4 Easy Tasks to do Tonight for a Healthier Tomorrow

School is back in session and our employers are sending us back into the office.  As our new routine starts to take over, our healthy eating habits can easily get put on the back burner.  Here are 4 easy tips on tasks you can complete tonight that will make for a healthier tomorrow.  

Prep Your Breakfast 

I walk out the door at 6:30 AM to get to work and rarely eat breakfast at home.  Therefore, on the go items are key for my breakfast routine.  Even though I’m on the go, I still try to form a well-balanced breakfast.  Some ideas are hard boil eggs, fruit and granola bar, overnight oats, and Greek yogurt (I’m loving the pumpkin yogurt right now) and fruit.  These are items I can eat on my commute or at my desk.  If you are able to eat breakfast before work/school, try at least planning your breakfast ahead of time.    

Takeaway: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  Don’t skip it. Prep-it. Start the day off right!  

Pack a Lunch 

I’m all about packing my lunch, especially the night before.  I typically eat my dinner, pack up what I have leftover, and then put it right in my lunch box.  Even if you don’t want leftovers, try packing your lunch right after dinner.  You’re already in the kitchen.  Get the kids involved too!  Let them make their sandwich or pick their snacks.  They might even be more likely to eat it tomorrow if they are a part of the packing process tonight.  If you are still working from home, it’s a good idea to pack a lunch too!  It’ll prevent you from grazing in the kitchen between work calls or selecting items that are not the best choice.  

Takeaway: Working at home or in the office, pack your lunch!  Your kids can help pack their lunches too.

Meal Plan your Dinners

Meal planning is such a great task to complete before the work/school week begins.  If you haven’t done this yet for the week, sit down tonight and meal plan. Try planning all your meals before going to the food store for the week so you have the items at home ready to be used.  Who has time to run into the food store mid-week to grab only a few items?  Also by doing this, you’ll be able to check your meal plan for the week without any extra thinking.  When planning don’t hold back on writing down “take out” or your favorite restaurant.  This is still meal planning even if you are not cooking at home.  But when you are cooking at home, don’t forget about those kitchen gadgets.  For example, use that crockpot.  Your meal can be cooking as your working.  

Takeaway: If you haven’t meal planned for the week yet, do it tonight.  Also, use your kitchen gadgets to make cooking easier.  

Bonus:  If you want to learn even more about meal planning check out our last blog: Yes, You Have to Make Dinner Again

Portion Out Snacks 

If you don’t buy pre-portioned bags of food items, that’s totally okay!  Try portioning out the bags of snacks yourself ahead of time so you are not tempted to overeat.  How many times do we eat directly out of the bag and afterwards don’t even realize how much we actually consumed.  By pre-portioning out your snacks tonight we can avoid overeating tomorrow.  Keep the snacks on one self, drawer of the fridge or bowl so they are easily accessible, and even your kids can access them on their own.  

Takeaway: Pre-portion your snacks to avoid overeating and/or grazing.  

Hopefully you find these little tips and tricks helpful for tonight, which will make for a healthier tomorrow!  Good luck!

This blog was written by Amanda J. Stahl RD, LDN, co-founder of Simple Start Nutrition.  For more blog posts and nutrition information follow @simplestartnutrition on Instagram and Facebook.  Also feel free to contact us, by visiting our website (simplestartnutrition.com) to schedule an appointment to discuss your nutrition related needs.  We’re here to help.