When you are busy with your job, your family, and all of the other tasks and demands that take up your time, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, though, eating healthy can reduce your risk of the three primary causes of death in adults: cancer, heart attacks and strokes, as well as myriad other illnesses and conditions. Finding ways to eat healthy will provide the energy, stamina and vitality you need to manage your hectic life.
Step 1
Adjust restaurant portions. Eating out may be inevitable, but you can control what you consume. Restaurant meals are often considerably larger than those you serve at home. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends ordering a small burger and fries rather than a super-size meal, or ordering a single meal and splitting it between two people.
Step 2
Skip high-calorie, sugar-laden beverages. Soft drinks contain little to no nutritional value. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists carbonated sodas and juice drinks as a major source of added sugars, which can cause weight gain and tooth decay. Order a glass of ice water with lemon instead, or carry a small cooler with bottled water in your vehicle.
Step 3
Request special preparations when dining out. As the customer, you have the right to ask for your meal to be made to certain specifications. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, suggests asking that creams, sauces and dressings be omitted or served on the side. Check to see if seemingly healthy foods, such as grilled chicken or fish, are cooked with butter or oil as well. Ask if they can be made without these items or with a lesser amount.
Step 4
Prepare healthy foods in advance. When you cook a dish that freezes well, such as a casserole, double the recipe to freeze one for another meal. Wash and cut up produce on the weekend so that it is ready to use during the week. Divide healthy snacks, such as popcorn, pretzels and granola, into individual servings that are easy to grab when your family is on the go.
Step 5
Bring a meal with you. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests packing a healthy picnic for lunch or supper when attending your child's soccer game or other activities. Find a nice spot to spread out together before or after the event. You can enjoy eating healthy and making memories as a family.
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