“I’m Late, I’m Late for a very important date, No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late.”
If you feel like the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” much of the time, trying to weigh, measure, calculate and cook complex diet meals just isn’t on your agenda. And we get that.
So, just for all of us time-pressured, “I’m late” folks out there, here’s a Diet Diva column dedicated to you:
Breakfast:
Yup, it’s essential. Multiple studies have shown that folks who eat breakfast control their weight better. The problem if you skip breakfast: Those hunger pangs in the mid-morning can send you hunting and foraging for a quick fix like a candy bar or doughnut. And then you’re set up for a cycle of blood sugar surges, leading to more cravings.
Keep on hand instant oatmeal, such as Nature’s Path. Or, if you’re really on the run, try a low-calorie, gluten-free doughnut to go: Ener-G Gluten-Free Donut Holes and wash it down with a glass of unsweetened soy milk, such as White Wave, for protein power.
Lunch:
No time to fix a salad piled with assorted, chopped veggies and protein? No worries. Make a filling, stop-the-cravings protein shake with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey in Double Rich Chocolate.
Or, if it’s cold outside, keep a healthy canned soup on hand to heat for instant satisfaction. Look for one with protein, such as Dr. McDougall’s Vegan Chicken Ramen Soup.
Snacks:
We believe in snacking power when you’re rushed for time. The right snack can satisfy your cravings and boost your energy level. Try BioNutritional Research Group Power Crunch Protein Energy Bar in flavors like Chocolate Mint.
Another great snack for the time-pressured: A handful of organic nuts, such as Vitacost Almonds.
Dinner:
Sit, breathe and relax. You made it through the day. Just one problem: You have to fix dinner. Try planning ahead on the weekend and buy chicken, eggs and other perishable protein to have available. Then you can put up a stew while you kick back and relax by using Frontier Soups Campfire Chicken Stew Mix.
Other essentials to have always available in your cupboard:
- Brown rice, such as Lundberg brand, which you can heat and use to turn leftover chicken or sliced tofu into a meal
- Fantastic Foods Tofu Scrambler, which turns plain tofu into a meal
- St. Dalfour Gourmet On The Go Wild Salmon with Vegetables