Busy? Stay Fueled the Healthy Way

Hey Friends! How’s it goin?

Welcome to the new design of Diary of an ExSloth!

After the responses to the rename/rebrand post I last month I decided to stick with the current name but do an overhaul of the blog. I’m pretty excited about all the changes I’ve made so far and the stuff that’s left to come. I’ve still got some work to do to make everything look the way I want, but I couldn’t wait another second to share it with you 😀

And, as always, I’d love your input on the changes. Anyway, onto the good stuff:

Being busy and eating healthy

It’s that time again…exam time. Usually exam season is a blur of caffeine and junk food filled all nighters. This year my exam schedule is pretty spaced out, so I’ve been avoiding the bad habits. But I know that many aren’t faring as well.

To be honest, students aren’t the only ones who fall victim to that kind of diet when they’re crunched for time. When I was working last Fall I fell into the trap of grabbing whatever was convenient when I was busy, especially for breakfast and snacks. And we all know that convenience doesn’t always align with healthy 😕

Whether you’re a student taking midnight study breaks at the vending machine, a professional grabbing breakfast to go at McDonalds or a SAHM reaching for that bag of chips during nap-time, I’ve got news for you: There’s a healthier way to stay fueled and energized when you’re busy and on the go.

4 Ways to Avoid Unhealthy Eating When you’re Busy

 

1. Eat Breakfast

Your body will thank you for starting off your day with a proper breakfast. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy like eggs Benedict or pancakes. Think smoothies, oatmeal, whole grain toast or bagels with peanut butter. You can prep all of those in under 5 minutes and not take too much time away from your busy schedule.

And if you’re down for pre-planning, you can make things like muffins or egg cups the night or weekend before so you can just grab and go.

2. Plan Meals & Snacks

If you eat regularly, you’re a lot less likely to end up at the nearest fast food joint when hunger gets the best of you. Your meals don’t have to be anything fancy, just nutritious. Make sure you have healthy ingredients on hand to whip up something simple, like pasta or sandwiches. And if you’re a planner, you can prep meals that just need to be reheated.

Along the same lines, stocking up on healthy snacks will help you avoid the vending machines when you get the munchies. A chocolate bar or bag of chips might satisfy you for a few minutes but balanced snacks like apples + PB, dates + almonds or veggies + hummus will keep you energized for the long haul.

3. Limit your caffeine

I know, I know. It seems counter productive to stay away from caffeine when you’re pulling an all nighter but hear me out. Yes caffeine can give you an immediate energy boost but the effects are very short term. If you drink too much coffee or energy drinks, eventually you’ll start to feel jittery, restless and irritable which isn’t a great trade-off in my books.

Stay away from the energy drinks altogether and try to limit your intake to 2 cups of coffee a day. If you need more try caffeinated teas. They tend to have less caffeine than coffee and you’ll sneak in some antioxidants as well. 

4. Stay Hydrated with Water

Did you know that dehydration can make you feel sluggish, light-headed and tired?

Picture this: You’re studying and not drinking enough water so you’re dehydrated. That makes you feel tired so you reach for the pot of coffee for a little energy. But coffee is a diuretic so it makes you dehydrated and eventually even more tired. So you reach for the coffee pot again. 😯

It’s a viscous, viscous cycle that can be avoided by drinking more water. Aim for half your weight in ounces of water everyday to avoid the symptoms of dehydration. And try to stay away from sugar filled sodas and juices. All you’re doing with those is filling up on empty calories.

What about you?

How do you eat healthy when you’re busy with exams or life in general?

Any thoughts, suggestions or comments about the new design?

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