Eating Well on the Run

As a fitness instructor & personal trainer, I constantly run from class to client. I'm often on the go for the entire day and if I want to fuel my body so I can actually do these workouts, I need to eat the kinds of foods that my body will thank me for and give me the energy I need. Normally I'll pack something at home and bring it along, but there are always days that I'm in a hurry and didn't make the time to make my food. Notice I didn't say I don't HAVE the time...there are 24 hours in a day...all of us have the time, it's just what we choose to do with it. When you make eating healthy a priority, you find the time :-)

First, I always have my water bottle with me. Stainless Steel (not aluminum - stay away from those), full of water. I bring it with me everywhere to make sure I never have to go without. Water is crucial for so many functions in our bodies and without it, we would die.

Second - I always have fresh fruits and veggies in my fridge that I bring along wherever I go. If you ever took a look in my bag, along with my hairbrush and lipstick, sports bra and a pair of runners, you would find a nectarine, blueberries, orange, or some other fruit, maybe a small bit of almonds or mixed nuts in a container or some carrots. I Always always ALWAYS have fresh handy fruits and vegetables around. When you get home from the supermarket (hopefully the organic market, or the farmer's market of course!) chop up your veggies, put them in some water in a container in your fridge & you have them ready to rock when you are. Remember to store them in GLASS containers, and ditch the plastic crap we've all been using for years. (Check out Jillian Michaels' book "Master your Metabolism" to see what kinds of damage the chemicals in plastic are doing to our bodies and endocrine systems and you'll steer away from it for good!)

Protein Bars are good on the run, but ONLY if they're natural and not full of crap. Good ones are hard to find, believe me! Try the brand Elev8Me - they're a Canadian product with very few ingredients in them. Gluten, wheat, and dairy free, and some without any sugar (except naturally occurring). You can buy them at London Drugs, some health food stores, and of course, online. My fave is the Blueberry Cranberry GogiBerry Boost - check out the ingredients: Whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, almonds, apples, cranberries (cranberries, apple juice, sunflower oil), blueberries, goji berries. That's it. Awesome much?!! Here's their website:
http://www.prosnack.com/

LaraBars are also a quick easy snack. Less than 5 ingredients in them and lots of flavors. You can get them at Costco, organic stores, and drugstores. They don't have much in the way of protein but if you're starving on the go and need to grab something, pick one up instead of some dirty, chemically protein bar or muffin.

A great place to pick up lunch is actually Planet Organic. Instead of heading to Subway for high-fructose corn syrup bread and processed cured meats that cause cancer, liver and heart diseases (mmm!! Subway anyone?!), head to the deli at Planet Organic instead. If I ever need to stop and pick up lunch, I head there to grab a couple of lovely organic salads. Hale to the Kale is one of my faves, Beet and Fennel salad, Wild Rice and Pecan, and their vegan sweet potato salad is dee-lish! They've got something for everyone - some have meats in them, others are dairy free, gluten free, vegan...check it out. They'll even let you sample a taste before you buy it so you know you like it :-) Remember when buying organic that just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you - you still have to read your ingredients for things like excess sugar in its many forms.

I will also stop if I must at a regular supermarket to grab a veggie or fruit plate. If the fruit comes with a sugar dip, I just toss it out and eat the fruit - it doesn't need sugar. Hummus is great for dipping carrots and veggies (instead of ranch) but again - read the labels to make sure the hummus you're buying isn't just chemicals. Planet Organic also sells several types of delicious hummus and dips. Even Starbucks now has a fruit & cheese snack, and a veggie & hummus plate. I'll grab one there on a very rare occasion.

I don't ever go to fast food joints. They disgust me on so many levels - I cannot even begin to express how little respect I have for these establishments that actually make money of poisoning human beings. Even past that, as a vegetarian it's nearly impossible for me to find anything that isn't contaminated with meat in a fast food joint, there is absolutely nothing healthy at any fast food restaurant. The things that are sold as healthy options are loaded with sugar and junk, and are merely cheap, disgusting fuel that I don't give to my body, and neither should you. Your body is worth more than that. The other options I've already noted are just as easy, cost about the same, and best of all - I get actual nutrition from them - and after all - isn't giving your body nutrition the whole point of eating?