Don't have time to eat healthy foods? Yes, you do, celebrity chef insists
Eating well means doing smart meal prep in advance, says chef Robert Irvine
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Making healthy decisions at the grocery store can be simple, celebrity chef Robert Irvine claims.
Irvine shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital about what to buy when it comes to shopping for food at the grocery store. (See the video at the top of this article.)
The Florida-based chef and host of the popular Food Network show "Restaurant: Impossible" offered his advice for those looking to eat healthfully at home.
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"Don't buy processed food. Buy fresh food and cook yourself," he said in a video interview.
The chef said he does it every day — even on the road when he's traveling and is away from his usual environment.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chef Robert Irvine, based in Tampa, Florida, spoke to Fox News Digital about how to keep healthy eating on track no matter what. (Chef Robert Irvine)
"No matter where I am, I don't use canned stuff. I don't use pre-made dressings," he said.
Irvine said he understands that most people's excuse is that they don't have time for meal prep — but he disagrees with that thinking overall.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"People say, 'Well, I don't have time,' but yes, you do," he said.
He advised people to "make a menu on a Sunday, shop on a Sunday and prep on a Sunday."
Take the kids and grandkids to the grocery store to pick out healthy foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, advised a well-known chef and food expert. (iStock)
He said this will ensure that you have healthy, ready-to-go meals on the table for four people within five minutes throughout the week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Irvine noted it's important to put healthy things into your body while also making sure your overall health is up to par.
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"Young people [at the] age of 30 are having heart attacks today. Why? Because they're not eating correctly and [not] exercising," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Irvine added, "I just feel that we have to be smart in terms of what we put into our bodies."
He also recommended bringing children to the grocery store to get them involved in the Sunday meal preparation.
Get the family involved in the meal preparation process on Sundays, advised chef Robert Irvine. (iStock)
"Do your prep on Sunday with your kids, and the way to get kids involved in food — and healthier food — is to let them shop with you," he recommended.
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Irvine noted that food labels can also be telling when it comes to how healthy the item may really be.
Irvine, inset, discussed the importance of healthy eating and getting the kids involved. "If you can't spell something on that label, don't buy it," he said. (iStock; Chef Robert Irvine)
"If you can't spell something on that label, then don't buy it," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"If the first thing on the chicken package isn't chicken, don't buy it."
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He started the Robert Irvine Foundation in 2014 to support the physical and mental well-being of the nation's veterans, service members, first responders and their families.
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As Veterans Day nears, Irvine recommended reaching out to veterans in your life to either drop off a meal, invite them to your house, help get them involved in church groups and other thoughtful steps.