Getting Healthy In A Hurry: Tips That'll Keep You Fuelled Throughout Your Day

Now that we've settled back into the fall routine, it's important to take note of what we're eating as we move away from the carefree days of summer. I know I'm definitely more pressed for time now that I'm working a full-time schedule again, and with my boys in school, I want to make sure each meal is as healthy as it can be—so we're getting the proper nutrition we need, and the energy to keep us going all day. I go grocery shopping several times a week, but I've never considered using the support of an in-store Registered Dietitian at Loblaw. This great (and did I mention free?) service provides shoppers a range of services, like:

• Grocery shopping tours to make healthier choices (You'd be surprised what you'll learn!)
• Health and wellness workshops and lunch and learns 
• Developing a customized meal plan based on your dietary needs 
• Interactive cooking classes 
• Tips for encouraging children to try new foods 
• Nutrition check-ups to assess dietary habits

I partnered with Loblaw recently to see how this could benefit my family, and I loved how informative my Dietitian, Margaret Hughes, was in helping me come up with new meal ideas. (I'm terrible at meal planning!) I wanted to focus on healthy meals in a hurry—meals I could make my family in a limited amount of time, that were healthy and delicious. I was provided with a ton of information on how to eat "healthy in a hurry" and ways I could incorporate the foods we eat every week (like eggs, fish, and beans) into other meals.

Here are some great tips for you:

Get organized

• Print a weekly meal planner (which you can pick up the next time you're grocery shopping!) and make a grocery list based on what you plan on cooking for the week.

• Keep your favourite recipes and cookbook in the kitchen so you can see what ingredients you'll need when you're grocery shopping.

• Browse the hundreds of "Healthier Choices" recipes on pc.ca.

• Check your pantry, fridge, and freezer first, then include the food you already have into your meal plan. 

• Make a list of staples—the items that are essential in your home like eggs, milk, and olive oil—and keep it handy so family members can note when something runs out.

Start planning

• Cook once, eat twice should be your mantra. What you're having for dinner one night can be lunch the next day. 

• Prepare your own lunch to bring to work so you're saving money and eating healthy. 

• If your dinner is lacking in vegetables, add a salad, raw vegetables and dip, steamed veggies, or cooked frozen vegetables. They take a lot less time to prepare, too!

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day.

Next time you're shopping, pick up the From Your Dietitian booklet—it's packed with helpful information like mindful meal planning and perfect portion sizes. It's a handy thing to have close by when you're in the kitchen preparing your next grocery shopping trip!

I'm excited to start meal planning and I'm even going to try some new recipes I know we'll all love. It's all about planning, shopping, prepping and enjoying the food we've made.

To learn more about the dietitian services and find out what store locations offer the service, visit http://loblaws.ca/dietitians.



Disclaimer: I have been compensated by Loblaw's for this post. All views and opinions are my own.