Simple Non-Dinner Dinner Solutions

You've just put in a 12 hour work day, the house is a mess, you have to be up at 5AM to do your morning workout with the trainer and the last thing you feel like doing is cooking a meal. Sound familiar? I'm sure you've experienced this feeling on at least a few occasions.

Remember that you don't always necessarily have to eat 'dinner' foods for your evening meal. You can just as easily eat foods you'd regularly consume at breakfast or combine a few different snack type foods to make this meal. As long as it is nutritionally balanced you really don't have too much to worry about and can rest assured that you are still treating your body well. Any of the following suggestions would be far more healthy than if you had succumbed to the drive through window and ordered yourself up a hamburger, large fries and twist cone. While that may be comforting in the moment of stress, it isn't going to make you feel so well later on.

Give any of these a try instead.

1. A fresh smoothie made with milk, yogurt, fresh fruit and peanut butter. Serve it with some carrot sticks to get your veggies and you're set.

2. An English muffin topped with 1 tbsp tomato sauce from a jar, two slices of fat-free cheese and some oregano. Place under the grill for thirty seconds and serve.

3. A warm bowl of oatmeal with protein powder and peanut butter mixed in. Serve with a fresh orange or apple.

4. Two slices of whole wheat toast along with two poached eggs and a side of garden salad (have precut salad on hand to make this easier).

So next time you are in a hurry or would rather just relax on the couch with a simple meal, give one of these a try. Another option to solve this problem is to make big batches of your favourite stir-fry and stew recipes and then freeze them in old margarine containers. Then all you need to do is remove one from the freezer in the morning before work and heat in the microwave upon returning. Best of all is that there is practically no clean up involved!