Following a healthy eating plan can be challenging at the best of times. We have to be clued up on what’s healthy and what isn’t, keep an eye on nutrional information and fight off the temptation of the wrong sorts of foods. What can be even more difficult is keeping up your healthy eating at work. The hustle and bustle of a working life can result in us negleting our healthy diets and eating any food we can. But please don’t fret because here are 5 healthy eating at work tips to keep unhealthy habits to a minimum.
Tip #1 – Choose Wisely from the Vending Machine
Work vending machines are a great way to get snacks quickly and easily. Unfortunately, a lot of the snacks on offer aren’t the healthiest. With chocolate bars, crisps and fizzy drinks on display, it’s easy to give in to a craving and pick up a sugary snack. Thankfully, a lot of vending machines also stock healthier options so you can satisfy your hunger without ruining your diet. Take a look at the healthy options on the infographic below and consider picking them up next time you’re at the work vending machine.
Source: Nu Vending
Tip #2 – Keep Healthy Snacks at Your Desk
Many of us keep snacks at our desk to keep us going through the day. By replacing unhealthy desk snacks with healthy ones, you can snack through the day and feel good about it. Healthy snacks don’t have to be boring either. Try to find out which healthy desk snacks you enjoy the most and stock up your drawers with them. Some examples include dark chocolate, healthy popcorn, beef jerky, fruit and dried fruit.
Tip #3 – Plan Your Meals
One of the best ways to stay on top of your diet (as well as to control spending) is to plan your meals. Whether you’re taking your own prepped meals in or planning what and where to eat each day, you can be sure that you’re staying on the right track. By not planning and prepping in advance you run the risk of picking up unhealthy fast foods and calorific meals.
Tip #4 – Drink Plenty of Water
No matter what you’re eating at work, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Water is calorie free, keeps you hydrated and helps to keep you energised. What’s more, as this article explains, drinking more water can actually help you to burn more calories and could even suppress your appetite.
Tip #5 – Avoid Temptation
There’s always going to be temptation in a work environment. If you can pinpoint areas that make you want to eat unhealthily, you know where to avoid when you’re feeling hungry (unless your job requires you to be there!). For example, if you know John in accounts brings in delicious-smelling, fatty fast food at lunch times, it might be worth giving him a wide berth when he’s eating. Similarly, if Shelly is known to have plenty of sweets on her desk, perhaps learn to avert you gaze.
The biggest temptations are likely to come during celebrations such as birthdays when the likes of sweets and cakes often get shared around. It’s these situations that are likely to test you the most. Try to keep your willpower strong but if you give in, don’t beat yourself up about it. Perhaps just do a little extra exercise to make up for it. After all, beating yourself is up is no good for productivity.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these 5 quick tips for healthy eating at work and wish you all the best in implementing them as part of a healthier lifestyle.
