You might think you are saving time and being more efficient by grabbing a burger and working through your lunch hour, then filling up on energy drinks when you start to get tired. It's important to know how to start eating healthy and what healthy foods to eat, especially when time gets busy. To stay healthy, eat healthy. That is why these healthy eating tips for a busy person who is always on the go are perfect to try out today.
Table of Contents
💚 Stay, Healthy, Eat Healthy
The busier you get, the less likely you are to think about how to start healthy eating. Unfortunately, acting in this way is counterproductive. When you are always busy, grabbing food mindlessly is usually how things go during the day.
However, you are actually reducing your productivity levels by eating in this way. A poor diet causes you to feel tired and lose energy during the day, which has a direct impact on the amount of work you get done.
It also contributes to many more serious health problems, including chronic disease and weight gain.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to turn your diet around with these tips and start eating healthy, even when you are super busy. In this article, I share 10 of my top tips for eating healthy when your time is minimal.
Incorporate these healthy eating tips into your routine for better results.
🥗 10 Healthy Eating Tips For When You Have No Time!
These healthy eating tips will help you maintain your energy levels and overall well-being. Here are my favorite top 10 healthy eating tips, especially when you have zero time in the day. You are busy but want to be healthy too.
📝 1. Plan Ahead When Busy But Still Want To Be Healthy
Many people say; "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and when it comes to healthy eating, this is valid. If you don't put together some sort of plan to eat healthy, especially when you are busy, then you will end up eating unhealthy junk foods.
The best way to plan ahead is to list the foods you plan to eat tomorrow at the end of each day.
So, then prepare what you can the night before. You may argue you simply don't have the time to do this. But realistically, it's only going to take 10 minutes to pack a few healthy snacks and prepare a healthy lunch. Meal planning is the key to success.
Surely you can find 10 minutes at the end of each day to do this?
🛒 2. Don't Do Weekly Shopping When You Are Hungry
As part of your healthy eating plan, you need to start buying healthy foods when you do your weekly shop. Doing your weekly shop when you are hungry makes this task a lot more difficult, as your hunger will naturally draw you towards convenient junk foods.
Therefore, make sure you have something to eat before you do your weekly shopping trip.
🍓 3. Take Full Advantage Of Fruits
When you are busy, and you start to feel hungry, what's your usual course of action?
If you answered; "Head over to the vending machine and grab a quick snack", then you are not taking full advantage of fruits.
Fruits can be just as filling as chocolate or crisps, provide much more nutritional value, and contain fewer calories. They are just as quick and easy to eat. So, even if you are super busy, fruits are the perfect snack food.
Make sure you pack a few pieces of fruit into your bag each day. Then when hunger calls, you have them readily available.
🥜 4. Always Carry Nuts
Nuts are another fantastic, healthy food that you can use as a substitute for vending machine snacks.
They provide your body with a selection of health-boosting vitamins and minerals, along with adequate amounts of protein and fat.
To avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks, make sure you always carry a bag with you so that you can quickly grab a handful whenever your stomach starts to rumble.
🥦 5. Incorporate Vegetables Into Every Meal - Stay Healthy Eat Healthy
This may sound like too much of an effort when your time is limited.
However, if you choose the right vegetables, it hardly takes up any of your time at all.
Salads, soybeans, sun-dried tomatoes can now be purchased from supermarkets in a ready-to-eat form, while chopped tomatoes can be heated up and used as a sauce in under five minutes.
🐠 6. Look For Lean Fish, Poultry And Meats
When you are busy and have forgotten to bring your healthy packed lunch, grabbing a quick burger or hot dog might appear like the best option. In order to stay healthy, you should eat healthy.
However, there are plenty of healthier meat choices out there. Most hot deli counters allow you to buy a roasted chicken, both tasty and nutritious. Most supermarkets also sell cooked chicken breast slices.
Lean meats are just as quick to eat as burgers and hot dogs, but provide your body with higher quality protein and no nasty added ingredients.
☕️ 7. Get A Travel Coffee Mug
One bad habit I have noticed among busy people is they regularly buy branded coffees.
This doesn't seem like such a bad habit on the surface but when you consider that six of the drinks on the current Starbucks menu exceed the 300 calorie mark, it's a habit that can easily add over 1,000 empty calories to your week.
So instead of hitting the coffee shops daily, get yourself a travel coffee mug and fill it with coffee or tea. Both these options will give you easy access to your favorite hot drink, without adding hundreds or thousands of calories to your week.
📥 GET THIS RECIPE IN YOUR INBOX 📥
Just share your email, and we'll send it straight to your inbox! Plus, enjoy weekly doses of nutrition & wellness tips, and healthy recipe inspiration as a bonus!
This is one of the easiest healthy eating tips that can make a huge difference.
8. How To Eat Healthy When Busy? Use Smoothies
Smoothies are an excellent way to fit multiple fruits and vegetables into one convenient drink, and the best part is they take only a few minutes to prepare.
To make a smoothie, you first need to pick the fruits and vegetables you plan to use. Then chop them into chunks, place them in your blender, add a few other optional ingredients if you like (crushed ice, fruit juice, milk, etc). Blend until the mixture becomes smooth, and then pour the smoothie into a flask.
