Healthy Eating At Work
With high work pressure and increasing stress levels, most employees barely get time to think about their diet or to follow a health regime. We all know that to survive in this competitive environment, you have to go that extra mile to get noticed at your work place. But that does not mean you have to compromise with your health. There are many ways, you can ensure your nutrient intake is sufficient for the whole day.
Firstly, it is important to have breakfast, before you leave home. This is the most essential meal of the day, as it provides you with vigour for the whole day. For workingwomen, it is very important to have milk for breakfast, and a combination of milk with oats or low calorie bran flakes is ideal, as it is easy to make and provides you with calcium and the essential nutrients. If you have the time, you can also scramble 2-4 eggs and eat, as it will provide you with enough protein and cut out the carbohydrates.
While you are at work, you are bound to be tempted to have several cups of coffee, but avoid this temptation. A cup of coffee a day begins to harm you, once you start having more than a cup a day, your calorie intake due to sugar and caffeine intake increases body weight much faster.
You may have too much work piled up at office, you may be in a meeting, or you may be just too consumed with work, to realize you have skipped a meal or what you are eating is absolutely unhealthy. The first rule is to choose your food wisely. If you are in a meeting and you have been served working lunch, don’t stuff yourself with the cheese pizzas and sandwiches. Instead, go for the salads or pizzas with more green. Instead of Coke, ask for water or a fruit juice.
Make it a point to be one of those people who can eat what they have brought from home, and on time. Make yourself a salad with a few chicken cubes and with low fat salad topping. If you need bread make sure, it’s brown. This type of meal is high in fibre and protein and helps you control, even lose weight.
After you get home, you tend to indulge in a snack, and so you tend to eat either fried or sweet food. Keep reminding yourself that you have not indulged in any strenuous physical activity and you can always supplement the snack with fruits, nuts, or a protein. Avoid binging on valueless carbohydrates.
Lastly, remember to have an early dinner rich in protein that includes meat and leafy vegetables to give you an ideal diet for the whole day. And most importantly, remember to get at least 45 minutes of exercise, five days a week to keep your body in good shape and stay fit.
Daryl Conant. M.Ed.