You Can Be Busy and Still Eat Right

You have probably figured out by now that I’m very passionate about eating right. I need to be. I am a naturopath whose medical practice is founded on the premise that the body is able to restore its own good health if it has the proper tools to do so. Among those tools are those nutrients that enable the body to self-heal.

Along with my passion for eating right is an equally strong passion for promoting good family nutrition. I routinely see first-time patients who are dealing with conditions that are either a direct result of poor nutrition or exacerbated thereby. So I spend a lot of time educating about what it means to eat right. One thing I have discovered over years of practice is that your family can be busy without sacrificing good eating habits.

Good family nutrition is all about taking advantage of the time you do have to make sure what you are eating is good food. This is possible even in an increasingly busy world pulling us in every direction. I know firsthand; I’m busy too.

Get to Know Your Crock-Pot

At nearly every wedding reception that takes place this summer, there will be a large box at the bottom of the stack of gifts containing a shiny new crock-pot. As quaint and antiquated as this gift may seem in the 21st century, the crock-pot represents one of the most essential kitchen tools for good family nutrition. It is amazing what you can do with this simple device.

A lot of families sacrifice good nutrition because they do not have time to cook. The crock-pot solves that problem. You can fill your crock-pot with a healthy dose of vegetables and the protein of your choice before you go to bed at night. Before you leave for work in the morning add some broth or sauce, turn the cock-pot on low, and off you go. Your meal will safely cook while you are at work. You will come home to some delicious food that is fresh, appetizing, and nutritionally valuable.

Learn How to Graze

The crock-pot is perfect for preparing evening meals with very little effort. In the summertime, though, you might not want something hot every night of the week. A great solution is grazing throughout the day before finishing in the evening with a salad or light sandwich.

Grazing on cheese blocks, fruits and veggies, and decently healthy snacks like nuts and pretzels will keep your body fueled throughout the day. An added benefit is that you will not necessarily feel extremely hungry at dinner time. Because you’re not famished, you can take 10 minutes to throw together a salad that will more than satisfy the family.

Breakfast on the Go

Yes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it makes up for 8 to 10 hours of your body receiving no fuel. Once again, being busy does not have to be an excuse for your breakfast consisting of nothing more than a cup of coffee and a multivitamin. There are lots of quick and easy things you can throw together and take with you out the door.

For example, how about a slice of toast with avocado on top? Toast takes 3 to 5 minutes to prepare, tops. Another good choice is a bagel slice topped with peanut butter and bananas. Kids love that one! The idea is to put together a high-energy breakfast that doesn’t require an hour of cooking and can be taken with you on your way out the door.