Healthy Foods in Convenience Stores

Dear Body Buds,

Due to the hustle and bustle in our lives, we often stop at gas stations or convenience stores in between errands, on the way to work, or on a road trip for a simple pleasure: a drink and/or a treat. It is easy to stop at a convenience store on your way to work to pick up breakfast. It is also easy to stop by a convenience store to pick up a snack when you have been going places all day. I believe it's where the word 'convenience' store comes from.

However, does 'convenience' ever help us reach our goals? Nothing worth working for is ever truly convenient.

While I don't consider convenience stores ideal, sometimes they are necessary. When possible, I encourage my clients to cook from home, sit down to have their breakfast, and pack their snacks and meals for the day. However, life happens and we all need a way to be able to fuel our bodies strategically on the road when things come up.

It will take some hunting to find strategic food items, but it's possible! Some key things to look for include the following:

1. Water. This is the best drink you can have for your health. Stay away from sugary drinks, energy drinks, and soda.

2. Protein source. Look for this either in the form of beef jerky or a protein bar. Be selective with your protein bars and jerky. Look for types that are lower in sugar (shoot for 5 grams or less).

3. Carbohydrates and Fats. Fresh fruit and/or raw/non-roasted nuts as well as string cheese.

In the Power Foods Lifestyle, we are taught to have either a PVC (protein-veggie-carb) meal or a PVF (protein-veggie-fat) meal. It may be difficult to find a vegetable at a convenience store. Don't panic--it's okay! We do the best we can with what we have available. You can still pick a strategic protein and carbohydrate or fat source that will keep your body in the fat-burning zone.

Keep your mind in control and stay away from the sugary items that will be in your sight. They are all so tasty, but they are to be left for a planned indulgence and not a way to fuel your body.

Be prepared and bring your foods with you, but if you happen to need some convenience, be smart about what you choose!

Be sure to check out Kristy Jo's YouTube video about how to watch out for deceptive foods in the video below.

Love your bud,

Coach Rach