A schedule to break the bad snack cycle

When you’re busy at work and pressed for time during the week, eating healthy isn’t always your priority. But with a little planning, you can avoid the arvo snack temptations.

It’s a familiar story – you sleep in so you don’t eat any breakfast, you eat an over-priced muffin from a coffee shop, and then you’re starving when it gets to lunch time.

You didn’t pack your lunch, so you grab some fast food to save time, and when the 3pm sugar cravings kick in, you’re helpless before numerous packs of biscuits, chips and other office snacks.

Want to beat the bad snack cycle? Here are some simple food hacks to make your day a whole lot healthier.

With a little pre-preparation, you could start your day with a delicious combination of nuts, seeds and coconut, that will keep you going throughout the day. Nuts are high in protein and a great source of healthy fat, keeping you fuller for longer. Enjoy this energising mix for breakfast or a snack.

This is a perfect one for the mid-morning cravings (and much better for you than a second cup of coffee). It sounds complicated, but it’s extremely easy: halve an avocado and take out the seed. In the seed hole, put in some sauerkraut. Done.

What you've got is really healthy fats in the avocado (as an alkaline fruit, it's great for keeping your body healthy) and an awesome probiotic with the sauerkraut.

It may sound a little strange, but this one is a crowd-pleaser. Cut up some pumpkin and rub it with a little coconut oil, sprinkle some cinnamon on top and roast it in the oven.

This is a tasty, filling lunch, but it really could be eaten any time of day. It’s also incredibly good for you: cinnamon can help to control your blood sugar and pumpkin, which is rich in potassium, will give you a big energy boost.

Let’s face it: some days you work up a hunger that can’t be satisfied by one lunch. On those days, I would suggest miso mushroom soup in a jar: a quick and easy recipe that can be made at work without having to transport liquid which can leak in your bag.

Dollop some miso in a jar, add in some fresh mushrooms (Shiitake mushrooms are great) and some ginger, spring onions and even broccoli florets. Fill the jar up with hot water from the work kettle, let it sit for five to ten minutes, and you have a flavour-packed snack.

This recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, and delicious to boot. Roast some veggies (I like sweet potato in particular) and once they have cooled, mix them with some salad greens and a yoghurt and turmeric dressing. Adding some brown rice makes this salad a comforting one for winter.

It's very easy for people to play with this recipe because roasted veggies make for great leftovers and you can mix and match different ingredients every time. This dish never gets old.

Filmmaker of 'Food Matters' and 'Hungry For Change', and founder of FMTV, James has dedicated his life to discovering the truth behind nutrition and our food supply. James, alongside Laurentine ten Bosch, has transformed the 'Food Matters' film into a global wellness hub, with a community of over 3.3 million followers across email and social networks. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.