Dear Miss Milly

Dear Miss Milly,

Every day I find myself eating the same foods, and although I am bored of this routine, I don’t have a lot of time or money to switch it up. My daily three normally consists of a Pop-Tart for breakfast, mac ‘n’ cheese for lunch and pizza for dinner. I know I should eat healthier, too, but that usually costs more. Any ideas on how to spice up my meals?

From,
Bored with food

Dear Bored with food,

Eating the right foods consistently can give you the energy you need to make it through the day and prevent health problems in the future.

Having an assortment of healthy foods will keep you on the right track, and provide a variety for your taste buds without too much impact on your budget.

I’m sure you’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day — it is. You haven’t eaten since the night before, and it fuels you for the long day ahead, so make sure you don’t skip this meal.

If you are looking for quick breakfasts, fruit and yogurt is a great way to start. If you are looking for something with more carbs, bagels and toast with peanut butter will get your day rolling. Cereal can also be a good option, as long as you avoid those sugar-laden cereals and stick with some healthier options instead.

Lunch doesn’t have to be Easy Mac every day. You can make a variety of sandwiches, from peanut butter and banana to turkey and cheese.

Because you buy these ingredients in bulk, your meals come out cheap, and you get to choose a variety of nutrient-dense options for your lunch.

To spice up dinner, you might have to put forth a little more effort than just turning the oven on, but several servings can last you a couple days, saving you time for the rest of the week.

Spaghetti, potatoes and salad are easy fixings that also squeeze in some nutrients.

If you are looking for healthier dessert options, fruit is a great choice. Strawberries, blueberries and bananas provide vitamins and can help keep that sweet tooth in check. You can also pair them with cool whip, a little sugar, chocolate or ice cream. Just be sure to mind the size of your servings to avoid unwanted extra calories.

If you are looking for good snacks, any combo of cheese, cracker, fruit or hummus is a great choice. Try to avoid the sodium stacked chips or syrupy sodas and stick with fresh foods and water.

I hope this advice adds a little spice to your meals, and that you begin a track of smart and healthy eating!

~Miss Milly