Apron vs. Reality: Part 2October 28, 2010
On Monday of this week I listed some great eats that I enjoy grabbing while on the run. While eating whole fresh foods is always the best choice, unless we live in a tropical paradise, frolic barefoot, wear loin clothes, and pick your fruit daily, it’s probably not going to happen as consistently as we dream. I think it is very necessary for all of us to be reminded that being healthy is a chain of tiny decisions made throughout our lifetimes. The best outcome is for you to know at the end of the day, you have made more good decisions than bad when it comes to eating and exercising. After chatting with friends and family for many years, what I’ve gathered is that most of us beat ourselves up and think we’ve “ruined” our healthy endeavors just because we ate candy for lunch, ice cream for dinner, or went buck wild at a weekend barbeque.
People always seem surprised when I tell them that I’ve done the same thing many times. I go through little phases of eating nothing but cheese eggs for dinner for a few days, or “finding” a bag of Halloween candy that just shouldn’t go to waste, so I accidentally end up subsisting off of chocolate for a meal until the bag is finished. Indulgence is natural and human. It’s how you react to it that matters most on your journey to health. After a choco-fest, I tend to feel rather ill and crave water, greens, and any fresh plant I can get my hands on to balance out all the sugar rushing through my veins. Learn to listen to your body after these episodes and you’ll find the answer that is right for you.
Following are snacks to satisfy you while on the road. I’ve highlighted one WaWa gas station (it’s a crazy name, I know), one Starbucks, and one CVS Pharmacy. Gas stations and Starbucks are found along all of our major highways/turnpikes, and pharmacies are usually peppered through any semblance of a town at this point in time. When I’m hungry and out of the trail mix and fruit that are usually found in my glove compartment, these three establishments carry the best fast healthy fare to make it to my next meal.
*Before we get started, please note that I am not a dietitian by any stretch of the imagination, so take my suggestions as you would those of a friend, not a certified expert*
Naked smoothies are found in most major grocery stores and gas station chains these days. This was found at WaWa. These are all fruit, but SUPER high in sugar. But it's much better than drinking a soda because it's fruit sugar, not empty sugar. Drink it.
I like to dilute the smoothies with a little water. Even if I just use it as a chaser. I make it a rule to buy a bottle of water to dilute any prepackaged fruit juice or smoothie that I buy. Drink it. Hydration is good, and most of us are ridiculously dehydrated these days anyway. Your body may not even be craving a snack or food as much as it wants pure liquid. Soda does not count.
Whole fruit! Many gas stations now have little refrigerated sections where they carry whole fruit and cut up fruit like carrots and celery with salad dressing to dip them in. I'll admit that sometimes the produce looks pretty pathetic and wilted, but make an effort to pick through the selection.
Here are two items I always look for in gas stations.
mainly because the ingredient list is short and I can spell every word from memory. I know my body appreciates the absence of chemicals and crazy preservatives that have no business hanging out in my bloodstream.
Now for one of my favorite sweet gas station healthy treats...
Wait for it...
Going, going...
Gone.
Moving right along to my favorite fast food joint. And I don't even drink coffee.
You know you're in good hands when the napkins spell it out for you. Starbucks has an excellent array of fresh healthy goodies in their refrigerated section.
We'll start with beverages. I'm a sucker for anything organic. It means no chemicals. Water would have been a better staple, but sometimes I need something tastier. This is MUCH better than drinking soda to satisfy a sweet drink craving while driving.
Hello deliciousness
All I can state about this is: If you don't know, you better ask somebody. Dark cherry yogurt with granola crunch? It is the truth. Eat it.
Dried organic fruit.
These were actually quite delicious. Even if they do look not so delicious.
I really have a thing for KIND bars. Eating one is a great way to add some protein to your snack. I usually get one of these with the yogurt cup when I need a serious snack.
And last but not least, we have what most may consider a very unlikely place to find healthy road fare.
But these bad boys completely change the game.
Short, sweet, and to the point.
Find a bag. Do your best not to eat them all in one sitting. Fail miserably. Repeat.
I jest about the eating the bag in one sitting. But be warned it’s a difficult feat to avoid the empty bag. I know this post was quite lengthy, but if you found even one item that may help you on your journey to health, then I’m happy.
QUESTIONS:
Have you tried any of these snacks or places to fuel up on healthy fare? Which are your favorites?
Happy Halloween, and be safe out there!
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