When I read about a new study showing that working mothers and fathers often resort to unhealthy eating because juggling work and family leaves them little time and energy to prepare healthy meals I wasn’t going to write about it. At first glance it read to me like another indictment of working families — i.e. here is one more thing we’re not perfect at.

But then I changed my mind because I think this is a really really really really — did I write enough reallys? — to address. Just like you always hear the advice that a happy mom (and dad, but we usually tend to talk about moms here) leads to a happier family I firmly believe (and I am sure there are tons of studies that show this, although it’s kind of common sense) that a healthy mom leads to a healthier family. So if we skip meals, resort to unhealthy snacks instead of nutritional meals, and constantly eat on the go — all things that this study found that working parents do — our kids are more likely to pick up these habits. Not a good thing.

As you think about your eating habits and how working and juggling work and family affects them, I’ll confess that eating healthy and well is something I’ve prioritized for our family. (My husband is totally on board but I think it’s fair to say that this is my area of influence in the house and if left to his own devices, pizza and hot dogs would make up much more of the menu.)

I’ll be the first to say that making eating well/healthy a priority isn’t easy and involves making some trade offs. We probably spend a higher % of our income on food than some other families because we try to buy good, healthy, natural ingredients, including organic meats and fruits and vegetables. (This obviously means that we have less money to spend on other stuff.) I cook often, which with my nutty schedule usually means cooking late into the night so that we all have dinner ready to heat up the next day. Figuring out what to cook for the week, although made better by my use of somewhat informal meal planning, is definitely a source of stress on an ongoing basis.

To me, this is all absolutely worth it and I derive a huge sense of satisfaction at knowing that our family is eating healthy. But I also realize that with one kiddo we have it much easier than many other families and the fact that we can afford to buy healthier ingredients also makes a difference.

Still, I think it’s worth taking some steps to eat healthier, on your own and as a family. Here are a few links from right here at Work It, Mom! I thought would be helpful — and I hope you’ll share your own tips in the comments:

Some tips for home-made weeknight dinners

Quick and easy recipes (for the time-starved working family)

7 essential steps to simplify your meal plan

Oh, and one of my favorite member tips ever: Practical magic - Step away from the stove!

OK, now share some of your favorite tips to help your family — and yourself! — eat healthy when