Workplace Calories
The workplace can become a battleground for anyone trying to eat healthy, especially as we enter holiday season. It's a challenge to ignore a co-worker's candy dish or birthday cake, avoid the doughnuts, pizza & deli platters at meetings, and pretend the vending machines filled with snacks and drinks high in calories, fat and sugar don't exist. Research has shown that all these little treats lead to mindless eating and overindulgence, and can ultimately result in a weight gain.The best strategy for maneuvering the extra calories found in the workplace is to have a plan. Here are a few things to try:
- Eat breakfast, skipping breakfast can make it harder to avoid the high calorie temptations and can lead to overeating at lunch
- Pack a healthy lunch when possible, if you need to eat the lunch provided - limit portions and request condiments on the side
- Keep a stash of healthy snacks on hand
- Buy a fun, new water bottle to keep on your desk
- Avoid the vending machines, chances are you won't find healthy choices
Snack Stash IdeasHere are a few healthy snacks ideas for your desk:
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
- Fiber bars
- Trail mix
- Fruit cups packed in water or juice
- Dried fruit
- Whole wheat crackers
- Low sugar, whole grain cereal
- Mini microwave popcorn bags (low fat)
- Low fat, low sodium soup cups
Here are a few healthy snack ideas to keep in the fridge or in an insulated lunch bag:
- Hard-boiled egg
- Low fat cheese sticks
- Low fat yogurt
- Low fat pudding cup
- Hummus
- Fruit
- Veggie slices
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