Editor's Note: We had a chance to sit down and chat with former NFL football player and current television star, Michael Strahan, who was kind enough to share with us his tips on balancing fitness, nutrition and motivation while leading a busy life. We'll be sharing his best tips in this ongoing series, "A Minute with Michael."
At SparkPeople, we believe that it's important to keep healthy eating a priority, especially if you're constantly on the go. Healthy food helps give you the boost of energy you need to help you feel your best and get through a demanding day. You might think you're too busy to consistently eat well, but it really is possible to fit in positive, impactful habits in minimal time. Take it from Michael Strahan, who always tries to make nutrition a priority--even in between endless travel and television appearances. When it comes to eating right, Michael says, "Preparation is key. Don’t let yourself get caught without a healthy snack on hand. You never know when you might be stuck in traffic or held up at a meeting. When you’re hungry, your mind is not in the mood to make good decisions. It wants to make the easy decision—and a lot of times, it ends up being something that’s not great for you."
So, how do you avoid making that "easy" decision? Simple: Make eating healthy the easy decision! When you arm yourself with good-for-you snacks at all times, there's never an excuse to hit the drive-thru or office vending machine.
When it comes to choosing a good snack, Michael says, ''One of the reasons I like using Meta products is because they have multihealth benefits. When I grab a Meta Health Bar, I’m not just getting fiber; I’m also helping to promote my digestive health and helping to satisfy hunger as a healthy snack.''
Take a page out of Michael's playbook and prepare to succeed with one of these 20 on-the-go healthy snacks:
- Pair a handful of raw almonds with a piece of fruit for a snack that's rich in fiber and healthy fats.
- Throw a Meta Health BarTM in your briefcase or gym bag and experience a delicious way to boost your daily fiber intake.
- Make your own trail mix by combining your favorite whole-grain cereal with a sprinkling of nuts, seeds and dried fruit in a plastic baggie.
- In a small container or jar, make a parfait with low-fat yogurt, granola and fresh berries.
Pair whole-grain crackers with an ounce of your favorite cheese.- Spoon a few tablespoons of peanut butter or hummus into the bottom of a jar with a lid. Slice up some celery sticks and put them in the jar. Screw on the lid to grab and go!
- Blend up a fruit smoothie with frozen fruit, milk and a handful of spinach. Take it with you in a to-go cup.
- Melt a slice of low-fat cheese inside a folded mini whole-grain tortilla.
- Top a batch of air-popped popcorn with your favorite seasoning and seal it in a plastic baggie.
- Make half a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread for a double whammy of fiber and protein.
- Bake your own healthy veggie chips and transport them in a plastic baggie or container.
- Mix ranch seasoning with Greek yogurt to make a protein-packed veggie dip.
- Wrap a low-fat string cheese with deli turkey slices to satisfy a savory craving.
- Take a plastic baggie of raw veggies and whole-wheat pita chips to dunk in hummus.
- Roast a batch of veggies and pack in a container. Drizzle with dressing or sauce of your choice.
- Slice a hard-boiled egg to eat with whole-grain crackers.
- Top two rice cakes with your favorite nut butter. Place banana slices in between the two rice cakes to make a sandwich.
- Pair beef jerky with a piece of fruit for a sweet and salty snack.
- Top a few multi-grain crackers with canned tuna and pickle slices.
- Whip up a Blueberry Flax Microwave Muffin in minutes to take with you for later.
What's your favorite healthy snack to help satisfy your hunger on the go?
