How to Eat Healthy On-the-Go

You prepare nutritious dishes whenever your family sits down for a meal. However, with work, school, sports and other activities, it seems you are always on the go. How can you make sure you are eating healthy when the bulk of your meals and snacks come from drive-thru windows or convenience store shelves? Fortunately, there are several tips that can help you eat healthier on the go.

1. Whenever you have time to make a healthy meal, do double duty. Baking two pans of lasagna instead of one doesn't take much extra work. Store the second pan in the freezer and on an evening when your family is on the go, simply pop the meal into the microwave and serve with a bagged salad. This is just as quick as fast food and so much healthier.

2. Prepare plenty of grab and go healthy snack items. Hard-boil a dozen eggs and keep them in the fridge for a protein-packed pregame snack. Wash and slice fruits and veggies as soon as you get home from the grocery store so your family can snatch a healthy snack on the way out the door.

3. Keep healthy snacks on hand for those unplanned times when you are on the go. Stash granola bars or zip-top plastic baggies with dried fruits, nuts, pretzels or whole grain crackers in your purse, glove box or console. These healthy snacks will keep your family going until mealtime.

4. If your family is craving a sweet, cool treat after a game or another snack while on the go, look for grocery stores on your route. Pick up a package of frozen fruit bars instead of stopping for ice cream, or grab a box of cheesy baked crackers instead of nachos from the concessions stand.

5. Make healthy choices at convenience stores. Sidestep items that might sound healthy but are loaded with fat and calories, such as bakery muffins. Opt for dairy products such as string cheese, yogurt or fat-free milk; fresh fruit; or a crunchy granola bar.

6. While fast food restaurants should not be a staple, when you are on the go they may be unavoidable at times. Opt for a small burger, which usually has less fat and calories than even a large grilled chicken sandwich. Pass up the French fries and pick a small green salad instead.

7. At sit-down restaurants, let kids choose between two healthier options. Consider splitting a meal with your spouse, as restaurant servings are typically oversized. Start with a salad or broth-based soup for satisfying nutrition.

8. Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and have zero nutritional value. Instead of soda, sip water wherever you go. Carry an ice chest full of bottled water and choose water whenever you eat out.

Once you arm yourself with nutritional knowledge, think creatively and plan, you will find that eating healthy on the go is an attainable, worthwhile goal.