Many American adults admitted to falling off the "health and wellness wagon," and a large proportion cited on-the-go activities (eating on the go, when traveling or dining out, when tempted by food at the office) as a reason. When lunch comes out of a vending machine and dinner is served through a drive-through window, nutritious choices can be limited.
"We understand that people don't always have the time to prepare a home- cooked meal from scratch," said Tobe Cohen, director, marketing, ZonePerfect at Ross. "When people are crunched for time, healthy food choices are often offset by empty-calorie meals and snacks. ZonePerfect makes eating healthy easy by providing all-natural, great-tasting and nutritious, portable options for on-the-go lifestyles."
To assist people who aspire to achieve a healthier lifestyle despite real- life challenges and time constraints, ZonePerfect has teamed up with healthy living advisor Carolyn O'Neil, registered dietitian and co-author of "The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!"
"The busier we are, the more important it is that we eat foods that give us the energy to fuel our bodies throughout each demanding day," said O'Neil. "At the same time, we need simple snack and meal-time solutions that fit our modern-day, multi-tasking lives. They need to taste great, be readily available or prepared in a matter of minutes."
O'Neil recommends simple tips to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in spite of a hectic schedule. Highlights include:
Nutrition On the Go -- According to the ZonePerfect survey, 90 percent of respondents indicated they eat meals or snacks on the go; 60 percent of adults indicated they do so on a daily basis.
-- It's easy to develop a plan for healthy eating on the go by packing foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Pre-cut veggies, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, nuts and ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars are convenient options to grab for your briefcase, backpack or purse. One ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar contains more protein than two eggs, to give you the energy to keep you going, and more antioxidants (Vitamin C) than one half cup of strawberries, to help your cells rejuvenate from everyday activities.
A Treat That's Sweet -- Is a sweet tooth keeping you from healthy eating? Ninety-six percent of respondents indicated they fall off the "health and wellness wagon" in some way; 48 percent of adults indicated they do so when they're "craving something sweet."
-- Fresh strawberries folded into low-fat or non-fat yogurt, apple slices slathered with a tablespoon of peanut butter or -- for chocolate lovers -- a delicious Chocolate Caramel Cluster ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar are nutritious, protein-packed options sure to satisfy your craving.
A Little Goes a Long Way -- When U.S. adults were asked how they would describe their approach to exercise, 42 percent indicated "taking the stairs instead of the elevator."
-- Taking the stairs burns five times more calories than hopping on the elevator or escalator -- that's a small daily addition of physical activity that can truly make a difference in your health. Keep walking afternoon power walk, play with the kids, or take the dog for a nightly stroll.