If extra time in a day could be purchased, Amazon would sell out.  Everyone is looking for extra time yet everyone is dealt the same 24 hours in a day.  Eating healthy tends to take some thought.  The key to eating healthy when you have no extra time is to plan for it when you do have extra time.  Here are three ways to plan for healthy eating for those days when time is short.

Pick one hour and prep.  It could be a Sunday afternoon or Friday after work.  Take at least one hour per week and prep a few meals or healthy snacksM_Musselman to save yourself from drive-thru meals later in the week.  In one hour, you can put chicken in the crockpot, wash and chop produce for snacks and meals, portion out nuts in snack bags, and prepare a 5-ingredient veggie brown rice to have with the chicken.  Your future self will thank you!

Don't forget to take meals with you!  Invest in a small insulated cooler or lunch bag.  Bring meals and snacks to work.  Avoid taking the kids to fast food between practices by bringing the cooler with turkey wraps and apple slices, or simple whole wheat bread and peanut butter with banana slices.  These No-Bake Protein Bars are a perfect on the go meal or snack.

Know your best options.  When dining out is a must, have 2 or 3 healthy options in mind.  At convenience stores healthy options include nuts, fruit, low fat milk, string cheese, some granola bars and yogurt.  At fast food restaurants, it's best to avoid the side of fries and sodas.  Opt for grilled chicken, a small cheeseburger or salad with grilled chicken.  Click here to view 7 fast food meals under 350 calories each.