What to Eat When You Don't Have Time?

Some days, everything seems to happen at once.

You have to get to work early, your day is packed with appointments, you need to pick up the kids, you’re on the road, you’re trying to fit in a workout between everything else, or you simply realize at noon that you haven’t prepared anything to eat.

And suddenly, it’s time for lunch.

When that happens, it’s easy to grab a snack, stop somewhere for food, or push your meal off until you finally have time to eat.

But being short on time doesn’t mean you have to settle for just anything.

The goal is to find something that’s convenient, but still complete enough to actually count as a meal.

Here are a few ways to make it easier when you don’t have much time.

1. Prepare a real meal ahead of time

When you know you have a busy day coming up, preparing your meal the night before can make a big difference.

It can be something very simple:

• chicken, rice and vegetables;

• salmon, potatoes and vegetables;

• chili with a source of protein;

• a meal-sized salad with chicken or eggs;

• a rice bowl with vegetables and protein;

• leftovers from a balanced meal you made the night before.

You don’t need to make anything complicated.

The goal is simply to have a real meal ready when you get hungry.

The catch? You have to think about the meal before your day even starts.

And that’s not always possible.

2. Keep convenient foods on hand

Some days, there’s simply no time to prepare a meal ahead of time.

In that case, having a few convenient foods available can help you avoid having nothing to eat.

For example:

• easy-to-carry fruit;

• Greek yogurt;

• hard-boiled eggs;

• nuts and seeds;

• ready-to-eat vegetables;

• a source of protein that’s already prepared;

• a meal you prepared ahead of time.

These foods can be very convenient, but there’s an important difference to keep in mind:

a nutritious food isn’t necessarily a complete meal.

A handful of nuts or a piece of fruit can be a great snack, but it may not be enough to replace a meal.

When you’re short on time, it can help to ask yourself:

Am I about to eat an actual meal, or just something to hold me over?

3. Have something you can easily take with you

Running out of time doesn’t only happen at home.

You might be at work, between appointments, in the car, on the road, somewhere without a kitchen, or simply away from home.

In those situations, even a meal you prepared ahead of time isn’t always practical.

Having something that’s easy to take with you can make a big difference.

The idea is simple:

have a plan before you get hungry instead of trying to figure something out at the last minute.

4. Avoid the “I’ll just grab something” option

This is often how an unplanned meal starts.

You’re hungry.

You didn’t bring anything.

You don’t have time to cook.

So you grab whatever is easiest: a restaurant, fast food, something from a convenience store, or a snack.

And over time, eating on the go regularly can get expensive too.

Buying a meal away from home can quickly cost much more than a meal you already had ready at home or at work.

The problem isn’t necessarily eating at a restaurant.

It’s having to go there by default, simply because you didn’t have another option.

It’s not about willpower either.

When you’re hungry and there’s nothing available, the easiest option usually wins.

That’s why having a meal option ready ahead of time can make a difference in two ways:

you save time and avoid spending more simply because you didn’t have anything prepared.

5. A meal replacement drink can be an option when time is tight

Sometimes, even putting together a simple meal just isn’t realistic.

You have five minutes before you leave.

You need to get back to work.

You’re on the road.

Or you simply didn’t prepare anything.

In those situations, a meal replacement drink can be a convenient option.

The difference between a simple snack or protein shake and a meal replacement drink is that a meal replacement drink is designed to serve as a meal, with a combination of calories, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Neo Food was made for moments like these.

One serving provides 380 calories, 31 g of plant-based protein, 10 g of fibre and 27 vitamins and minerals, and takes about 30 seconds to prepare.

Neo Food is also a plant-based meal replacement drink, but you don’t need to follow a plant-based diet to enjoy it.

The idea isn’t to replace every meal with a drink.

It’s simply to have a real meal within reach when you don’t have time to prepare a traditional meal.

How do you know if it’s actually a complete meal?

When you’re short on time, ask yourself a few simple questions.

Is it filling enough?

A small snack might take the edge off your hunger for a little while, but it doesn’t necessarily meet the same needs as a meal.

Does it provide more than one nutrient?

A meal isn’t just about one thing.

A combination of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals contributes to a complete and balanced diet.

Does it actually fit into my day?

A solution that takes 45 minutes to prepare probably isn’t ideal when you only have five minutes.

Can I actually have it when I need it?

Something can look great on paper, but it’s much less useful if it’s never available when you need it.

The most important thing: have a solution before you need one

Eating well when you’re short on time doesn’t necessarily mean cooking more.

It can simply mean having a few options that fit into your everyday life.

A meal prepared the night before might be perfect.

A homemade meal already portioned out can be ideal.

Something easy to take with you can be useful when you’re on the road.

And a meal replacement drink can be an option when you simply don’t have time to prepare anything.

The goal is simple:

Don’t let a lack of time decide what you’re going to eat.

Need a real meal ready in seconds?

Neo Food gives you a complete meal replacement drink you can keep on hand for those days when you simply don’t have time to prepare a meal.

Discover Neo Food →