Most of my busy, traveling clients have the same complaint…finding healthy, nutritious foods while on the road. And they have the right to complain!  Have you tried finding a healthy snack in a convenience store or vending machine lately?

Good luck.

It is a true pity that the least nutritious foods are generally the most accessible.  But finding fresh, whole foods (the kind naturally loaded with the nutrients, water and fiber your body needs to stay healthy) require a special trip to the supermarket or natural-foods store. And then…eek…they most likely require washing, chopping, refrigeration or maybe even (gasp) cooking.

Once upon a time, people ate seasonal foods that they farmed, gathered or hunted themselves and then prepared their meals by hand,  Today most of us rely on the food industry – the food manufacturers, grocery-store chains and restaurants who have made food preparation and marketing a science into itself.  As convenient as that seems, all too often, that food comes in nutrient-poor, jumbo-sized servings available anytime of the year, wherever we happen to be. Since unhealthy foods are always easy to find and are easy to consume and because the demands of our everyday life keep us busy, convenience often takes precedence over our health and pre-packaged, processed foods becomes part of our daily menu. And the food marketers spend plenty of money to make sure we keep consuming…and consuming…and consuming.

So what is a healthy eater to do?

Go on the offense and strategically plan your day and your travels.  Prepare healthy foods, like chopped up veggies, fruit or wasa crackers and cheese.  Purchase meal replacements – one of my most favorite things – to be certain you have a healthy snack with you at all times.

And don’t get suckered into the siren song of the drive thru window.  Remember that those food manufacturers do NOT have your good health as a concern.  Don’t let them play you for a fool!! Eating Healthy is an option!

One Response to “A Healthy Food Famine”