“Busy” has become a common way for people to describe their day, week, and how they're doing. We get it. It’s harder to prioritize healthy eating when feeling overwhelmed and busy through the week. Your schedule may not be changing anytime soon, but we wanted to share a few easy ways to eat healthy with a busy schedule. 

1. Spend time meal prepping each week

 Did you know the average American spends 6-7 hours in the kitchen each week? You’ll be amazed at the time you save when you prep your meals and cook ahead of time. Designate an afternoon to prepare a few meals for the week, and simply pre-package to make it easy to grab healthy meals on-the-go. 

2. Stick to your grocery list

Start with a plan for which meals you plan to cook for the week. Looking for new, healthy recipes to add to your mix? Look here. Whether you do your grocery shopping in-person or online, make a list beforehand. This will help you think through the ingredients you need and fight the temptation to throw unhealthy foods in your cart. You’ll also notice you start limiting the number of trips to the grocery store when you have a meal plan for your week. 

3. Keep healthy snacks available

We've all experienced the dreaded mid-day slump. Low energy. Low motivation. The type of food you eat plays an important role in your energy-level day-to-day. By having healthy snacks on-hand, you can ensure you’ll get the energy and nourishment you need through the day. Check out these easy plant-based snack recipes to help boost your energy and fight the mid-day slump. You'll be surprised how quick they are to make too. By making simple diet changes like this, you'll experience more energy, a better mood, and reduced levels of anxiety and stress throughout the day.

Did you know Whole Harvest offers snacks on their weekly menu? Check it out..

4. Get plant-based meals delivered

Looking for a break from the kitchen? We all need one. Whole-food plant-based meal subscriptions are also easy ways to limit the meal prepping through the week and guarantee superfood ingredients in each meal. Fresh, never frozen meals delivered to your door each week. 

5. Keep these ingredients on-hand

A can of beans, a handful of nuts, a prepackaged bag of salad or veggies, all make great additions to any meal. These foods are easy to find and high in protein, fiber, and phytonutrients. Herbs and spices are also great ways to spice up any meal. 

6. Eat healthier at restaurants 

While it may feel impossible to find healthier menu items at certain restaurants, train yourself to look for dishes with lots of vegetables, whole grains, and minimal oil. Local to Kansas City? Check out Whole Harvest’s grab-and-go location to try new items on the menu (414 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO).