5 Tips for Maintaining Good Nutrition During the Holiday Rush

Whether it's attending holiday concerts and school programs, prepping for parties, or planning the big family meals, everyone has days during the holiday season when they barely have time to plan and cook that day's meals.

It doesn't have to mean a trip through the drive-through or an unhealthy option. United Supermarkets Corporate Dietitian Brenda Garcia has a few ideas for maintaining good nutrition with little time.

1) The frozen food section is your friend. Grab pre-grilled chicken nuggets to add protein to a salad or throw together a hearty soup with the nuggets, frozen veggies, and bone broth or chicken stock. Frozen dinners used to be known for high sodium content, but today, many options are more balanced, Garcia said.

2) Don't forget ReadyMeals. United Supermarket has ReadyMeal options that are ready to eat, heat, or cook, so you can pick balanced options based on your taste and schedule. The selection can vary, but potential dishes include Strawberry Fields Salad, grilled chicken breast, spaghetti and meatballs, salmon and asparagus, and pico stuffed mushrooms.

3) Let the seafood staff help. At United Supermarkets, the staff in the seafood section not only can recommend fish that fits your tastes, but they will season and steam it for you — a nice protein and fewer steps for you!

4) Try popular meal hacks. For example, you can make a double-batch of a favorite dinner and freeze half for a busy night. You can prep key components over the weekend and save them for meals later in the week. Or you can check the back-to-school tips from Happy + Nourished, a blog from Garcia's team.

5) Don't skip meals and remain mindful of portions. If you're busy, it's easy to consider skipping lunch and eating a little more at dinner, but for many, that increases the temptation to overeat or choose less-healthy options. Instead, keep up with healthy meals and snacks, but be mindful of portions and balance. Here are more tips for mindful eating from United Supermarkets.