One Snarky Chica with Issues

Each Tuesday deals with health/fitness related issues

We all know that it is in our best interest to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. And if this is a newsflash for you, well, then I suppose that is a good thing as it’s never too late to start eating right. Even though I know how I should be eating, sometimes it’s easier to not eat healthy due to my busy schedule. I know I’m not the only person with too much on their plate and not enough time to prepare fruits and vegetables for meals and snacks, so here are some things I’ve learned along the way that makes it easier for me to eat healthy.

Buy already washed mixed berries. I love berries, but they are a pain in the arse to eat since you need to wash them beforehand. More often than I not I’ll buy some raspberries that will sit in my fridge and get moldy just because I don’t have the time to wash them on my way out. The solution? I’ve started buying little bowls of washed mixed berries at the grocery store. Yes, it costs more but to me the cost is worth the benefit of putting something healthy into my body. Besides, I waste more money on moldy berries that I can’t eat than these little bowls of mixed berries.

Buy already mixed salads. Sometimes my grocery store has little containers of salads for sale for $1.50. It’s just lettuce, green pepper, a tomato slice and a cucumber slice, but it’s still veggies. Now, a head of lettuce is only $0.99, so clearly this is not a good deal financially. In the mornings when I am getting ready for work I do not have time to make a salad, so I love buying these when they are available at the store. Sometimes I do pre-make some little salads on the weekend, but I use these pre-packaged ones when I don’t have a chance to make my own.

Choose portable foods. When I buy fruit I try to buy things are easy to transport. I buy a lot of apples, nectarines and bananas. I can just toss these in my lunch bag and deal with washing them at work. Well, except for the banana of course cause it doesn’t need washed. The same goes for baby carrots. At my grocery store I can get a bag full of little bags of baby carrots. These are great for snacks or to eat with a sandwich. If you have any of the sandwich chain Cosi in your neck of the woods, then you know how good baby carrots are with sandwiches.

Don’t underestimate frozen fruit. One of my favorite before bedtime snacks is a bowl of frozen cherries. I actually prefer them over fresh cherries. I don’t have to wash them and they don’t have pits in them. All I have to do is pour them in a bowl and eat them. I usually let them sit a few minutes in the bowl before I eat them so that they soften up a little bit. If you ever make smoothies, a bag of frozen assorted fruit is great for that.

Have a vegetarian night. At least once a week you should have a vegetarian dinner. Not only is it usually a quicker meal to prepare, but a plate full of veggies is great for you. I actually do this a few nights a week at my house. Steamed vegetables are a quick and easy thing to make. Corn on the cob is a favorite at my house due to its easy preparation.

Make extra and take them in your lunch. Another easy way to get in my veggies each day is that whenever I am making veggies for dinner I make extra. Then, I immediately put the extra in a container that will fit in my lunch bag and all I have to do the next morning is toss it in my bag and voila, I have veggies for lunch.

Dried fruit is better than no fruit. I buy a lot of dried fruit because it’s easy. No need to wash it or peel it before eating; just open the bag and eat. Dried fruit is a great snack for work or even when driving. I also use a lot of dried fruit when baking. I have a definite sweet tooth, so the justify letting myself eat sweet baked goods I load them full of dried fruit. Scones with raisins or dried cranberries are my favorite. I also drop dried fruit in my oatmeal sometimes. Dried fruit is hands down the best on-the-go food. Beware the apricots though; they can leave your fingers sticky!

Sneak it in when you can. Having a sandwich? Why not add a cucumber slice, or green pepper slice? No matter what I am eating I try to add a little color to it. Well, except for that peanut butter and jelly sandwich I had yesterday. If I’m having eggs, I chop up some green pepper or tomato. Sandwiches can get broccoli spouts, cucumber, green pepper or tomatoes. Potatoes? How about a little chopped broccoli on top? I even put celery or green peppers in my tuna salad. Have some chicken that needs seasoned or marinating? Why not use limes or lemons instead of bottled goo?

As you can see, I have discovered that there is really no excuse for having a diet lacking fruits and vegetables. All it takes is a conscious effort to add it in to your diet when you can.