When preparing food can be tedious and time-consuming when balancing a busy schedule, it can be challenging to prioritize eating healthy – especially around back-to-school season.

Despite the challenges, with just a little planning, there are many ways to make healthy eating simple, convenient, and delicious.

Here are 6 tips for eating healthy on the go:

1. Plan Well When Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping with a plan is one of the best strategies when you want to have healthy meals on the go. Too often we find ourselves rushing out the door with no healthy options in the cabinet or fridge to grab, but by making the right choices starting at grocery shopping, you will create many more options for healthy snacks on the go.

Here are some great options to add to your grocery list for easier meal preparation:

• Eggs
• Whole wheat bread
• Salad ingredients
• Vegetables
• Broth
• Canned beans
• Nuts and seeds
• Your choice of protein
• Fresh fruits
• Dried fruits

2. Be Mindful of Sodium and Sugar Levels in Pre-Packaged Foods

While pre-packaged meals are quick and convenient when you are short on time, these options are often much less healthy than you think. It is beneficial to look at nutritional labels when considering a pre-packaged meal because many boxed foods are high in sugar and sodium. Even “healthier” versions of pre-packaged foods contain these ingredients, so it is usually more nutritionally beneficial to prepare your own meals as you have control over the ingredients.

3. Meal Prep in Advance

Although prepping your meals in advance can seem like a drag, you can save yourself huge amounts of time by designating an afternoon for washing, chopping, cooking, and separating into containers. When you have healthy options that are convenient to grab when walking out the door, you won’t have to worry about getting all of your nutrients throughout the day.

Some easy snacks and food items to prepare in advance include:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Carrots, celery, and hummus
• Chopped and portioned salad ingredients that you can add protein to later
• Rice and bean bowls
• Smoothies and cold-pressed juices

4. Prepare Meals Using a Crock Pot

Crock pots are an excellent tool for the lazy chef who doesn’t want to spend too much time preparing food. Using a slow cooker allows you to make a one-pot meal that you throw together in the morning and is ready for you later that day. The best part is that you only have to put in the effort once to achieve multiple portions of a nutritious, flavorful meal. Stews, soups, and casseroles are great meal options to make in a crock pot.

5. Consider Meal Delivery Services

While meal delivery services can be costly, they can be an incredibly convenient option for eating healthy on the move. You can save yourself time worrying about what to bring with you for lunch knowing you can get a healthy meal delivered right to wherever you are. Applications like Grubhub and DoorDash can access most of your favorite restaurants, allowing you to purchase healthy foods you love from wherever you are.

6. Avoid Misconceptions About What Is Healthy

With so much nutritional information available to us, it can be difficult to filter through and determine what is true and relevant to your healthy lifestyle. A major myth is that the simplest meal of all, the sandwich, is unhealthy and unfulfilling. And while a loaded PB&J is more sugary than anything, just like all aspects of life, it is what you make it! So, no matter what simple meal you want to make, choosing nutritionally-dense ingredients can be an excellent easy option. Elect for a high-quality bread, such as whole-grain, and fill it with natural ingredients like spinach, lean meat, tomato, and some pepper.

You can eat healthy at home and on the move, if you plan your grocery shopping well, dedicate time for meal preparation, and keep nutritionally-dense options available for you to grab when running out the door. If you are ready to improve your nutritional habits and enjoy the benefits of healthy eating, check out Outrun Gravity for more advice!