Unless you truly enjoy the culinary arts, prepping for and cooking meals is often a long and daunting process. With busy schedules and hectic lives, any solution that makes meal preparation less time consuming will reduce stress and help to ensure you eat healthy, home-cooked meals as often as possible. The following from Pure Wow provides you with “23 Food Hacks That Will Change Your Entire Life.” Check it out and bon appetit!
A great way to give kids (and yourself) a healthy treat is to prepare a delicious smoothie. Simple to make, satisfying on a hot summer day, and filled with a tasty mix of healthy ingredients – these frosty drinks pack a punch! Check out the following yummy smoothie recipes from Parenting that will leave your kids asking for more!
Parenting: Best Summer Smoothies for Kids
Nothing says summer like food straight from the grill! Barbequing can be a healthy way to prepare food, however, many precautions need to be taken. Check it out this great infographic from Allstate Insurance that will help you safely enjoy your barbeque all summer long.
Summer has officially begun and fresh fruits and vegetables are a plenty. Why not join the “eat local” food movement! A great way to spend a summer day is to visit a local farm or farmers market and take in some of the healthy fresh items the season has to offer. Check out the following links to help you find local farms and farmer’s markets in Ontario’s.
Should tomatoes go in the fridge or stay on the counter? What about pears and watermelon? We spend a lot of money to purchase healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, so let’s not let them go to waste! The following from Health Magazine provides you with some of great tips for storing fresh fruits and veggies.
Health Magazine: You’re Probably Storing and Prepping Your Produce Wrong
Can dietary changes aid in the recovery from brain injury? Evidence shows it can! Check out the following from Brainline which discusses how to feed your brain for optimal recovery.
Brainline: Feed Your Body, Feed Your Brain: Nutritional Tips to Speed Recovery
For years salt has been hailed as one of the biggest concerns for your health, however, new research is showing that sugar has become the “silent killer.” A diet with excessive sugar can lead to heart damage, obesity, increased cancer production, liver problems and more. It’s easy for us to avoid the true “sugary” foods, unless it’s Halloween, but there are many foods that are high in sugar content that you may not realize. The following article from Best Health Magazine provides you with 10 shocking sources of sugar. Check it out and, like anything else, be sure to eat your sweets in moderation.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month and our blog is focusing on supporting a healthy brain! Diet and nutrition have a large role to play in maintaining a healthy body and mind. The following from Reader’s Digest discusses some of the ways you can eat for brain health!
If you live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), dietary changes can often help. However, prior to making any changes, be sure to discuss your diet and nutritional requirements with your physician and a dietitian. The following from Eat Right Ontario provides you with some general tips on maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle when living with MS.
Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)
As a newer vegetarian, and someone who spends most days on the road, I am always looking for quick, but decent, lunch options. While in an ideal world I would prepare my lunches and snacks ahead of time (including hand sanitizer!), sometimes life takes over and I am rushing out the door unprepared. On some days that may result in me being undernourished and not eating again until dinner, on other days it does have me searching for healthy stuff en route. So here is my list of the healthiest but fast meal options that are under 300 calories but can be grabbed quickly, as listed by restaurant name:
SUBWAY
Veggie Delight (whole wheat bread without cheese or mayonnaise) 230 Calories
MCDONALDS
Side Garden Salad (no dressing) 40 calories
Chipotle Chicken Snack Wrap® with Grilled Chicken 230 calories
Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap® 230 calories
WENDY’S
Full Asian Cashew Chicken Salad (no dressing) 190 calories
Chicken Go Wrap Grilled 260 calories
PITA PIT
Garden Pita (no cheese or condiments, whole wheat pita) 227 calories
Tuna Pita (no cheese or condiments, whole wheat pita) 285 calories
Turkey Breast (no cheese or condiments, whole wheat pita) 286 calories
STARBUCKS
Perfect Oatmeal (plain) 140 calories
Spinach, Roasted Tomato, Feta and Egg White Wrap 280 calories (my personal favorite with the nutrition value quickly wasted by my latte add-on).
TIM HORTONS
Chicken Ranch or Salad Wrap Snacker 190 calories
Chipotle Chicken Wrap Snacker 200 calories
Chili 290 calories
Soups (no bun) 80 – 230 calories
HARVEYS
Warm Grilled Chicken Salad (no dressing) 150 calories
Warm Grilled Chicken BLT Salad (no dressing) 210 calories
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no cheese or condiments) 280 calories
BURGER KING
Tendergrill Caesar Salad (no dressing) 250 calories
Hamburger (no cheese or condiments) 260 calories
Veggie Burger (no cheese or condiments) 270 calories
QUIZNOS
No under 300 calorie meals.
Of course, calories are not the only consideration when consuming a healthy lunch. However, this measure can provide an easy metric when looking for something fast while trying to avoid the unnecessary calories found in heavy carbs and bad-fat common to fast food meals. For drinks, stick to water as not only is this often free (tap water) with your meal, but it provides an opportunity to rehydrate which is also important.
I hope this list helps you to also pick healthier options when on the road.