How do you balance eating well with a busy work and family life?
In today's fast-paced world, juggling family responsibilities and a hectic work schedule can often make maintaining a healthy lifestyle seem like a daunting task. However, with a strategic approach and a focus on prioritizing wellbeing, it's possible to strike a balance between a demanding job, a brood of children and sustaining a consistently healthy lifestyle.
One of the key elements in managing a healthy lifestyle is preparation and meal planning. Taking a few minutes each week to plan meals for the family can help ensure that everyone gets the nutrients they need to thrive. By ensuring you include each of the following four food groups into each meal means you will be hitting all your macronutrients that your body so needs – proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and plant fibre. Preparing meals in advance or utilising batch cooking can save time during the week and reduce the temptation of opting for convenient, but less nutritious, fast food options.
Incorporating a diverse range of foods not only adds excitement to meals but also provides essential vitamins and minerals. Encourage the family to explore new recipes together, making cooking a fun and collaborative activity. This not only promotes healthier eating habits but also fosters family bonding. Delegating meal prep, or even the whole meal on some nights, to different family members (as long as they are old enough to safely do this!) takes the strain off one person and also teaches new skills and creativity to those cooking. Too many cooks didn’t spoil the broth, in fact it was rather fun!
Snacking is often where many individuals falter in their quest for a balanced diet. Instead of reaching for sugary or processed snacks, keep a variety of healthy options readily available. Fresh fruits, vegetables with hummus, a handful of nuts, and a couple squares of dark chocolate can be satisfying alternatives that provide essential nutrients without compromising health. Preparing homemade non-refined snacks that you can store for up to a week or freeze, such as oaty bars or energy balls, can be a saving grace to prevent reaching for processed sugary snacks.
Finding time for physical activity may seem challenging, but integrating exercise into your daily routine can be more manageable than you think. Consider family-friendly activities such as evening walks, weekend hikes, or even quick home workouts. Exercise really can be as simple as a mat in your living room and 30 minutes of your time. By involving the family, you not only make exercise a collective effort but also instil healthy habits in children from an early age.
Hydration is another critical aspect of overall wellbeing, and keeping hydrated prevents those feeling of fatigue which may reduce your motivation to move more and eat well. Encourage everyone in the family to drink an adequate amount of water each day. Opting for water instead of sugary drinks and juice helps maintain hydration levels, supports gut health, and contributes to overall health.
While work commitments may be demanding, it's crucial to establish boundaries and create dedicated family time. Use mealtimes as an opportunity to turn off your work emails and connect with loved ones and discuss the day's events. This not only reinforces the importance of family but also promotes mindful eating, which increases absorption of essential nutrients.
Finally, setting realistic goals is key to sustaining a healthy lifestyle amid a busy schedule. Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on making gradual changes that are achievable and sustainable in the long run. Celebrate small victories and acknowledge that progress, no matter how incremental, is a step in the right direction.
Have you been struggling to find the balance? Get in touch for a free consultation where I can lay out a personalised plan for you to optimise your health, whilst taking into account your children, your partner, your job, your dog, your nosy neighbour, and the rest!
