Eat Right on the Go! – Guest Post from Rachel Hamrick, On the Fly Fitness

Like many women, I wear so many hats. I am a mom, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a business owner, a confidant, a partner, a chauffer, a referee, a housekeeper (although not a good one), a chef (REALLY not a good one) and a fitness nut.

Most days I am trying to keep all the balls in the air while attempting to raise 3 boys (ages 6, 5 and 3), nourish my relationship with my husband, keep myself and my family fit and healthy and have as much fun as possible along the way!

Needless to say I am always looking for quick and healthy snacks to grab and go and stash away so that I always have a healthy option and don’t need to attack the vending machine.  How many of you have eaten somewhere other than at your table or in a restaurant this week?  I know I have. The car, my desk, even in the shower.

So, here are a few tips for making snacking on the go as easy as possible:

1. Buy single-serve packs or, for the environmentally friendly, small reusable plastic containers to store snacks.
2. Keep non-perishable snacks in your car and handbag/briefcase.
3. Be prepared and get creative—preparation is the key to success in almost everything related to weight loss and healthy eating.  Bad decisions are made when you are in a rush with no alternatives!
4. Don’t reinvent the wheel—as my son would say, “Just Google it, Mom.”  You don’t have to come up with ideas for snacks on your own. Do a search; there are lots of great resources.

Some of my favorites:

1. Emerald brand roasted almonds (in 100 calorie packs and larger jars). These are my absolute favorite and come in a variety of flavors including Cinnamon Roasted and Cocoa Roasted. The best part is that they’re shelf stable and last forever! (And by “forever,” I mean “at least a year,” according to information from Blue Diamond Almonds.)
2. Apples with peanut or almond butter. You can even get individual sized peanut butters in a to-go pack.
3. Homemade trail mix. Toss in nuts, small amounts of dried fruit, cereal…get creative!
4. Snack-size Greek yogurt.
5. Wheat thins (you can buy 100 calorie packs) and string cheese.
6. Hummus and sliced veggies or whole wheat pita chips.
7. High-protein cereal (like Kashi Go Lean Crunch).
8. Anything you like to eat that contains a good amount of nutrients, fewer than 250 calories and 2g of saturated fat.

Remember that preparation might take time now, but it saves time, worry and extra pounds down the line!

Check out my blog, On the Fly Fitness (www.ontheflyfitness.com) for more tips & advice about how to find fitness that fits your life.