“How can I eat healthy with a busy job?” Eating healthy can be challenging, especially if you are a busy working professional always on the go. However, you need to maintain a balanced diet in order to fuel your body and stay energized throughout the day. In this article, we’ll explore 7 easy and practical ways to eat healthy as a busy working professional.
1. Plan your meals and snacks in advance
This might sound cliché but it works. It is one of the best ways you can eat healthy as a busy professional, especially if you have children. Taking the time to plan out your meals for the week can help ensure that you have healthy options on hand when you’re busy. For example, if you know you’ll be working late on Wednesday, you can plan to have a healthy, easy-to-make dinner like a noodles with vegetable stir-fry.
2. Keep healthy snacks at work
Keep a stash of healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, or nuts, at your office so you can grab something to eat when you’re feeling hungry. For example, keep some roasted groundnut in your bag or a bowl of fresh cut mango or papaya on your desk. If you have the time to go on break, you can grab roasted ripe plantain, it really keeps you going for the rest of the day! (If you are worried about peanut in your breath, have some water and a minty gum or toffee to clear it off!)
3. Cook in bulk
Another cliché but it works! Cooking in bulk can save you precious time thinking of “what will I eat” after a busy Tuesday at work! You certainly don’t have the energy to channel into this thought when all you want to do is eat, wash down, spend some minutes with the family and go to bed. Besides, cooking in bulk makes it 10x easier to eat healthy. Make a big batch of soup or stew on the weekend, and then freeze the leftovers for easy meals during the week. For example, you can make a pot of okra soup and “kontomire” stew and freeze them for the week.
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4. Use leftovers
Cook extra food when you’re making dinner, so you can use the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. This is great for meals you might not want to store in your freezer for a long period of time. For example, if you make a big pot of jollof rice, you can have it for lunch or dinner the next day.
5. Keep it simple
Simple recipes with a few ingredients can be quick and easy to make, and they’re often healthier than more complex recipes. You can make a simple yet healthy meal of tomato sauce and “angwa moo” – braised rice. You can definitely keep some for the next day in your refrigerator. This is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy as a busy professional or worker.
6. Make healthy swaps
Alas! A third cliché which without doubt, works as well! Instead of reaching for processed foods or fast food (which might also be expensive), try making healthier swaps. For example, you can go in for biscuits with low sugar and high fibre instead of the sugary ones. You can also opt for wheat bread, fruit bread while sparingly mixing it with white or sugar bread.
7. Drink enough water
Staying hydrated is important for overall health and can also help you feel full and less likely to snack on unhealthy foods. Aim to drink at about 5 to 8 glasses of water a day, and try to avoid sugary drinks, instead opt for traditional African drinks like “sobolo” – hibiscus tea or “asaana” – malted corn drink. Coconut water is also a great option.
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To wrap it up,
Eating healthy is essential for you if you are a busy working professional; it helps you to maintain energy levels and a healthy body. The key is to make it simple and easy to integrate into your daily routine. By following the 7 easy ways provided in this article, you can make eating healthy a part of your daily life. From meal planning and keeping healthy snacks on hand, to quick and simple recipes and staying hydrated, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing your busy schedule. Remember that small changes can make a big difference. Start by incorporating one or two tips at a time, and gradually make more changes as you become comfortable with the new routine.
