5 Tips to Keep a Healthy Eating Routine - Even When You're Busy

The new school year is among us, which means busy days juggling kids, work and home life.  The key to keeping calm in the chaos?  Find a routine that doesn't actually feel like a routine.  Here are five tips to help you stay on track this year.

1.  ORGANIZE & STOCK THE PANTRY

A well organized and stocked pantry makes weekday meals easier.  We recommend making sure you have a variety of pasta shapes, rice, stock, canned tomatoes, beans and fish on hand. In the freezer, make sure to have versatile frozen vegetables like green beans and broccoli that help you switch between American style casseroles to Asian easily. And of course, always keeping some frozen chicken tenders and fish in stock helps! From this simple list you can make everything from a quick tuna pasta salad to quick fried rice.

2. STOCK UP ON HEALTHY SNACKS

Everyone in your home must eat multiple times a day! Prioritize making this healthy and enjoyable, even when you're on the go.  Stock up on healthy snacks in the cupboard and the freezer so you can keep going even when you're about to run out of gas. MORE Cookie Smart Fuel Fibre is a great healthy snack to keep in the cupboard, and with four varieties there's a treat or for everyone in the family. 

3. CHOP THESE VEGGIES ON SUNDAY

Sundays are great to meal prep for the week, but if you can't use your Sunday to make a few advance meals, use it to chop veggies to make weeknight meals faster.  Always have containers of chopped carrots, celery, and onions. Throw them into salads, use in a casserole, or as a base for quick fried rice or weeknight stew. 

4. HAVE SNACK BAGS READY IN THE FRIDGE 

Put those brown paper bags to use by having snack bags in the fridge!  Inside stock some baggies of nuts or seeds, some cheese, a MORE Cookie, and some dried fruit.  With the snack bag ready to go, it's easy to have a healthy snack before games or while running errands! 

5.  DIVERSIFY YOUR BASE INGREDIENTS

Cooking a fast meal is easier when you understand how spices and condiments can totally change a simple ingredient.  Spaghetti can transform from a Japanese style soup to Chinese Lo Mein, to of course a traditional Italian pasta.  The more you get acquainted with the varied way to use ingredients, the more ideas you'll have to make an easy meal that keeps things tasty and unique.