In my last article, I left off on time management and this next topic has that as its foundation. As Trinbagonians, there is an underlying culture of procrastination for some which tends to seep into all aspects of life. It is more apparent with some people than others. However, planning ahead is quite the opposite and more often than not, results in more good than harm. So what does planning ahead have to do with being hangry? Let’s start by defining ‘hangry’ so we’re all on the same page.
The adjective ‘hangry’ has been used so much in the Engligh language over the last couple years that it actually is now an official word in the Oxford dictionary! Don’t believe me? Go see for yourself...Okay now that you’re back you would have seen that being irritable as a result of intense hunger results in one feeling ‘hangry’. Even if for whatever reason you’ve never heard the word before you’ve possibly experienced the feeling a couple times well. I’m sure you just flashed back to your last hangry feeling and we can all agree that it isn’t a fun one at all. There’s hope yet though and this is where planning ahead comes in! I know you were wondering where this was going.
The two major benefits of planning ahead are curbing hunger, therefore keeping that hangry feeling at bay and also saving money! Who doesn’t love that, especially in these times. Don’t get me wrong, there is no rule that says one can’t purchase ‘outside’ food, but when you are hangry you are more likely to shop based on convenience which may not always be the most nutritious solution. Easy to prepare snacks are the way to go, especially if your life is set up pretty busy. If many of your meals happen to be in your car...keep reading! If this isn’t the case, still keep reading because what follows will either be new habits to incorporate or welcomed reminders. No need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to this, a few worthy snacks are overnight oats- complete with enough fruit and flavour that you don’t feel for any of the foods wafting in the breeze as you cruise the Avenue. Homemade trail mix- this can be personalised based on your preferences and the possibilities are endless, just be sure to include a range of nuts and dried fruits. If you’re allergic to nuts that’s okay! A smoothie may be a way for you to go. Whether water or dairy- based, this again depends on your likes, dislikes and lifestyle of course!
Sometimes packing the night before a busy day can be downright annoying, but believe me, your future self always thanks you for it. Think about the longest your day can possibly be (for me it may sometimes go into the night) so I make sure my containers are laid out, packed and ready to go for the next day. A few easy to prep meals are those one pot meals we all know and love! It could be anything from pelau to pasta with a range of vegetables and your preferred source of protein to even salad (a filling one of course!- one complete with proteins, carbohydrates and enough good fat for satiety.)
A sage motto is don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Get to packing so that on your long days you don’t miss the snacking and end up with less money in your pocket and a recurring hangry feeling an hour later from foods that didn’t duel you.