As a teacher, you are among the busiest individuals on the planet, and your rigorous schedules can often affect your nutrition. You need a well-planned eating plan because the food you eat will also impact your energy levels and productivity. Let’s dive into healthy -and easy, eating habits you can adopt and stick with this new year!
Breakfast in style!
Teachers almost always awake before the sun, and you may frequently work late. Breakfast is rightfully referred to as the "most essential meal of the day" for many reasons. Breakfast restores your glucose supply, boosts your energy and concentration, and sets you up for a successful day! Sadly, many people say they don't have time to make themselves a healthy breakfast in the morning, so they eat fast food or skip breakfast altogether. A new habit would be to get and prepare the night before, some simple, wholesome foods you can grab and consume on the go. Examples include fresh seasonal fruit, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt mixed with almonds and granola, or a nutritious smoothie for a healthy and filling breakfast.
Keep healthy snacks on hand.
Make sure you have nutritious snacks on hand when you’re feeling hungry throughout the day. Nutritionists say you should aim to eat 5 times a day to keep up your metabolism and energy. Make snack arrangements ahead of time by buying healthy snack foods at the grocery store, and fill your pantry -or even your desk, with these quick and healthy snack ideas:
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Mixed Nuts
- Hummus and Crackers
- Bread, crackers, and cereals made with whole grains
- Greek Yogurt
- Cheese & Charcuterie
Enjoy your power lunch!
For some teachers, lunch is your time away from their students for a few moments of Zen. Many like to unwind and eat in quiet, or debunk in the staffroom by finding a quiet corner to nibble and talk with co-teachers. But some days, you are obliged to oversee your classes at lunch, or you may not get the time you need to refuel your system. Whichever your schedule provides, save time and money by packing a healthy lunch the night before. Aim for foods that are high in proteins and nutrients, and are able to be eaten on-the-go, if necessary. Be sure to spoil yourself with a healthy dessert option too!
Prep your healthy dinners.
Some days can feel overly hectic. When you get home, you are likely not going to have the energy or the desire to prepare a large dinner, especially if you have papers to grade and classes to plan for the next day. Make it a habit to meal prep on the weekends and freeze the portions for the week. Also, a great investment is a slow cooker to make easy, hot, delicious, healthy meals. You will thank yourself later!
Choose Calorie-Free Drinks
Drinking coffee or tea throughout the day, and lots of water, is much better for you than sugar filled beverages or soda. A great idea is to keep a fruit flavor infuser and a water bottle in your classroom. You can refill it several times for naturally flavored water that won't add too many calories to your diet!
Consume a diverse diet -and reward yourself!
More nutrients are included in your diet when you eat a larger variety of foods. Aim for multiple colors when adding meats, fish, fruits and veggies to your meals. Don't get burned out eating the same foods over and over. Variety is the spice of life -and food! That being said, go ahead and indulge in a slice of cheesecake or a slice of pizza every now and then. You can use it as a reward for sticking with all your new habits!
Conclusion
Choose to create healthy -and easy, eating habits you can adopt and stick with this new year! Although it may seem like a daunting task, by following these simple practices daily you may see improvement in your overall health, and maintain your energy and well-being for your busy days with your students!
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