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healthy body

MEAL PREP

By Liz McGehee
Food is the body’s fuel. Yet many of us opt for convenience foods
over fruits and veggies. Preparing meals ahead of time is cost-effec-
tive, healthy and gives us the energy we need to succeed throughout
the day. But I don’t have time to meal prep!
According to an American Journal of Health Behavior study on
work hours and perceived barriers to healthful eating, lack of time is
the go-to excuse for lazy diet choices. While our demanding schedules
are more than just perception, that’s no excuse to ignore your health. Make a schedule. Pick a free day, like Sunday,
to shop and prep. Think about what you want to
eat the following week and write it down.

Salad hack. To keep ingre-
dients fresh and dry, pack your
salad in a jar. Start by adding
dressing to the bottom of the
jar. Follow with your heavier
ingredients. Place lettuce on
top to prevent soggy leaves.
Pour the contents into a large
bowl, or, if there is space in
the jar, just shake and eat
directly from the container.

HEALTHY

SNACKS

• Apples + peanut
butter
• Hummus + carrots
(and other crudites)
• Turkey + grapes
• Almonds + berries
• Edamame
• Hard-boiled eggs
Go shopping. Avoid impulse
buys, which are often unhealthy. • Tomatoes + olive oil +
Plan on three meals a day for feta cheese
seven days plus snacks. For lunch • Instant oatmeal
and dinner, you want to include Make your life easy. A
one lean or plant-based protein, crockpot is crucial on lazy days. • String cheese
one complex carb and one side of Just throw in your ingredients, • Granola bars
veggies. Oh, and don’t forget to turn the knob and go. When
buy lots and lots of Tupperware ! you get home from a long work • Turkey jerkey
®
day, a delicious healthy meal is
already there to greet you.
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12 INSPIRE HEALTHHEALTH 2018
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