Have a Healthy Summer: Preparing Healthy Foods When You're On-The-Go

First and foremost, let’s be clear:  Mobile Menus are not gourmet meals!  They are simple whole food combinations that provide enough nourishment to keep you from being so hungry that you make bad food choices in a moment of weakness.  This strategy simply requires you to spend a few minutes one evening or on the weekend creating several Mobile Menus and then stocking your fridge and pantry with the necessary supplies.  That way, when you are running 10 minutes late and you don’t have time to think, you will already have an on-the-go menu plan to fall back on.  A few of our family favorite mobile meal combinations include:  (1) apples, Baby Bell cheese and grass-fed beef sticks; (2) kiwi (slice it in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon), single serve FAGE yogurt with honey, and carrots; and (3) Bubbies brand dill pickles (a great probiotic food), red bell pepper slices and a plum.  All of these Mobile Menus can be tossed into an insulated bag on your way out the door.

1.  Plan Ahead.  As usual, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.   The BEST way to avoid the concession stand situation is to plan around it.  If you know you are going to be on the go at meal or prime snack time—pack your own whole food meal or snacks.  This can be done very easily—especially if you have plenty of grab and go fruits and veggies on hand in your refrigerator and pantry.  Just last week I was running late from work and I had to turn around quickly and get my son to a St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball game with his little league team.  There was no time to pack a full picnic basket.  Instead I grabbed 3 bottled waters, two bananas, an apple, and two plums and threw them in a small insulated bag.  It wasn’t enough for two meals, but it kept us from being so hungry that we made bad choices at the concession stand.

2.  Stock Survival Supplies. Another strategy, if you are already in the car and don’t have time to stop by your house, is to keep your car stocked with certain key survival supplies.  For instance, keep a stash of those better for you snack foods that we discussed last month in the car (dried fruit and whole grain snacks).  Other summer on-the-go car essentials include an insulated grocery bag, wet wipes, napkins and plastic silverware.  Then, when you find yourself in an on-the-go summer situation, you can pull into the nearest grocery store and buy a few things on your way.  You can grab pre-cut and washed fruits and veggies, dried fruit, nuts, single serving cheese and yogurt with honey and be on your way in just minutes.

3.  Make Mobile Meal Menus. Let’s be clear:  mobile menus are not gourmet meals!  These are simple combinations that provide enough to keep you from being so hungry that you make bad food choices in a moment of weakness.  Spend a few minutes one evening or on the weekend creating some regular Mobile Menus and then stock your fridge and pantry with the needed supplies.  Then, when you are running 10 minutes late and you don’t have to think, you will already have an on-the-go menu plan to fall back on.  A few of our favorite mobile meal combinations include (1) apples, with Baby Bell cheese and grass-fed beef sticks; (2) kiwi (slice it in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon), single serve FAGE yogurt with honey, and carrots and (3) Bubbies brand dill pickles (a great probiotic food), red bell pepper slices and a plum.  All of these Mobile Menus can be tossed into an insulated bag on your way out the door.

4.  Make the Best of It. This IS the “Get Real” tips column.  So, let’s get real and recognize that no matter how much you plan ahead, there will be moments when you are next in line for the soft pretzels.  When you find yourself in this situation, remain calm.  Do not throw in the towel and completely fall off the whole food diet wagon just because of one visit to the concession stand.  Instead, think outside the refined grain white bread bun.  For example, ask if they have any fruit, veggies or nuts.  They just might have some bananas or nuts that are served as ice cream toppings. You can also ask for some extra lettuce and tomatoes that are likely offered as “dressing” for the cheeseburgers and make your own salad.   Or, go with some protein and eat the hamburger or hot dog--but try to toss the white bread bun!