Desktop Dining – Healthy Meals at Work that Work

by | Feb 15, 2018 | Uncategorized

 

Many of us eat our lunches or other meals at our desks while writing e-mails and answering the phone between bites. Of course the best advice is to avoid desk dining for a number of reasons, including mental and physical health. However, sometimes it is inevitably going to happen; you are just too busy to get away. These tips may help you eat healthy at work.

Meal planning

Take the time to plan your meal before digging in to avoid taking bite after bite of food that you do not even taste.

Exercise

If you can not get away for the full 30- to 60-minute meal period, at least spend 10 minutes walking briskly around the building.

Clean and safe

The average desk harbors many more microbes than the average toilet. Keep disinfecting wipes close at hand, so you can clean off the area where you will eat.

Small meals and snacks

Do not eat just because the clock tells you that it is time to. Some people who are very busy at work find it easiest to have a few small snacks spread throughout the day, rather than sitting down to eat a meal that they may not even really want, just because it is “time.”

Beverages

Do not forget to keep track of those beverages. Many people gulp down cup after cup of coffee with heavy cream and sugar, and wonder why they are not able to lose weight.

Carbohydrate, protein, and fat

Remember to have some carbohydrate, protein, and fat in your meal. This will help to keep you full for longer.

Healthy choices

The little things count. It is easy to tell yourself that these choices have a minimal impact on the healthfulness of your meal, but all of those minute details add up at the end of the day.

Other options

If you absolutely must work while you eat, choose the least taxing project. Perhaps it is better to take a shorter meal period and concentrate on your food, rather than take a longer meal period and work the entire time.

If you choose to dine away from the desk then make those same smart choices. If snacks are what you prefer then make sure to balance those too! A healthy nut or seed butter goes great with apples, celery, or whole grain crackers….or just by the spoon! Take a lick at these desktop dining tips and keep your work world healthy!

Of you want to pack a delicious and nutritious lunch for your workday give our Apple and Spinach Salad recipe a try.  The Sweet Seed Butter Dressing will tantalize your taste buds while keeping your meal healthy.  Throw on some grilled chicken for some extra protein.

 

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Preserving the Family Meal

Preserving the Family Meal

by | May 1, 2017 | Wellness Tips

With the holidays around the corner family gatherings encompassing food is always the focus. We make time to sit and enjoy the tradition of eating together, but why is that not always the norm the rest of the year? Life becomes busy, after school activities or work commitments may get you home late, and dinner together becomes deserted.

Family meal time is a wonderful opportunity to share experiences with each other. Children learn a great deal of eating habits, family attitudes and values when you sit down as a family. Meal time is important family time that will help your child in so many ways. Keep it simple and enjoy each other…that is what it is all about!

Surveys show families believe it’s very important to eat together, but between juggling work schedules, kids’ activities and the like, getting a nutritious meal on the table – and getting everyone at the table to eat it – isn’t easy. Here are some tips for serving a quick and nutritious dinner on the run and ways to make the family meal more enjoyable.

Family Meal Tips:

  • Plan your meals ahead of time. Making a weekly meal plan and keeping your pantry and freezer stocked up can save a lot of time. Create a shopping list and make the time to go to the grocery store on a weekend. It will be much easier to make dinner if you know what you want to make and you have all the ingredients in the house.
  • Crock-pot cooking. If you’re working late, check out some healthy crock pot recipes. Or cook a bit more on the weekends and freeze meals in individual portions.
  • Make it simple. A healthy home-made meal doesn’t have to take hours. Grilled chicken and veggies only takes half an hour to make and is an enjoyable meal.Plan your meals ahead of time. Making a weekly meal plan and keeping your pantry and freezer stocked up can save a lot of time. Create a shopping list and make the time to go to the grocery store on a weekend. It will be much easier to make dinner if you know what you want to make and you have all the ingredients in the house.
  • Crock-pot cooking. If you’re working late, check out some healthy crock pot recipes. Or cook a bit more on the weekends and freeze meals in individual portions.
  • Make it simple. A healthy home-made meal doesn’t have to take hours. Grilled chicken and veggies only takes half an hour to make and is an enjoyable meal.
  • Engage kids in meal prep for family dinner. Children are more likely to eat better when they help with meal preparation responsibilities like setting the table or stirring a batter. Most kids enjoy being involved in the cooking process. Admire their efforts! Being engage in cooking healthy meals at an early age can improve long term cooking skills and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
  • Eat together at the table. It’s easier to talk to each other when you are face to face.
  • During mealtime, focus on each other by turning off the TV, cell phones and even iPods.
  • Keep mealtime a fun time for the family to catch up and share their day.
  • Parents and older siblings can be a great role model for good eating habits.
  • Keep it fun. Kids can make name cards for their seats.
  • Keep meals from lasting too long. If your child gets fussy, let them be excused and take their plate to the sink.
  • Introduce one new food item at least 3 times a week.

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