Healthy Eating On The Go Without Fast Food Guilt – Kids Edition ~By Handful AmBadassador Eileen Delatorre
(Eileen pictured wearing the Bound & Determined Bra and Squeeze Play Leggings)
Healthy Eating On The Go Without Fast Food Guilt - Kids Edition
By AmBadassador Eileen Delatorre
I’m a wife, I’m a yogi, I’m a DANCE MOM! I promise I’m not one of those crazy dance moms from that TV show, but I am that mom who is on the go ALL.THE.TIME. Between 2 girls, we’re at the studio for up to 4 hours an evening for classes, mixed in with breaks for dinner and homework- and that’s 5 days a week. We’re in our second year of working with this kind of busy after-school competitive dance schedule and it took me some time to figure out how to fit healthy eating into the mix.
There are so many fast food options down the street from the studio which can be so tempting when you realize haven’t brought enough snacks, you have to stay later than expected, or your kids are just extra hungry. Being prepared is half the battle and keeps you from giving in to junk foods. I’m sharing tips for what works for my family but really, these tips can be used for ANYONE wanting stress free healthy eating on the go without fast food guilt.
1. Keep Your Kitchen Stocked
Being on the go with your kids doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice real, healthy food, but planning ahead is KEY. Opening your pantry or fridge and knowing you always have healthy throw-in-your-bag snacks available will make eating healthy so much easier! At the minimum, I always make sure I have staples such as fresh fruits & veggies, cheese sticks, nuts & applesauce.
2. Kids Help Prep Their Snacks
My children are so much more likely to eat something if they’ve helped make it! They love to help make protein smoothies and create their own trail mix but their absolute favorite minimal-assistance recipe is No-Bake Energy Bites.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup ground flax or chia seed
1/2 cup nut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl; form into balls using your hands. Arrange energy bites on a baking sheet and freeze until set, about 1 hour.
3. Containers
Think GRAB AND GO for your perishables! If you’ve filled a container with your fruits & veggies, dips, sandwiches, etc. and have it waiting for you in the fridge… first you pat yourself on the back for having it ready, then you just grab and go! Having a container filled with healthy foods can help save you time, money, and it absolutely helps reduce the stress of figuring out what to eat as you head out the door.
4. On the Go Bags Filled with Whole Food Snacks
I keep a bag ready to go for pre-packaged whole food snacks from the pantry. Since these aren’t perishables, the bag can be left on the counter for the next day, or even left in the car if I know it won’t be hot. Some of our favorites that are thrown in the bag are raisins, applesauce, Lara Bars, nuts, fruit leather and pretzels. If you tell me you’re hungry, I’ll hand you the bag!
5. Dinner in a Thermos!
For longer evenings when I know my kids will be hungrier for more than snacks, I bring their dinner in a thermos! Soup, pasta and beans & rice are my top picks for hot meals on the go. Just be sure you’ve packed utensils so your kids can actually eat it. Don’t be THAT mom (#ivebeenthatmom).
Written by Handful AmBadassador Eileen Delatorre. You can learn more about Eileen and her personal journey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileendelatorre/
