Even as a huge advocate for meal planning myself, even I can attest to those seasons of life when you just can’t seem to find or energy to figure out what you’re going to eat. Things get crazy, and busy, and tiring, and chaotic, and sometimes you just can’t find the gumption to be that super-powered, wonder-woman, meal-planning machine.

But what do you eat when you’re just wingin’ it? Because I don’t know about you, but if I decide to just eat whatever the heck I want to eat, I’m going for burgers, fries, pizza, and of course chocolate!

But those types of foods will only fuel me so far before I start feeling like I got hit by a truck.

That’s when I have to find the balance between “rigid meal-planning mama” and “gimme all the junk food.”

Here’s what to do when you can’t

figure out what to eat.

1. Eat when you’re hungry

Long stretches without food, and a no-go.

Any time I fail to eat regularly I ultimately sabotage myself. Whether I’m busy, or just keep procrastinating because I can’t decide what to eat,  I get so starving that I start shoving anything and everything in my mouth. By that time I don’t feel like grabbing a banana anymore. It’s more like the hidden candy in the mommy-drawer, or something quick and easy (and not healthy), like pizza.

If I’m in a rut, I remind myself to eat every 2-3 hours so that I don’t end up consuming a plate of food the size of an an entire country.

2. Don’t eat when you’re not hungry

Especially because I’m a mommy of littles and the kids’ snacks are readily available at every moment of the day, I sometimes become a snacking machine. I subconsciously shove bites of food in my mouth all through the day if I’m not careful. So if I don’t have time to make a meal plan, but I know I need to be intentional, I’ll remind myself to only eat when I’m actually hungry.

When I’m not shoving tiny bits of food in my mouth every half hour, I become hungry enough for a meal within a reasonable amount of time. When I find myself grabbing for anything and everything, I hit that pause button and remind myself to wait until I’m hungry, so that I can actually enjoy my next meal.

3. Eat real foods

If you open my pantry you’ll find all kinds of on-the-go-snacks for the entire family. I even have the healthiest (yummy) protein bars that I’ve found yet, in case of emergencies. Those are all well and good until I’m literally living on pre-packaged foods.

This is when I switch into real-food mode. Instead of grabbing for the Rx Bars, I’ll grab for an apple. Instead of a frozen pizza, I’ll throw together a batch of spaghetti, or some easy soup. I’ll throw together my own turkey sandwich to throw into my purse instead of stopping for fast food. I’ll grab for real foods instead of the quick and easy processed foods. This way I’m fueling my body with healthier options that will nourish my body and sustain me for longer.

4. Track what you’re eating

The good, the bad, the ugly. Download the MyFitnessPal (free) app on your phone, and start tracking what you’re eating. Whatever that might be at the moment. By simply tracking whatever you’re eating, you’ll regain consciousness of the foods you’re throwing into your mouth, and I guarantee it’ll trigger you to think of a few better options.

5. Drink water

Try to get away from sodas, juices, and lattes. Have that beloved cup of coffee (or two, or three), and leave the rest of your liquid intake for water. Just grab a bottle and sip at it all through the day. This will replenish your insides, awaken your brain, hydrate you, give you some extra energy, and help you to feel overall better. A really great way to get some water in is to drink a large cup of water when you first get out of bed in the morning, then slowly enjoy your morning tea or coffee.

So there you have it! If you are in that crazy spot where you just can’t figure out what to eat, try these few tips until you’re ready to sit down and come up with some better options. And when that happens, I’ve got the perfect meal planner, which you can grab right here. 🙂