Keeping It Real (PALEO) At 7-11

What a challenge.  "You've GOT to be kidding me!", you may be thinking.

Nope.

As one of the most common pieces of feedback I get from clients is something along the lines of "I didn't have time to cook" or "I ended up at a restaurant with no healthy choices".

I remember one client in particular was appalled when I told him I'd eaten at The Cheesecake Factory.  "Nell!", he said in horror, "I can't believe you let me down!  How could you have eaten cheesecake?  You're my healthy eating role model!".  His jaw dropped when I explained that just because I'd eaten at The Cheesecake Factory, it didn't mean I had cheesecake, or ANY junk, for that matter.  In fact, I'd eaten a Petit Filet with a side of steamed broccoli.

OK- back to the topic- 7-11 is probably the LAST place you'd think of when conjuring up images of places to get a healthy bite to eat.  SO- here comes the CAVEAT- I am NOT suggesting you make a habit of going to the local 7-11 or mini mart.   Think "IN A PINCH" here…

I have ventured into 7-11 in a pinch myself- both during a road trip as well as a training bike ride that went longer than planned.

Here are some of the things I've found:

• Hard boiled eggs 
• Turkey & chicken meat (after discarding the bread and cheese from a sandwich)
• Fresh, whole fruit like apples and oranges
• Peanut-free, nothing added nuts
• Canned tuna
• Peanut-free flavors of LARABAR
• Nothing added dried fruit (this one particular to during a workout)
• I have even seen iceberg lettuce salads

So- no, the eggs were not likely cage free or Omega 3, the turkey was probably not organic and the canned tuna is indeed high in sodium.  Again- the theme is to think creatively, and don't allow yourself to think that it's all or nothing.  The items above are still far better options than the rank, cheese and pepperoni pizza that's been in that warming-oven conveyor belt thing for who knows how long, the 64 ounce blue icey- drink that resembles anti freeze and the ice cream sundae that is dairy free, but has plenty of hydrogenated oils in it…

As always- think outside the box, as we often must, when following the Paleo lifestyle and you'll set yourself up to continue to feel great, rather than defaulting and feeling like….you know what!