A little time today can improve your nutrition all week

Have you ever felt like reaching in the fridge for a snack only there was nothing there ready to eat? Maybe you're in a time crunch or maybe you just don't feel like rinsing and cutting up the fruit or vegetables. When that happens, what do you grab? Do you grab that old slice of cake or some cookies or chips because all of those things are easier? There's one easy way to fix that behavior.

Usually twice a week, I spend about 30 minutes prepping  food for the week. I clean and chop up some fruit and vegetables. I also cook a couple of chicken breasts. I always have some spring mix on hand. So, throughout the week, when I just want to grab something quick and easy, there are healthy choices right there in front of me.

The fruit can be eaten all by itself or thrown in a bowl with some yogurt and granola. The chicken can get chopped up and thrown in a nice spring mix, or heated up and put on a some whole wheat toast. 

There are tons of benefits to prepping your food in advance. Here are just a few:
1. The healthy food you ambitiously bought at the grocery store doesn't go bad in the back of the fridge.
2. By snacking on fresh foods, you avoid the snack foods loaded with fats, sugars, artificial colors, and additives.
3. Nutrient packed snacks are great for the increasing energy.
4. By prepping everything yourself, you save money. 
5. Blanchard Valley Health Systems says healthy snacks can also make you feel healthier. (1)

You could be super ambitious and prep snacks and meals for the week but if you are new to food prep, it's best to start slowly. Otherwise, the task could be overwhelming. Living a more nutritious life is not a diet and it shouldn't be hard work. It is a change of lifestyle. Eventually, eating nutritiously becomes habit. Until then, give yourself as many "wins" as possible, even if they are small. Nothing says VICTORY better than needing a snack, going to your fridge and grabbing some of your favorite fruit and simply eating it, with no work. It's satisfying and you can feel great about it because you made a great choice. YAY YOU!

(1) ​https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/expert-health-articles/the-benefits-to-healthy-snacks