Start the morning with breakfast. Don’t skip it, no matter how busy you are. Eggs and toast is a dish that’s easy to get at any hotel, event space or restaurant; it's also easy to make at home. You need only two ingredients! This match made in heaven will give you energy with carbs from the toast and keep you full with fiber from whole grains and protein from the egg. There’s also flexibility in this dish. Do you hate sunny-side-up eggs? Get them scrambled.
Fruit Salad
For the nervous bride or groom, simple is best. Fruit salad in the most-basic sense is energy and hydration on a plate. Fruit is easy to digest for many people, meaning no upset stomach. It’s easy to nibble and easy to change up depending on the season. You can find fruit at drive-thrus and even coffee shops.
Yogurt and Muesli
Think of it as portable milk and cereal with less potential to spill. Muesli is packed with whole grains, nuts and seeds to keep you full thanks to fiber. The average muesli also has less sugar than a typical cereal on the market. It’s easy to transport and add to your favorite cup of yogurt. Pick a strained yogurt like Icelandic yogurt or Greek yogurt for an extra dose of protein. Yogurt’s nutrition composition means your body feels satisfied and stays satisfied for a long time.
Fruit and Nut Bars
Sometimes you forget to eat altogether. Brilliant wedding planners keep snacks on hand like fruit and nut bars. If you want to plan ahead, buy some and throw them into your bag that you’ll be taking to wherever you’re getting ready. Shelf-stable bars are individually wrapped, which means you can feed some bridesmaids. Remember, you’ve got to eat something so you don’t pass out.
Air-Popped Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn checks so many appropriate snack boxes. It’s not messy and it can’t stain. Popcorn has carbs for energy and fiber to help you feel full (did you know popcorn is a whole grain?). But best of all, it’s hard to overdo it on calories with popcorn if you’re a nervous eater. Three cups of air-popped popcorn clocks in at about 100 calories.
Olives
Energy-dense olives are the perfect last-minute snack before it’s showtime (just remember to brush your teeth). Because many couples never get the chance to actually eat during the reception, olives give you the energy you need to get through the event until you do have time to take a few bites. The healthy fat from olives also acts to keep alcohol from that champagne toast from being absorbed too quickly on an empty stomach.
Salted Nuts
They're easy to transport, easy to snack on and your secret weapon for fighting dehydration. Did you know salt is an electrolyte? Electrolytes play a key role when you’re sweating on the dance floor. If you forgot to have water before the festivities began and you’re sweating up a storm on the dance floor, you can easily become dehydrated. Pair that with a few dehydrating alcoholic beverages and it’s a recipe for disaster. Electrolytes like salt will help balance your hydration levels.
Chia Pudding Parfait
Aztec legend says the warriors used chia seeds for sustained energy on long journeys and in battle. Today’s endurance runners use it the same way in addition to using chia seeds to fight dehydration. A chia pudding parfait, layered with fruit and fruit preserves, keeps you satisfied while giving you a boost of energy. It’s also a sweet treat before you see your honey and say, “I do!”
Cottage Cheese and Veggies
Here's a savory option for those without a sweet tooth: Pair protein-packed cottage cheese with garden veggies for a smart salad without the mess and dressing. Add cucumber for a boost of spa-like hydration and herbs for calorie-conscious flavor.
What to Avoid
To make your day the best it can be, there are a few things to avoid before you head down the aisle. Saying no to these things will help keep you from having digestive issues and help you avoid feeling extra jittery. First, cut back on the caffeine and say no thanks to that extra cup of coffee to keep anxiety or nerves in check. To beat the bloat and avoid gas, cut back on using straws, chewing gum (especially sugar-free gum, which is often filled with sweeteners that are laxatives), and eating beans or cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. If you have an extra-sensitive digestive system, do yourself a favor and pass on these things.
