Grocery store prices and health food stores do not make it easy to eat healthier. It becomes even more difficult when you are extremely busy and do not have the ability or the time to meal plan, count calories, or excessively work out. Fast food may simply be the best meal option for you if you do not want to skip your meals entirely. A little bit of health knowledge and research can help you obtain your weight loss goals, without giving up fast food and spending all of your free time shopping for and making healthy meals.
Smaller, more frequent meals over larger meals
When you are busy, you are more tempted to entirely skip meals. Then, you binge eat to make up for it. This is actually worse for your health and will cause you to gain even more weight. Your metabolism struggles with keeping up on the big meals. It also never knows when the next meal is, storing food rather than breaking it down. Instead, if you find yourself too busy to eat a full meal, have many smaller snacks throughout the day. You will be less hungry when dinner time comes around, and you will not be tempted to binge eat.
Drink more water
A good portion of people do not drink enough water throughout the day. Other drinks, like pop, juice, and coffee actually dehydrate you. Water is great at making you feel fuller and reducing those mid afternoon cravings. Also, dehydration can often be mistaken for hunger. If you find yourself hungry just a few hours after a meal, drink a large glass of water instead.
Water can also be helpful in reducing food intake at local fast food restaurants. Instead of ordering a pop with your meal, ask for a large ice water. Drink the entire water before finishing your meal. You will feel fuller and much more satisfied. The water will also hold you off, until your next meal. Next time, you might even order less food because you know the large iced water will fill you up.
Consider healthier fast food options
Some fast food chains do actually have a couple healthier options. You can gain nutrition information on most fast food websites. Know where to eat ahead of time, so when you are rushing to your next appointment, you can still get fast food and be healthy. You will usually find that chicken options are healthier than hamburgers. Grilled chicken will generally have the best calorie and fat counts. Chicken is also on most menus, regardless of where you go. Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world. It is the number one protein consumed in the United States.
Limit items ordered
Eating healthier does not mean that you have to give up fast food entirely. Instead, consider limiting your amount of items ordered. It is all about give and take. If you order a large plate of chicken wings, for example, skip the fries. If you are craving that juicy hamburger, skip the pop. This is a great way to cut calories, without having to physically track everything you eat. Food and drink sales of the restaurant industry in the United States were forecasted to exceed 683 billion U.S. dollars in 2014. A lot of these sales come from multiple items ordered at once.
Get involved in work catering planning
People who spend a lot of time at work or school tend to eat whatever is served there. Try involving yourself in the work catering planning. You can control what types of food delivery are occurring, and you can ensure that there are healthier options available as well. In 2014, there were 39,325 eating and drinking place locations in Florida alone. Be a part of the process that decides which ones are catered to your work.
Busy people often struggle the most with weight loss. Weight loss generally requires careful meal planning and eating specific healthy foods. When this is not possible, you need to get creative. Eat smaller meals throughout the day, drink lots of water, get involved in your work?s provided meals, and choose healthier options at local fast food restaurants.
