This blog post is in partnership with Farmer’s Fridge. Thanks for supporting projects that make Nutrition Happen!
It’s here: the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Temperatures have dropped (well, at least here in Chicago!) which means it’s the start of hibernation season.
I’m kidding, we’re not always in hibernation when it gets cold (although, you know there’s some truth to this!) but let’s be real here: it’s easy to have a “forget it!” mentality during the holiday season when it comes to mindful habits. I’m a fan of making goals, but part of having a healthy mindset is being able to accept when plans don’t go accordingly. The key is setting REALISTIC goals that you can meet, even after the busy holiday season.
Remember, small habits = big changes over time.
Here are five realistic ways to stay on track and make nutrition happen during any busy season:
- Choose Wholesome and Delicious Food Options While On the Run.
When you’re on the go looking for holiday gifts, don’t stress about where your next meal or snack will come from. Just know where to look and what to look for when you making food choices while out. A great rule of thumb is to consider the quality of food choices – think more nutrient dense, whole foods first and fewer foods that have empty nutrients (and oftentimes, lots of added sugar).
Have you seen Farmer’s Fridges around Chicago? The locations are all over downtown and it’s bringing new meaning to food on the go. The automated Fridges are stocked with salads and meals that are handmade daily. I love that they are packaged in a portable, reusable jar! I find that the jars are perfect for reusing and storing leftovers, too.
2. Stay hydrated.
I know – easier said than done, right? One of the most basic nutrition tips, but I know every dietitian will agree and repeat: it’s important and it HELPS. The cold weather is notorious for leaving us with dry skin since the water in our skin evaporates more quickly in low humidity, but staying hydrated helps. You know that feeling when your lips are cracked that even your best chapstick can’t salvage the desert that is your lips? It’s easily preventable by staying hydrated. My suggestion is to keep a water bottle you love around at all times (making it readily available can trick you into drinking more) or better yet, get a bottle that doubles with a fruit infuser. Yes, sparkling water can count too – so drink up!
- Pack emergency grab and go snacks.
The worst feeling is being hangry (or in science terms, when our blood sugar drops = energy drops) in situations where there are no food options available. Pre-portioned almonds, nut butter packs, fruit, pre-cut vegetables – or even hard-boiled eggs make great snacks throughout the day. Stock up on lots of grab and go snacks on the weekends and make it a habit to throw them into your bag in the morning as you walk out the door. One of my favorite grab and go snacks is the chocolate trail mix from Farmer’s Fridge – you’ll always find a jar in any one of my bags! It’s definitely one of my emergency 4 p.m. snacks during and after the holiday season.
- Keep meals simple – but fill it with color.
When choices feel overwhelming, just make it a goal to fill your meals for the day with color from different fruits and vegetables! The various colors in fruits and vegetables provide a handful of necessary vitamins and minerals. So if choices seem overwhelming, aim to choose simpler options that focuses on variety. In the Farmers Fridge kitchen, located in the heart of the West Loop, all menu options are made to be simple yet nutritious, and you can see that in the clear jar when you’re making your selection!
- Don’t eat and multitask.
I know we’re busy and as much as we love to multi-task, setting aside 30 minutes to sit down and actually enjoy a meal makes a big difference in the way we digest food. Several studies have suggested that eating while distracted can lead to overeating. Nutrition is important, but remember that eating great food is meant to be enjoyable experience. Being mindful about your meals help you feel more satisfied and by slowing down chewing, you’re helping your food digest better.
The ingredients used at Farmer’s Fridge are sourced as local and organic as possible, so I know I’m getting tons of colorful, fresh, and nutrient dense vegetables every time I visit. The fridges are temperature-regulated and stocked every morning from Monday to Friday. And, any unsold items are donated to local food pantries! We often think of fast food with a negative perspective, but this is a perfect example of when it’s both convenient and healthy (and the flavors are amazing!) There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options available that you can order and take with you to-go.
My Farmer’s Fridge favorites:
Breakfast: pineapple chia pudding
Salads: crunchy thai with chicken, shrimp succotash
Snacks: chocolate trail mix
Dishes: salmon nicoise