If you are stumped for ideas, check out some of my delicious smoothie recipes below or inside the Healthy Smoothie Recipe Book.
Delicious Smoothie Recipes
- Low-sugar healthy strawberry smoothie
- Delicious hormone-balancing green smoothie recipe
- Easy low-sugar raspberry smoothie
- Vegan good morning green smoothie
- Festive holiday gingerbread spice smoothie
- How to make a dreamy orange creamsicle smoothie
9. Use Your Freezer In The Right Way - Busy But Healthy Tip
Your freezer is an invaluable tool if you want to stay healthy, eat healthy, and save time.
If you know you are going to be having a hectic week, then cook up a large batch of healthy food at the start of the week, divide it into individual servings, and freeze these servings.
Then on the days when you don't have time to cook, simply get these frozen servings out of the freezer the night before and warm them up when you are ready to eat.
Doing this will allow you to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals without having to cook nightly. Preparing healthy foods to eat doesn't have to be complicated.
10. Choose The Lesser Of Two Evils
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, events will conspire against you, and you won't be able to eat healthy. You'll accidentally leave your healthy lunch at home.
The local shop near your work will have no fruits or vegetables left, and your only choice is to head to a fast-food outlet.
In these situations, simply choose the lesser of the two evils. Take a look at the amount of salt, the calories, and the numbers of trans fats in each option on the menu, and then choose the least damaging. This isn't exactly healthy, but it's making the most of a bad situation.
⭐️ Pro Nutrition Tip: Stay Healthy, Eat Healthy
Incorporate nutrient-dense snacks into your daily routine. Keeping options like nuts, seeds, or pre-cut vegetables handy can curb hunger and provide essential nutrients, helping you avoid less healthy choices when time is tight.
🥘Meal Prep Tip - Busy But Healthy Tip
Utilize your freezer effectively. Preparing meals in bulk and freezing individual portions ensures you have healthy options available, reducing the temptation to opt for takeout during hectic times.
🤔 ⁉️ FAQ - Common Questions
What Are The Best Grab-And-Go Healthy Snacks?
Some great quick snack options include mixed nuts, fruit like apples or bananas, Greek yogurt, veggie sticks with hummus, protein bars with clean ingredients, or hard-boiled eggs. Keep them handy in your bag or fridge to avoid last-minute unhealthy choices.
How Can I Meal Prep If I Only Have An Hour A Week?
Start with batch-cooking basics like grains (rice, quinoa), roasted vegetables, and proteins (chicken, tofu, lentils). Store them in separate containers to mix and match throughout the week. Use that hour to wash, chop, and portion your meals to save major time later. Check out my Meal Prep Guide to learn how to make healthy balanced meals while saving time in the kitchen.
Is It More Expensive To Eat Healthy?
Not necessarily! Buying whole foods in bulk, choosing seasonal produce, and planning meals ahead can help save money. You'll also reduce spending on takeout or processed snacks. Check out my article, Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Expensive for more budget wellness tips.
I Skip Meals Because I'm So Busy. Is That Bad?
Skipping meals can lead to energy crashes, poor concentration, and overeating later. If you can't sit down for full meals, prioritize small nutrient-dense snacks every 3-4 hours to stay fueled and focused.
🏁 Start These Healthy Eating Tips Today - Stay Healthy, Eat Healthy
Sticking to a healthy diet is tough at the best of times, but when you are busy and stressed, it can sometimes seem impossible.
I hope the tips on how to eat heatlhy when busy, in this article have shown you that eating healthy when you are super busy is not only possible, but it's also handy if you approach it in the right way.
Eating junk food doesn't do you or your body any good, so if you are one of those people who feel they are too busy to eat healthy, now is the time to change. Start today.
🗣️ Let's Discuss Healthy Eating Tips - How To Start Eating Healthy Today
If you have ever been too busy to eat healthy, didn't know how to start to eat healthy, let me know your experience in the comment section below.
You can also connect with me @EatYourNutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva
🦠 Gut, Skin, or Hormone Health Help?
Also, if you need further assistance with your symptoms, don't hesitate to contact me. Let's work together to embark on a holistic health lifestyle journey towards a healthier, vibrant life. Contact me.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Also, for further reading and guidance on how to eat healthy, change your mindset, restore your gut health, and balance your hormones naturally! Consider exploring the following resources.
- Want a simple recipe guide and anti-inflammatory diet meal plan packed with the key to help ditch inflammation and reset the body? So, if you have chronic inflammation issues, try this meal plan and recipes inside the Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Plan and Recipe Guide.
⏭️ Ready to Take the Next Step? Join Our Nutrition Programs!
Which Program Is Right For You?
- Restore Your Gut Health Fundamentals - Perfect if you struggle with digestion, bloating, or gut imbalances.
- Reset & Renew Nutrition Program - A full-body refresh to boost metabolism and energy levels.
- Balanced Hormones, Clear Radiant Skin Program - Designed for those dealing with hormone-related issues like acne and fatigue.
- Fresh Start Healthy Weight Program - A structured plan for those looking to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way while supporting gut and hormone health.
📧 Share This Article!
If you found this helpful, share it with a friend who might need some inspiration! Let's build a community of health-conscious individuals, one habit at a time.
Comments
No Comments