Sometimes
you just can't take it with you. What do you do when you are hungry and
all around you are fast food joints? I've heard a local "expert"
tout the benefit of this concoction; a cup of yogurt, with oats and raisins
added. With complex carbs and fiber from the oats, simple sugars from
the raisins, and milk protein, this is not a bad idea, if you can conveniently
find the ingredients and mix them together. Negatives; messy, time consuming,
and it'll cost you around $2.00. There is a great alternative- an energy
bar. Most bars are high in complex carbohydrates from oats and other grains,
simple sugars from fruits, and milk protein. Most energy bars also have
added vitamins and minerals. You just peel the wrapper and eat it. And
best yet, you can get them almost anywhere for around a dollar.
If you would
rather drink your lunch, there are meal replacement mixes that you can
take with, mix with water or juice or milk, and have a quick nutritious
meal that satisfies your appetite. The most common formula in meal replacement
mixes is high in protein, with moderate carbs (mostly complex, with very
little sugars), and very low fat (a couple of grams).
Some meal
replacements add extra ingredients, such as creatine, glutamine, or glucosamine.
If you are buying these supplements separately now, you may be able to
save time and money by buying a meal replacement with all of your favorites
in one mix. SNS Lean Machine
is a great example of this category.
If you're
looking for a low carb protein source, SNS Whey
Protein is a great tasting way to add protein to your favorite foods,
or to make a shake or smoothie. A protein shake is a great way to avoid
snacking on high fat and high sugar foods, late in the evening.
Meal replacements
and whey protein come in both single servings and bulk. Of course, single
serving packages are more convenient, and more expensive. Bulk containers
are less expensive, but harder to take with you. If you want the best
of both, buy the bigger container and measure out your dry powder into
your shaker, and add your liquid right before you're ready to eat it.
You will probably feel better about not creating as much waste, by avoiding
the extra packaging of the boxes of single-serving packets. It's keen
to be green, you know.
Meals that
you make at home are almost always the best, but if you don't have the
time to make them, try a bar or meal replacement mix.
Related using the H&F.com Search:
Guidelines for Healthy Food Choices
HEALTHandFITNESS.com 
