nature. Just check out the produce section of your local market and
you're sure to find something you like. And if you need a little something
extra for your taste buds, try slapping a bit of natural peanut butter on
it.
5. Nix the Chips. True,
most wouldn't consider chips a dinner item, but for those lazy and ravenous
single folks like myself, they definitely constitute a side dish. Unfortunately
these tempting treats are cooked in hot fat and doused with salt. The problem
is you can never eat just one, and that's bad news for your thighs and
waistline.
Healthy
Option. This is a relatively easy and pain-free fix. Just replace
your fried chips with baked chips (corn or potato). They taste just as good.
The bag is just as easy to open. And you can eat more than just one without the
guilt. (If you're lost without the dip, just replace the fat-laden ranch
dressing or canned bean concoctions for a hearty helping of salsa.) |
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