Eating clean when on the run

[rundinarun]

Hello all,
I desperately need guidance on clean eating when sitting to eat is hard to do. Every morning I say today I will actually have meals and I always blow it breakfast. I start off with coffee and a tiger bar in the car but not before finishing my son's cereal and daughter's yogurt. Dinner is the same way. I eat as fast as I can, standing so that I can feed my kids with full attention. I don't eat bad things but its all in pieces and I never have a definite meal. I live on energy and protein bars most of the time. I would love any disciplinary suggestions because I feel out of control.

Dina

 

[teddy16410]

Dina-
Of course my first thought was PLEASE take better care of yourself so you can do all the things you want to do for a long time to come...that isnt much help tho so here's what I do.
I pick 1 afternoon a week and cook up an entire bag of chicken breasts/turkey breasts and a huge batch of broccoli/cauliflower and some sweet potatoes. I put my "servings" in small containers and just grab and go w/ a container when i'm too busy to sit and eat. As a matter of fact I'm eating exactly one of those meals now as DH is working late and my day has me frazzeled....
My personal feeling is that protein bars are great in a pinch but on a day to day basis they really can sabotage your health / fitness goals. Real food is what we workout warriors bodies crave... I have learned the hard way.
I'm sure you'll get lots of great advise from the pro's around here so for now I'll just say Take care, Slow Down a bit and put yourself number 1 once in awhile;-)

 

[alsrnbsn]

I second Traci!!!

 

[wkoutmom]

I agree with Traci too. When you have the time, prepare the meals in advance, even if it is just rice. Cut up your veggies and wash your fruit right when you buy them. I swear this makes it so much easier. I was in the same situation as you, trying to please my sons and hubby while puttin myself last and this can't be done. I was starting to get sick from not eating right, but since taking the time to prepare the meals in advance, I eat and am a much happier person .

Hope all goes well.

Lea

 

[gettingstrong]

I just wanted to chime in and say I hear ya! My kids are older, but I spend so much time on the road with their activities, it makes it difficult. Also, by the time I finish preparing their food, and I have all those dishes, baths, etc. still facing me, I don't want to start fixing food for me. I don't even want to take time to sit down and eat! So I know what your saying. The rush and stress and hunger makes me just shove whatever's handy in my mouth! Not good!

This week I faithfully logged ALL my food into fitday. The days where I took time to prepare and eat my food and made sure I got 8 f/v servings were the days I consumed the least amt. of calories. My ratios were good as well. I also was not hungry! Great combo! But it sure is difficult to make the time and to RELAX while eating when you have all this other stuff still to do.

I am going to try some of the suggestions here as well. Last week, I roasted a whole chicken on my rotisserie and used chunks in salads, etc. When on the road, I took some chunks with some raw carrots, walnuts and an apple and a bottle of water. It worked - I stayed away from the kids food. We just have to push ourselves up a bit on the priority list! ;-) Marnie

 

[rundinarun]

Thank you all very much for your advice. You are right about taking the time to cook in advance. I don't mind eating left overs but the rest of the family does. I will cook things in advance and really try to cut back on the bars