Holistically Katie

“I want to start eating healthier, but I have no time!”

The above phrase is a common one, but have no fear…in this post I am going to be sharing five hacks that help me stay on track with my paleo diet. I hope some of you can utilize these tips in your own life (paleo, or not paleo) to eat healthier and feel better about your diet! I am in college, and during the week, it’s hard to find fifteen minutes during my day where I can relax. I am constantly running to class, meetings, work, or to sorority commitments. But a girl’s gotta eat right? These paleo hacks make my life easier by ensuring I always have a wholesome snack or meal on hand that doesn’t require lengthy preparation.

1) Epic Bars

Epic bars are great. They are gluten-free and low in sugar. The ingredients are very simple and made from meat, some fruit and spices are sometimes added. These qualify as being paleo but be sure to read the label because some of the bars, like the Bison bars, do add sugar. I recommend epic bars because they are quick and convenient, and rather than a typical protein bar, they are not loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients.

2) Collagen Protein Powder

I am big into Vital Proteins hydrolyzed collagen peptides. I mix the stuff into my coffee, almond milk lattes and smoothies all of the time. It is an easy, quick way to get more protein into your day. This product supports joint health, as well as your skin, hair and nails.

3) Bulletproof Coffee

My holy grail. I wake up every morning and crave bulletproof coffee. I make mine with cold brew, coconut milk, MCT oil, cinnamon, vital proteins gelatin (for digestive health) and vanilla stevia. It is honestly to die for and gives me the perfect amount of energy before hitting the gym in the morning.

4) Meal Prep a lot of Meat and Vegetables

This is pretty self-explanatory, but is actually really crucial for adhering to a healthy diet. If you have healthy foods prepared, ready to go in your refrigerator, chances are you will actually eat them rather than stop at a fast food place or end up getting Chinese food/pizza delivered. Your future self will thank your past self if you carve out some time to bulk prepare lots of vegetables, and protein. Choose a day (for most people, sunday works best) and wash, cut and prepare vegetables as well as your meats for the week. By doing so, you will essentially have dinner all set during the week so you do not have to stress about cooking up a healthy dinner.

5) Healthy Fats to the Rescue

In my opinion, incorporating enough healthy fats on any diet regimen is the key to not falling off the wagon. This is because healthy fats (think avocado, coconut oil, grass fed butter, nuts/seeds) are what ensure you remain satiated and prevent cravings for unhealthy foods throughout the day. Healthy fats regulate hormone function, will give you glowing skin, long nails and reduce split ends/breakage in your hair. I want to drive this point home, since so many people are scared of eating enough fats, since fats naturally contain more calories per gram than protein or carbohydrates. Despite this, it has been shown time and time again that people who consume healthy fats have an easier time keeping weight off than people who do not. Nutrition is more important than calories. Be sure to check out this post if you are curious about this topic.

With every post I publish on my blog, I truly hope to show you guys that living a healthy lifestyle is not out of reach. You just have to start somewhere, and do what you can. You don’t become a fountain of health overnight, but living a healthier lifestyle is a journey that takes bits of effort each and everyday. My platform is all about showing you guys that this is indeed attainable, no matter what point in life you find yourself.