Did you pack a lunch for yourself today? Did you pack one for your kids (or did they pack one for themselves)? I’m a huge advocate for meal planning and home lunch. But if you aren’t considering what your body needs, your pack-lunch might not be as healthy as you think.
Do you need more than lunch?
It’s back to school time and the other night I was helping my son get ready for his first day of school. He’s a 16-year-old athlete who is going to be away from the house 13 hours most days. So the stereotypical packed lunch isn’t going to be enough. He has a cooler with ice packs so that he can essentially bring three meals with him. Because that is how much he needs to be able to keep his energy going for the day.
We don’t always consider just how long we’re away from home. So we pack a quick meal thinking that will last us for eight, ten, or sometimes 16 hours. When you away from your home for an extended period of time every day, you need to plan ahead. That means taking the right quantity of food
and
the right quality.
Your version of healthy food might not be healthy for you
What does it mean when you say that you’re going to pack a healthy lunch? We’ve been told to eat low fat, low carb, whole grains, green smoothies, and raw foods. But if your body isn’t responding, then maybe it’s time to listen to it. And if you’re not quite sure what your body is trying to tell you, try asking these three questions the next time you’re packing your lunch…
- “What is my plan for the day?” How many meals would you be eating if you were at home? In the case of my son who’s gone for 13 hours, it’s three meals. It’s a big window of time and a lot of food to plan for. If your day involves going to the gym, heading to work, and then driving your kids around to their activities before finally heading home, that’s a long window of time involving periods of different energy levels that need different types of fuel. So before you throw things in your lunchbox, think about what your day entails.
- “What makes me feel tired or bloated after I eat it?” The other day, after we grabbed some fast food, my daughter asked, “Why does eating this make me tired?” It makes you tired because your body is saying “Slow down while I try to figure out how to digest this.” Pay attention to the food that makes you sleepy, and the food that makes you bloated or gassy. Your body is communicating with you.
- “Why am I eating?” My son is eating to fuel himself for football practice or because it’s the middle of his school day and his brain needs a boost. Part of the lunch he packed was a “salad” that is pretty much a dessert. And that’s awesome. I was happy to make it. But we also talked about when to eat it. You eat something that’s loaded with carbs after gym or football when he’s drained his muscles of all their energy. What are you fueling your body for?
Eating healthy is not as simple or as complicated as we make it. It comes down to fueling your body for the lifestyle you live, or want to live.
If you’re ready to create a healthier lifestyle where you understand what “healthy” is for you, talk to me about
my “Revive” program. This six-month, group-coaching program launches on September 6th and it will show you how to release the pressures you’re surrounded by and reclaim your body!
