Healthy Dining Options

by Zonya Foco

Q: I'm a busy working parent and find I'm always behind schedule and only have time to eat something quick, usually junk food?  I'm worried my children will follow my example.

A: No matter who you are, at some point in time you'll be in a rush and stuck eating in your car. The challenge to dashboard dining is planning just the right snacks to sustain you without compromising health. All too often our typical car snacks are high-calorie, high-fat, salty finger food found in a bag; followed by mindless gallons of "liquid candy" to wash it down. And because we're less apt to pay attention to how much we're eating while on the road, that bag that was supposed to serve 12 has now been devoured by a family of FOUR!  

Q: When in a hurry what can you do to avoid drive-thru and fattening foods?

A:  Keep a baggie filled with napkins, plastic forks, knives and spoons, wet-wipes and yes, even a can opener in the glove compartment. You are now in a better position to grab something healthy from a grocery store salad bar or deli, or even healthy leftovers grabbed out of your own refrigerator.

Q: How can you ensure a quick fix of a drink and food on your way out the door?

A: Keep the cabinet beside the door leading to your garage stocked with the following easy grab-and-go items:

• single-serving cans of low-sodium V-8 juice
• bottles of water
• snack-size baggies of trail mix
• dry-roasted peanuts, almonds and soy nuts
• envelopes of tuna (new seasoned types are great)
• low-fat whole-grain crackers (Kashi makes trans-fat free)
• raisins and dried apricots
• whole-grain bagels and cookies

Q: When you're starving and in a hurry what is something good and cold to eat?
 
A:  Keep the fridge stocked with:

• mini carrots, celery sticks, pepper strips and cucumber slices
• grape or cherry tomatoes
• a tub of hummus
• whole-wheat pita bread
• mozzarella cheese sticks
• fresh fruit

Zonya Foco, registered dietitian and professional speaker, is host of her own TV specials on national public television and author of the DIET FREE Lifestyle Program and best-selling Lickety-Split Meals cookbook. Zonya also partners with Health Alliance Plan (HAP) to develop and present its award-winning Weight Wise events for HAP's Wise Woman program.  For more information on Zonya and DIET FREE, visit Zonya.com. For more healthy living tips or to learn about HAP's Wise Woman program, go to hap.org/wisewoman.

The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals.  
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