We are listening to the wind and rain as Hurricane Sandy makes its way along the East Coast. We have been experiencing the effects of cabin fever as it has been raining for the last 24 hours and we expect the rain will continue for at least another 24 hours. This has been a long, slow storm and weather like this can take a toll on a healthy eating plan. How can we minimize this toll?
Fortunately we had a lot of advance warning about this storm so we had time to prepare. What did those preparations include? We stocked up on water and batteries, of course. In addition, we stocked food that would hold up during a power outage. What foods did we look for to stay as close to our healthy eating plan as possible? We have apples, bananas, and carrots for snacking, these foods hold up without refrigeration if necessary. We also stocked up on some healthy canned foods – looking for items low in sodium. We did not stock up on lots of crackers, chips, etc to avoid temptation.
Planning indoor entertainment is an important part of a healthy eating plan when you know going out will not be an option. Being “stuck” inside for a few days can lead to extra snacking due to boredom so we planned activities for the family to do instead of snacking. We have board games and card games to keep minds engaged and busy and to foster positive social interaction. We have books to read and DVD’s to watch for some quiet individual entertainment when personal space is needed. Indoor exercise is important too – so we walk around periodically and do some stretching. We also have some extra toys for the dog to keep her entertained since she is missing her daily walk too.
Whenever a major upset to your routine occurs, whether it is going out of town or an unexpected act of Mother Nature, the key to sticking to your healthy eating plan is being flexible and planning ahead to have the right food on hand. Including quality supplements as part of your diet will also ensure you continue getting the proper mix of vitamins and minerals to function at your best even when you can’t maintain the optimum balance of food.
How do you stick to your healthy eating plan during extreme weather? Would love to hear from you in the comments below or join our conversation in facebook.
