When I moved back to Raleigh, one of the first people I re-connected with was my sorority sister, health coach and all around kick-butt business lady, Carrie. When I think of moving, I think of disrupted routines, hangry arguments and overworked bodies. I asked Carrie to share some of her experience in keeping things healthy when you are moving! This is a two-part series focused on food and snacking, then on routine and exercise. Enjoy!
First of all, CONGRATS on your new home!
Now that you’ve bought the house [the fun part], you have to start thinking about the actual move … [the not-so-fun part]. And, part of that is planning to keep your family physically and mentally healthy in the process.
I know firsthand that putting health at the top of the priority list while moving is definitely easier said than done! When you’ve got so much on your figurative plate, it can be hard to pay attention to your literal plate.
But, moving is hard work and thus, requires a lot of energy. Eating healthy isn’t just to keep your weight in check; it’s vital to maintain your strength, as well as reduce stress and fatigue throughout your transition. And sorry to say ya’ll … but Chinese takeout or a quick bite from the local market won’t cut it.
To help you out, I’ll be giving you a two-part series with several diet, exercise and mindset hacks to support your health [and sanity] the next time you find yourself moving one place to another.
Good luck!
6 TIPS TO EAT HEALTHY DURING THE STRESS OF A MOVE: 1. Focus on what you already have in the fridge and prep your meals accordingly. You’re going to have to cut down what’s in your pantry, fridge, and freezer anyway, so may as well eat what you can instead of just throwing it away. Food items we keep in our home tend to be healthier options that what we find at the local fast food joint, so make it a goal to stick to eating what’s in your home as much as you can until the move.
2. Get smart about snacks that don’t go bad. When you’re moving, you are burning a lot of calories and it can make you ravenous. Do NOT let yourself get to this point because you’ll reach for the most convenient fix—usually in the form of grease and sugar.
Instead: plan out healthy snacks that incorporate a balance of healthy carbs and protein so you stay full longer and maintain optimal energy levels. Portion out these small meals ahead of time in snack-sized baggies or Tupperware. Store in a cooler or insulated lunch box in your car so they are easily accessible.
Here a few portable snack ideas that aren’t perishable:
Trail Mix (Whole Foods Energy Mix is the BEST, especially if you have kids—they’ll appreciate the bite-sized peanut butter cups)
Apple and Almond Butter.
Gluten Free Crackers and Black Bean Hummus (or any flavor)
No Bake Dark Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Balls: Full of healthy fats, protein and chocolate, this snack will provide a boost of energy to last all day.
Smart Pop Popcorn
Brown Rice, Rice Cakes with Chocolate PB 2. Just mix the PB 2 powder with water and eat it anywhere! It has much lower fat than regular peanut butter and is only $6.99 for an entire jar.
Nut Butter Boats: Celery with almond (or peanut) butter—add raisons or dark chocolate morsels on top.
Raw cut-up veggies dipped in non-dairy ranch veggie dip.
3. Schedule your meals. Set a timer for every 3 hours to make sure your family eats. This will keep their blood sugar levels balanced, energy levels high and moods positive. Meaning you’ll be less likely to kill each other in the process. 🙏🏼
4. Keep a few key items in the kitchen. The kitchen is usually the first room to get packed, so if you don’t plan ahead, you’ll likely find yourself with no choice but to dine out. Prevent this by leaving out a few key kitchen items, like one plate, fork, knife, spoon and bowl per family member. When it’s time to go, pack these items in a clearly marked box so you can quickly reach for them when unpacking.
5. Stay HYDRATED!
When you’re working up a sweat while moving, it’s important to constantly drink water. Not only will it keep you energized, but it will also keep you feeling full longer.
6. Be realistic. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you fall off track during a move. Even if you try your hardest to stay healthy while moving, you’re likely going to have to resort to less than ideal meal choices at some point for the sake of time and convenience. And that’s OK! It’s more about balance.
When and if this happens, instead of feeling guilty, try supplementing your unhealthy food choice with something that provides a little more nourishment. Some examples are:
If you pick up a burrito for lunch, add a side of fresh vegetables or simply remove the tortilla.
If you have to go through the drive-thru, opt for salads, a burger without the bun or a cup of soup/chili.
If you’re able to balance the bad with some good, you’ll find you’ll still feel relatively good, physically.
Eating well and moving your body during your move isn’t impossible, but it definitely takes a little bit of thought and planning ahead of time! Hope these tips help you and your family make the moving experience a little healthier and a lot less stressful.
Xo, Carrie
