Tricks for better Eating/Sleeping Habits

[KiranA]

I find my schedule gets shot to hell during the school year and as much as I try, I end up eating crap food. Does anyone have any foolproof methods of eating well when time is limited as is energy? Getting to sleep on time would be nice too.

For example, today, I had leftover take out pizza for lunch and then 1/4 a bag of Doritos for dinner. Around midnight, I was still up and hungry, so I had really expensive, tasty soft cheese on crackers and now I should be sleeping but I feel gross. Sigh.

[Steven Edwards]

Have apples and grape tomatoes around as snacks. They're quick, healthy items that require little-to-no preparation to enjoy.

[fuentejps]

protein shake for late night hunger, preferably casien[sp]. prep chicken breasts on your days off and then freeze. dethaw and add a bag of steamfresh veggies, perfect and stupid easy

[-scott-]

Lots of ideas out there, but I make smoothies all the time.

1 cup milk
1 banana
1 cup yogurt
+ enough frozen fruit (berries/etc) to fill the blender to 32oz or so.

Energy: I keep a stash of Clif Bars around if I need something & there's no time to prep.

[NoDecafPlz]

YES!

Potatoes are cheap and will keep. Buy a whole bunch so when you need something quick, you nuke a baked potato for 4-6 minutes and put whatever you like on it!

I do smart balance butter substitute, hot sauce and honey BBQ sauce all
together!

De-lish!

[chick]

1. ELIMINATE TEMPTATION. DON'T BUY JUNK FOOD and DON'T KEEP CRAP foods in your house.
2. Make a shopping list and STICK TO IT. Helps reduce temptation to browse and buy junk. And as they say, DON'T SHOP HUNGRY.
3. DON'T DRINK YOUR MEALS. You will feel less full while gulping down lots of calories, mostly unnecessary.
4. Snack on HIGH VOLUME - LOW calorie foods. If craving munchies or need to eat for quick energy boost, any Fruits and Veggies are good choices. They can be quick and easy to pack and go. Beside the usual apples, pears, etc. Baby carrots are very low cal. and sweet, and sold in small bags to go. Sweet potatoes are easy to pre-baked/nuke and hold up chilled or at room temp to pack 'n go (leave skin on). Natural or LIGHT Popcorn (air-popper is also good, and can sprinkle lil popcorn salt and/or parmesan cheese for added flavor).
5. etc.

Not having time doesn't mean you can't make better choices or create your own healthy options. Just PREPARE things in advance and try not to give in to temptation. BUT, don't be so restrictive that you start craving junk even more. Indulge every once in awhile. But even with indulgences, you can make it better - eg. if craving a latte, make it nonfat (or 2% if you must), and hold the whipped cream, etc. Choose non-fat fruit yogurts instead of fruit parfait.

I'm terrible with sleeping, but the one thing I know you should do to get more and better sleep, is to get to sleep at a regular/consistent time. Make your body adjust to a schedule. Eliminate or reduce the noise and distraction that prevents you from sleep, such as watching tv, or eating and caffeine, or any other stimulants.

[stephen212]

I endorse Chick's first two suggestions. However, I think drinking quality protein shakes as a drinkable meal is an outstanding alternative*. (I'm partial to EAS Myoplex Lite vanilla powder packets.) After a few baby carrots I begin to get a little nauseous unless they're dripping with dip.

Mindfulness meditation techniques can be helpful to bring on sleep. Gently but presistantly follow the rising and falling of your belly with each breath -- your breath is like an ocean tide rolling in and out. Observe it, don't control it. Count by ones after each in-out breath up to 10 and then start again. Books are written on these techniques and you can find them all over the web as well.

* If you're a chronic headache sufferer, the MSG/glutamate ingredients (and they go by many names) in any prepared protein concoction may be a trigger.

[JoeMonte]

These bars are great for a mid snack or meal replacement. They have a rice crispy texture and great chocolate flavor. You can get them at Walmart. They have a great price vs. the internet.

[fuentejps]

Of course drinking a solid shake is a great idea, healthy and adds protein none of us get enough of. Bars are good too, just watch the ingredients, some have sugar alcohol which can act as a laxative.

For a woman bsn desert is a good low cal chake as well. Eas are solid products as steve mentioned.

Get rtd's, so its mindless.

[-scott-]

Originally Posted by fuentejps

Bars are good too, just watch the ingredients, some have sugar alcohol which can act as a laxative.

Interesting. I've wondered if Clif Bars affect the consistency of my poo. I've been softer recently. TMI, whatever.

Anything here raise a red flag? http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_clif_bar/