So, you’re moving into a new rental! You are one of the approximately 32 million Americans that will pack up and move rentals this year! Hooray! Right? Whether to somewhere amazing or somewhere less appealing, excited or not, a move is on the horizon. That in itself induces stress. Too often with stress the first thing we give up on is the choice to eat healthy.

Stress can invoke a lot of unwanted physiological effects like lowered immunity, digestive problems, and sleeplessness. The Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health has a great article discussing the science behind stress eating. Essentially, stress and the hormones it unleashes, coupled with our generic response to eat candy and pizza while packing boxes, actually causes overeating.

Stress = cortisol + high-fat, sugary “comfort foods” = overeating. Fact. 

So what does overeating cause? Sleeplessness, headaches, skin issues, digestive issues, weight gain, mental fatigue, low energy, compromised immunity. And, last but not least? You guessed it. More stress! It’s a vicious cycle. Moving must really seem appealing now!

The simplistic approach is, “This move, I am not going to get stressed. I am NOT going to be that person.” Realistically, while thinking about not stressing, and planning on not stressing, you reach for a chocolate…and that wine bottle. No judgement here, it happens to the best of us.  But if you can get ahead of the moving-day-junk-food-fest, you have the ability to positively impact your mind and body.

First, we need to understand what it means to eat healthy. We want to focus on balanced diet with focus on fruits and vegetables, back to the basics. Fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure (something we could all use during the stress of moving).  They can help with gastrointestinal health and keeping weight in check when your exercise regime may be a lower priority.

How are you supposed to prepare healthy snacks and meals in the midst of a stressful move? By planning ahead. On the side of one of those cardboard boxes sit down and draft a quick plan. Planning ahead will keep you organized and give you clearly defined eating checklist. It will aid in helping you make the best decision for yourself (and your family), which will in turn keep those stress levels down a bit.

When you’re moving you may feel too short on time for meal planning. (It’s a common excuse no matter what is happening in life for many). But the truth is, this plan is going to simplify your life and save you time. Running to restaurants and grocery stores daily to try and piece together meals for hungry kids is time consuming. You will have a consolidated menu and grocery list for a single trip to the store.  

Prepare healthy snacks and meals as part of your moving day prep, consider it a much needed break from packing. The less processed the food, the better. Unprocessed, unrefined whole produce is obviously best, and quite frankly, easiest. Fill a cooler and reusable containers with as many prepared meal and snack items as possible. Include a small parring knife, a small container of dish soap, a dishcloth, and napkins or paper towels.  

Also, moving day and travel days can be dehydrating work. Don’t forget beverages. Try to primarily drink water, lots and lots of water. Don’t think you HAVE to have energy drinks to get you through a move.  Let drinking excessive amounts of water, pumping cold AC and your favorite music, replace the rush from “energy” drinks. (Do you have any idea how much sugar and artificial junk is in those?) 

Even with the best of planning, when you’re eating off moving boxes, you might miss the daily recommended produce intake. Because of days like these, my family takes Juice Plus+. While, I am a scientist through and through, more importantly, I’m a wife and mom. I don’t put things into my family’s bodies without thoroughly research. After due research, I found that Juice Plus+ is the next best thing to fruits and vegetables themselves. Juice Plus+ adds the nutrients of 30 fruits, vegetables, and grains to your diet. It helps bridge the gap between what you are eating and what you should be eating. Juice Plus+ makes up for not so great planning days (i.e. moving day chaos) and helps maintain your family’s health and wellness.

Moving is hard enough without having to factor in illness. Since we’ve started Juice Plus+, our home has had no flu, no ear infections, no hand-foot-mouth. My littlest has never even been exposed (through my milk or otherwise) to antibiotics. That’s a huge win for me. What’s almost as awesome as this? When the expenses of moving are adding up, the expense of keeping my family healthy isn’t. With one adult order, a child (age 4-18) or a college undergrad student can get their Juice Plus+ for free! It’s awesome.

How do I plan our moves and keep stress levels low, my weight at bay, and pull into my new rental feeling energized and healthy? I meal plan. I keep a water cup filled up and with me (and each family member) at all times. And I ALWAYS pack my Juice Plus+. Have I mentioned that we’ve moved FIVE times in less than nine years (not including the “mini-moves”)? 

Moving gives us the chance to start fresh in a new rental.  If you are going to embrace this reset, give your body and mind the chance to do the same by moving with focus and preparation to eat healthy.  

What are your favorite meals during a move?  We would love to hear from you on Instagram.  Tag us in your #movingdaymeals!